Horses - First Annual Fiesta Day at Indio Desert Circuit, Sunday, March 11, Will Celebrate Hispanic Culture - March 2001 - Equiworld

First Annual Fiesta Day at Indio Desert Circuit, Sunday, March 11, Will Celebrate Hispanic Culture

INDIO, CA (March 5, 2001)--Fiesta Day, a celebration of Hispanic culture, will be introduced at the Indio Desert Circuit Horse Show on Sunday, March 11, in Indio, California. Festivities with a Hispanic flavor are scheduled from 11am until 1pm. Visitors to HITS Desert Horse Park will be treated to strolling mariachis, a KUNA Radio Remote, piñata games, charro and escaramuza exhibitions (Mexican rodeo), pony rides, and a bouncy house plus educational activities and career information. Fiesta Day is presented by Avis, Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley, City of Indio, El Informador del Valle, Indio International Tamale Festival, KUNA TV, La Quinta Awards, and Valley Meat Markets.

A newly published pamphlet called "Careers in the Horse Industry" will be distributed at Fiesta Day. The pamphlet is bilingual--English and Spanish--and provides information on the wide range of career opportunities available in the horse industry. The pamphlet will be distributed at all six HITS horse show grounds nationwide throughout the year as well as at the Hampton Classic in New York.

The first annual Indio Salsa Challenge is also part of Fiesta Day. The contest is open to local professional and amateur salsa makers. Representatives from the Coachella Valley mayors' offices will be the judges. Winners in the professional and amateur categories each will receive trophies and ribbons for first, second, and third place. The overall Grand Champion will take home a check for $100 and receive a complimentary booth space at the 2001 Indio International Tamale Festival. Prospective contestants should contact the La Quinta Boys and Girls Club at 760-564-5555 for an entry form. Entrants will pay a $15 fee and will receive a souvenir apron. Entries are limited to the first 50 'Professional/Commercial' and 50 'Individual' entries. Entries should be received no later than Friday, March 9, 2001.

Following the Fiesta Day activities and Salsa Contest, the finale of the Indio Desert Circuit will take place in the Grand Prix field--the $150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert. Prior to the start of the Grand Prix, renowned local singer Pobedy Montes will sing the National Anthem. The $150,000 Ford Grand Prix is the last West Coast qualifying event for the F.E.I. World Cup of Show Jumping. This class will decide which three riders from the West Coast League will compete in the World Cup Final in Goteborg, Sweden, April 12-16. The $150,000 Ford Grand Prix wraps up this year's Indio Desert Circuit Horse Show. After the victory lap, Grand Prix riders will be seated at tables in the Grand Prix field for an autograph signing session and photo opportunity.

HITS Desert Horse Park features competition Wednesday through Sunday from 8am until approximately 4pm. General admission on Saturday or Sunday is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are always admitted at no charge. Parking is free at the new parking lot on the show grounds. The Indio Chamber of Commerce will provide volunteers as ticket takers on March 11 and will receive a percentage of the total ticket proceeds from the six-week horse show.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-10 to the Monroe Street exit in Indio. Go south approximately five miles to Avenue 52. Turn right onto Avenue 52. Horse Show entrance is ½ mile on right.