Beginning this fall, HITS will host four $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derbies at its circuits throughout the country as part of the 2015-2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby series.

“HITS is fully committed to the USHJA and especially this program,” said HITS president and CEO Thomas Struzzieri. “We have decided that in order to do our part to help grow the sport, we should get behind all USHJA programs. This one was particularly easy because it reinforces our previous support for the high performance hunter riders.”

USHJA International Hunter Derbies highlight the tradition of the longstanding hunter discipline. HITS will host four of these derbies—with total prize purses of $100,000 each—in affirmation of its commitment to hunters, much like its offering of four FEI CSI***** events for jumpers.

“We believe that, as the leaders of the sport, it is our responsibility to offer prize money that raises the bar,” said Struzzieri. “These hunter derbies will offer the highest prize money awarded at any qualifier for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Final in the country.”

Hunter rider and trainer Amanda Steege, owner of Ashmeadow Farm in Bedminster, N.J., was thrilled to hear of HITS’ plan to offer these classes. 

Steege said, “The USHJA Derby [Championship, in Kentucky] is something that we gear our whole year towards—we try to go to as many derbies as we can. I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m so appreciative to Tom and his staff for putting this together. To have the chance to participate in derbies that are offering that much prize money is amazing.”

HITS 2015-2016 $400,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Tour:

National Sunshine II (Calif.)—Nov. 4-8

Ocala VI (Fla.)—Feb. 23-28, 2016

Desert Circuit VIII (Calif.)—March 15-20, 2016

Saugerties VI (Calif.)—August 3-7, 2016