It’s Official! HITS Chicago Moves to Lamplight

It’s official!

HITS Chicago is moving from Balmoral Park in Crete, Illinois to Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois beginning in 2020. “We are confident in the horse business going forward,” said Tom Struzzieri, President and CEO of HITS, Inc. “Lamplight has always been a favorite of horsemen, and we are anxious to get started.”

The show season at Lamplight will include 13 Hunter/Jumper shows May through September, plus five Dressage shows. While this year’s start will be delayed due to current conditions, HITS Chicago at Lamplight will be ready to open its doors the moment USEF and Local and State Authorities allow.

“Although the world is suffering, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” continued Struzzieri. “Horse sport will be back, and HITS will be ready. As it always has been, our goal is to offer exhibitors the best product and the best experience possible. We know we will deliver that at Lamplight.”

Photo by Georgie Hammond/Phelps Media Group.

HITS has already reached out to many of its Midwest customers, and the response has been terrific. If you have not heard from HITS yet, please contact them! Staff is here to help with every aspect of your planning, from stabling and entries to lodging and dining, and more. The Prize List will be posted soon, and you are invited to visit the HITS website and follow HITS on Facebook and Instagram for further updates.

HITS Chicago and Equifest Series 2020

The full schedule of Hunter/Jumper shows would begin in early May, but management is cautious and conscientious about the start date. The health and safety of exhibitors and staff is of utmost importance and updates will be provided as more information is available about COVID-19. 

  • Spring Classic I: May 6-10
  • Spring Classic II: May 13-17
  • Spring Classic III: May 20-24
  • Spring Spectacular I: June 3-7
  • Spring Spectacular II: June 10-14
  • Spring Spectacular III: June 17-21
  • Summertime I: July 1-5
  • Summertime II: July 8-12
  • Summertime III: July 15-19
  • Equifest I: July 22-26
  • Equifest II: July 29 – August 2
  • Equifest III: August 5-9
  • Fall Classic I: September 9-13

Click here to view the full schedule and to print entry forms and feed/bedding forms.  The prize list will be posted and updated soon.

About Lamplight Equestrian Center
Lamplight Equestrian Center is a 55-acre permanent facility located just 20 minutes from O’Hare International Airport. In addition to the stately Grand Prix Arena, five more lovely competition rings and 300 permanent stalls anchor the property. Tree-lined paths, perennial gardens that bloom throughout the spring and summer, ringside pavilions and a café and bar with indoor and outdoor seating enhance the experience for exhibitors and spectators alike.

The village of Wayne, Illinois, in the scenic Fox River Valley, revels in its equestrian roots. Dozens of horse farms and miles of bridlepaths prove the area is a horse lover’s dream. Two charming towns just minutes away, Geneva, “A Picture Postcard” and St. Charles, “Pride of the Fox,” boast colorful, historical shopping districts, established neighborhoods, recreational opportunities and riverside dining and hiking.

More about HITS
Since its inception in 1982, HITS, Inc has grown into one of the largest producers of Hunter/Jumper horse shows in the United States. With four multi-week show circuits at its owned facilities in Florida, New York, Virginia, and Illinois, and as host to the annual HITS Championship and the $1 Million Grand Prix, HITS’ commitment to equestrian sport is unprecedented.

Based in upstate New York in the Village of Saugerties, HITS has a nearly 40 year history of producing top-level USEF-Rated shows. A dedicated full-time staff brings more than a century of equine experience, from riding and training to barn and show management, and beyond, to their word-class shows.