SAUGERTIES, N.Y. — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) has once again named HITS as the host for the East Coast, West Coast, and now, the Midwest Finals for the NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Medal Finals.

The East Coast Finals will be held at HITS Saugerties at HITS-on-the-Hudson, September 6-10, during the week of the HITS Championship. The Midwest Finals will be held at the new HITS Balmoral Park during the HITS Chicago Series, September 13-17. The West Coast Finals will be held at National Sunshine Series at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, on November 1-5.

In addition to the NCEA Finals, HITS will host the NCEA Medal qualifying classes at all of its winter, spring, summer and fall show circuits nationwide throughout 2017.

“The NCEA National Advisory Board is excited to have HITS as our partner again in now our second year of holding NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Medal classes, and to have expanded the Finals to be hosted in three locations,” said NCEA National Advisory Board member Tom O’Mara.

The 3’3” NCEA Medal class is intended to showcase the unique skills of competitors to top coaches and colleges for equestrian scholarship consideration, and is open to all USEF and Equine Canada licensed junior competitors. Riders need to sign up for an NCEA Junior Medal class Membership, here.

“This opportunity is fantastic for the riders coming out of the junior ranks and into the college program,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “HITS is honored to host the East Coast and West Coast Finals, and especially excited to offer the first NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Medal Midwest Final this year at the new, HITS Chicago Series at Balmoral Park.”

All classes held at shows starting on or after August 21st of 2016 through shows starting on or before August 20th of 2017 will be counted toward this year's Finals. Qualify for the Finals by competing in the NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Medal class at participating horse shows this winter, spring, summer and fall. Entry information will be available in the HITS Saugerties, HITS Chicago and National Sunshine Series Prize Lists soon on HitsShows.com.

“We received great feedback from West Coast parents, trainers and riders that truly appreciated there being a Medal final out West; we heard similar sentiments from those in the Midwest too, so after some discussion with HITS show management, they quickly offered their new HITS Balmoral facility as Host for our first NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Midwest Finals," continued O'Mara. "Additionally, we are thrilled that HITS management has offered the East Coast Finals to be during the Championship weekend in Saugerties this year. We are now the only Junior Medal class with three finals: East, West and Midwest.”

For a full list of upcoming events to qualify, click here. The top 50 riders from each ranking list will be invited to compete in the Finals. Click here for class specifications & qualifying criteria.