World-class horse show opens this week

MINDEN - Commuters on Highway 395 through Carson Valley have watched giant blue tents rise from the alfalfa fields at Bently Agrowdynamics for a series of world-class horse shows.

Horse Shows in The Sun is set to open the first of five shows Wednesday. They continue through July 30.

Each show will run for five consecutive days and will award more than $850,000 in total prize money.

HITS Tahoe/Minden is expected to draw more than 1,000 horses and 3,000 horsemen to the Carson Valley.

"This show ground is the first one that HITS has built from scratch," said Tom Struzzieri, president and owner of the show series and designer of the Tahoe/Minden show grounds. "It was an opportunity for me to use my 20 years in the horse show business to design what I feel is the ideal show grounds. The site, climate and location are as near perfect as anyone could want."

Don Bently, owner of Bently Nevada, has a special affinity for horses and English riding. Although it's been more than 40 years since his equestrian days as a training assistant, Bently is pleased with the relationship between the show and his company.

"Business has been good to me over the years and has allowed me to invest in land throughout the Carson Valley. Much of it is under agricultural production, keeping our area green and our quality of life excellent. I'm pleased that I can contribute to the HITS Tahoe events through the lease of 100 acres of Bently land for the next 10 years."

The Carson Valley is already feeling the effects of the show. Dave Bolick, executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, said that hotel and motel owners are, "happy as a lark," with advance bookings.

Several businesses have entered into contracts with the show's management to provide everything from horse feed to tack room decorations.

"It is altogether possible that HITS will bring in over $20 million to the Carson Valley and Northern Nevada and Lake Tahhoe over a five-week period, with that amount increasing yearly over the next 10 years," said Bolick. "The HITS Indio show circuit contributes over $70 million to the community over 6 weeks, and HITS management expects our event to eventually be their biggest."

"I think that we will see a surge of a different type of horse riding. To watch the riders and horses is electrifying, and I have no doubt, before this is all over, we'll have a new breed of rider here in the Carson Valley. HITS may spark a whole new industry for us," he said.

County Manager Dan Holler said the show fits well with Carson Valley's rural flavor.

"It is a high-class event, yet it still deals with horses. It has the flavor of agriculture, the flavor of rural, and I think a lot of people in the Carson Valley will appreciate that," said Holler.

Holler also said that the show is a new tourism venue for Carson Valley that will enhance and compliment other tourism attractions such as Lake Tahoe, soaring and ballooning.

"HITS will solidify our reputation as a nationally enhanced tourist destination, plus HITS will bring an infusion of people into the valley. Will it attract business, retirees and tourism in the future? We won't know that until after the event, however there is a strong possibility that it will," he said.

The development of an alfalfa field into a world-class hunter/jumper site has required underground water and electricity lines to support the daily working of this temporary village.

In addition to the 16 gaily-striped tents that can stable up to 96 horses each, the site contains eight competition and warmup rings, which were constructed at a cost of more than $500,000.

To create the necessary firm base in the ring that is required by hunters and jumpers, 30,000 tons of stone dust was compacted in the rings, which was then overlaid with 60,000 pounds of ground rubber-recycled tennis shoes. This creates an all-weather surface that provides cushioning and traction for the horses.

Other temporary structures were built for the convenience of participants. For the horses, 50 pipe paddocks were erected to allow horses free exercise, and for stable hands, grooms and trainers, show organizers built a 50-space RV park.

The show will feature 300 competition classes each week for five weeks in all three disciplines of show jumping-hunter, jumper and equitation. Every Friday, competitors will vie for the $15,000 open jumper prix, with the grand prix class as the finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. The grand prix carries a purse of $50,000 for the first four weeks and $100,000 for the final week.

Coldwell Banker ITIILDO in the Carson Valley is the sponsor of the $50,000 grand prix on Sunday, July 16.

"I wanted to become involved in the horse show because I know it will be of great benefit to our community," said Marsha Tomerlin, founder of Coldwell Banker ITILDO. "It's a way of letting a whole new group of people know that Nevada has many green, serene pastures. We are really the diamond of Nevada. The horse show allows us to share what we have-which is awesome geography."

Spectators are encouraged to attend the events, with a free gate Wednesday through Saturday, and a $5 gate fee on Sunday with children under 12 admitted for free. There is no charge for parking.