Saugerties, NY – The new arenas designed and built by Wordley Martin at the HITS Hudson Valley showgrounds in Saugerties, NY, have received wide praise from competitors following the first major shows held at the facility since the extensive overhaul of five arenas at the premier facility.
More than 250,000 square feet were renovated by Wordley Martin, a leading developer of equestrian properties and premier riding surfaces, in the spring of 2024 ahead of the 2024 Spring Series, which began in May. Competition continues with three weeks of internationally rated jumpers in July, a CSI4* show in September, and ends with The League presented by Marshall & Sterling Insurance competition on September 11-15.
During the HITS-on-the-Hudson June II Show, on June 30, 2024, Laena Romond rode Little Lord 112 to victory in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Romond rides for Heritage Farm, which is located 90 minutes from Saugerties.
“The new footing at HITS Hudson Valley has been excellent in all weather conditions,” said Andre Dignelli, owner and trainer at Heritage Farm. “We’ve had it all while showing this summer — rain, wind, and sun — and the surface remained outstanding. We feel so fortunate at Heritage to have such a top facility so close to home. The whole experience is first-rate, which is why the show has come to play a key role in our schedule.”
Steven Bluman, who captured both the $62,480 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI2* during HITS-on-the-Hudson Jumper Special on Saturday, June 22, and the $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix on Cachemire De Braize a week later, agreed.
He remarked, “The arena renovations in Saugerties have been great. What has been done has brought HITS Hudson Valley to another level; we now have five rings with perfect footing. It gives us peace of mind that all of our horses, from young horses to grand prix horses, will be jumping on perfect ground. We couldn’t be happier to have such an amazing show just one hour from our summer home.”
This was the second phase of renovation at HITS Hudson Valley; the first phase was completed in Spring 2023. Wordley Martin also completed improvements last year at HITS Ocala’s Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL.
Wordley Martin co-founder Craig Martin added, “It’s been a pleasure to work with the HITS team, and we are delighted to have been able to help improve even more of the HITS Hudson Valley venue since the first phase. It’s brilliant to hear that the riders believe in the footing as much as we do, and we look forward to continuing to work with the whole team at HITS for many more successful shows to come.”
HITS COO Joe Norick appreciates how much Wordley Martin’s renovations have elevated the HITS Hudson Valley customer experience. “Quality footing and arena design is so important to keep our equine and human exhibitors happy and performing at their best,” he said. “Not only have Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin delivered on producing these world-class arenas, but they also continue to be part of the maintenance plan in order to ensure the rings will be enjoyed by riders of all levels for many years to come.”
Competition at HITS Hudson Valley runs through September 15, 2024. For more information, visit HITSShows.com.
To build your dream arena or improve your competition facility, reach out to Wordley Martin at info@wordleymartin.com or call 561-328-9770.
About HITS
Since its inception in 1982, HITS, LLC has grown into the market-leading lifestyle management company producing hunter, jumper, and dressage horse shows. Based in Kingston, NY, HITS is a national company producing horse shows in Ocala, FL; Culpeper, VA; Wayne, IL; East Dorset, VT; Del Mar, CA; and Saugerties, NY. HITS is owned by Traub Capital Partners.
About Wordley Martin
Wordley Martin provides equestrian arena architecture, construction, installation, and footing products to create a personalized, ideal riding environment. Founded by international grand prix riders Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin, Wordley Martin has installed more than 450 arenas throughout the United States and has become the choice of top athletes and owners from the Olympic disciplines of show jumping, eventing, and dressage who value Wordley Martin’s exceptionally high standard of execution. Whether it be for a traditional outdoor arena, covered arena, indoor arena, or gallop track, Wordley Martin’s unique sand mixture, incorporating textiles and fibers, results in a dust-free surface to ideally support every impact. Learn more at www.WordleyMartin.com.