The foundation of HITS dates back to 1977 , when President and CEO Tom Struzzieri purchased Rose View Stables in Poughkeepsie , New York . Here , Struzzieri found his passion as he trained hunters and jumpers and began producing local horse shows . “ I always wanted to be a professional horseman ,” Struzzieri recalls . “ At 18 , I acquired a little horse farm [ Rose View ]. I held a few one-day horse shows at the farm and found myself really enjoying those . Around the same time , I realized that my career as a rider was not going to get me as far as I hoped , so I started concentrating more on running horse shows .”
Quickly , the one-day shows became multiple-day shows , which in turn grew into a multi-week series . Eventually , Struzzieri decided to take his show management career to the next level by launching a horse show circuit in Florida . Horse Shows in the Sun , or HITS , launched in 1982 with a tour of the Sunshine State , before eventually settling in Ocala . In the 1990s , HITS expanded to California on the West Coast , Virginia on the East Coast , and to a larger New York home . The 2000s saw the need for yet another , even larger New York home , which was established in HITS ’ hometown of Saugerties . Most recently , HITS set down roots in the Midwest with a Chicago-area circuit .
Throughout this time , HITS has become one of the largest hunter / jumper horse show management and production companies in the United States . With a focus on providing competition for every level of rider , from beginner to Olympic caliber , HITS offers a unique competition setting unmatched by other horse show companies . Struzzieri has also become an icon in the equine industry , not just for the quality of competition , but also as a skilled horse show facility architect . Struzzieri has built stateof-the-art venues from the ground up , converted former racing facilities into show jumping facilities , and added a personal touch about HITS
to existing locations by examining , expanding , and improving everything from the property layout , to updating barns and stalls , to installing his own proprietary mix of sand and fiber footing .
Now , in 2021 , Struzzieri is pleased to continue the partnership between HITS and John Ammerman to produce the Vermont Summer Festival . Says Struzzieri ,“ Our history goes back decades . I am very excited to be a part of what John has created in Vermont , and continue the history and tradition of this circuit . For John to use myself and HITS to run these events on his behalf is flattering . I am confident that we can live up to the trust he is demonstrating in HITS .”
The six-week Vermont Summer Festival will return to its home-site of Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset . Like HITS , the Vermont Summer Festival attracts every level of rider , from those competing at their first show to the seasoned Grand Prix veteran , by offering a broad range of hunter , jumper , and equitation classes . HITS is excited to bring its expertise and experience to the same great town and boutique feel that has been beloved by East Coast show jumpers for decades !
HITS , LLC is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter / jumper horse shows . In 2021 , HITS will produce 52 horse shows between locations of Post Time Farm in Ocala , Florida ; Commonwealth Park in Culpeper , Virginia ; Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne , Illinois ; HITSon-the-Hudson in Saugerties , New York ; Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset , Vermont ; and the Great New York State Fair Expo Center in Syracuse , New York .
Tom Struzzieri has served on the Board of Directors , Competition Management Committee , and Planning and Executive Committees of the United States Equestrian Federation , and is a founding member of the United States Hunter / Jumper Association , serving on its Board of Directors and as Chairman of its Show Management Committee .
In his community , Struzzieri is a member of the M & T Bank Hudson Valley Advisory Committee and former member of the Board of Trustees of SUNY Ulster County Community College , the Board of Directors for the Ulster County Development Corporation , and the SUNY New Paltz Advisory Committee . In addition , he served on the Kingston Hospital Board . Struzzieri was named 2012 Business Person of the Year by SUNY New Paltz School of Business , and was the recipient of the 2012 John W . Galbreath Award presented by the University of Kentucky Equine Industry Program . He is also the owner and proprietor of Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern , a 30-room luxury boutique hotel , restaurant , and event venue located on a Hudson River inlet in Saugerties , New York .
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A Vermont News Guide Special Publication 3