AIG Sponsors Thermal $1 Million
By Staff Report November 26, 2012
Heading into Thermal, Rusty Stewart (seen here on Bristol) leads the standings to qualify for the West Coast $1 million. (Photo by Paula Parisi)
Insurance firm American International Group Inc. has stepped up to sponsor HITS’ new Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix.
Set to cap the 2013 Desert Circuit, the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix is set for March 17 at the HITS Desert Horse Park just outside of Palm Springs, CA.
“Between our continuing relationship with Pfizer Animal Health and this new relationship with AIG, two of the largest corporations in the world are now involved in horse sports,” HITS president and CEO Tom Struzzieri said. “It speaks volumes about the recent growth of our sport and makes an encouraging nod to the future of American show jumping.”
“HITS provides an amazing venue and showcase for driven competitors and owners who enjoy success in and out of the show ring. This sponsorship allows us to celebrate that lifestyle while also raising awareness of the ways in which we can protect it,” AIG vp marketing for the Private Client Group Gina Teresi said.
The AIG Thermal $1 Million is the culmination of a cooperative effort between HITS and several West Coast horse show producers that joined forces to form the AIG Thermal Million Grand Prix League. It is expected to attract international show jumping talent in the form of qualified riders from the U.S., Mexico, Canada and beyond.
HITS president and CEOTom Struzzieri at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, Calif. (Photo by Paula Parisi)
Riders will qualify for the AIG Thermal Million based on prize money won in grand prix at participating west coast shows, and must compete in at least four grand prix at the HITS Desert Circuit. Money won will be calculated by rider/horse combination with the rider’s top money winning horse determining the rider’s final ranking.
The top 40 riders in the AIG Thermal Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings will qualify. Heading into the Desert Circuit, Rusty Stewart is the rider at the top of the rankings based on performance in the non-HITS qualifiers. But with 17 Thermal grand prix (including three FEI World Cup Qualifying classes during Weeks II, III and IV) the deck is likely to be reshuffled a few times before the million dollars is awarded.
Prize money and ribbons will go to the top 20 finishers in the AIG Thermal $1 Million class, with the first place winner receiving a check for $350,000.
The winter show season at HITS Thermal kicks off January 22nd and runs through March 17th, with seven weeks of hunter, jumper and equitation spanning all levels of competition. In addition to the AIG $1 Million jumper final, the Desert Circuit will be host to qualifiers for the New York’s Pfizer $1 Million, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix and the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix, all taking place Sept. 6-8 in Saugerties.
Short URL: https://theequestriannews.com/?p=14200