Riders at the Grand Prix level will be presented with the exceptional opportunity to compete in two back-to-back $100,000 Grand Prix, first at the Marshall & Sterling National Indoor Finals, September 17-21 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a week later at the King Shavings US Grand Prix League Invitational Finals.

WHERE: HITS Commonwealth Park, Culpeper, Virginia

CATEGORIES:

$15,000 Low Jr./A-O Jumper Invitational
$25,000 High Jr./A-O Jumper Invitational
$100,000 Invitational Grand Prix
$25,000 Pre-Green Hunter Invitational (sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen and Four Winds Farm)

DIRECTIONS:
From Route 495 (Capitol Beltway) to Interstate Route 66 West. Exit at Gainesville to Route 29-211 South to Warrenton. Continue on Route 29 thru Warrenton approx. 25 miles to 2nd Culpeper exit (Rt. 3 - Mineral). Proceed to left on Route 3 about 1/4 mile. Right on Route 522 South. Go 3.5 miles to Commonwealth Park on the left.

From Route 81 to 64 - Route 64 to Route 29 North to 3rd Culpeper exit (Rt. 3 - Mineral). Proceed right on Route 3 approx. 1/4 mile and go right on Route 522 South. Go 3.5 miles to Commonwealth Park on the left. From Route 81 to 66 - Route 66 East to Gainesville/Route 29-211 exit, South on Route 29, thru Warrenton for approx. 25 miles to the 2nd Culpeper exit (Rt. 3 - Mineral). Proceed to the left on Route 3 about 1/4 mile and go right on Route 522 South. Go 3.5 miles to show grounds on the left.

From Route 95 - Route 95 North or South to Route 3 exit (Fredericksburg). Route 3 to 522 South. Left on 522 South, 3.5 miles to Commonwealth Park on the left.

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday

ADMISSION: No admission charge Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday admission is $5 per person, children under 12 free. Admission proceeds benefit local charities.

SHOW GROUNDS: 900 permanent stalls and six permanent all-weather hunter, jumper, and equitation show rings including a Grand Prix field with grandstands located on 92 acres of Commonwealth Park.

FOOD: Specially catered by HITS staff, a complete and diverse menu of food and beverages is available at the Showday Caf, the snack bar, and the pavilion.

SHOPPING: Vendor Courtyard features 15 to 20 shops offering horse-themed gifts, clothes, art, antiques, and jewelry.

MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS: Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Great American Insurance Companies, Corona/Lexol Products, Home Box Office, Charles Owen Helmets, Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and Four Winds Farm, The Equestrian Shop, Rio Vista Products, Purina Mills and State Line Tack.

HISTORY: The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 U.S. Cup, the grand finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased the Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League and presented the $75,000 Cosequin Invitational Grand Prix at Culpeper as the grand finale for the summer show jumping series. The USGPL has grown in size and popularity since 1998, and this year HITS will present the $100,000 King Shavings Invitational Grand Prix.

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