February 12, 2016–HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) has named HITS Culpeper at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, and National Sunshine Series at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, home for the bi-coastal 2016 NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Finals. In addition, HITS will host medal qualifying classes at all of its Spring, Summer and Fall show circuits nationwide throughout 2016.
The East Coast Final at HITS Culpeper will run Wednesday through Sunday, September 28 to October 6, 2016. It will take place during the Culpeper Finals, the sixth and final week of the Virginia-based circuit. The West Coast Final will be a featured class of the Sunshine II at HITS Desert Horse Park. The NCEA Finals will run Wednesday through Sunday, November 9 to 13, 2016.
The inaugural 3’3” equitation class is open to all USEF and Equine Canada licensed junior competitors and is intended to showcase a unique level of competitor to top coaches and colleges for equestrian scholarship consideration. Both finals hosted by HITS will include a video recording of the class which will be distributed at the conclusion of the event to leading collegiate coaches as a way to track rider’s improvement and evolution as an athlete.
“The finals will be an opportunity for college-bound equestrians to showcase their talents to all the major colleges that are presently engaged in NCAA riding,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “I personally have seen these programs allow riders to attend schools that were previously out of their financial range.”
Joe Norick, National Sales and Marketing Director for Marshall & Sterling Insurance, agreed, adding, “the unique format of this class will expose collegiate-level coaches to talented young riders across the country, while allowing them to follow their development and progress over the show season.”
More information about the NCEA and the Junior Hunt Seat Medal Finals is available online at www.collegiateequestrian.com. Entry information will be listed in the HITS Culpeper and National Sunshine Series Prize Lists, available in early 2016 and on www.HitsShows.com.