With the HITS horse show set to begin on July 6 in Saugerties, residents are concerned that the show which attracts visitors from across the country could lead to an outbreak of COVID-19 in their community.

Residents in several Facebook groups have been calling for the show to be canceled for the season, because they say residents from states with rising COVID-19 cases will be traveling to their town for the event and potentially spreading the virus. But HITS CEO Tom Struzzieri says that shouldn’t be a concern.


What You Need To Know


  • The HITS horse show is set to begin on July 6

  • Residents worry that the show's visitors may bring COVID-19 from out of state

  • Ulster County executive says health department will enforce social distancing at local campgrounds and will make sure visitors from hotspot states abide by New York's mandated quarantine

“In order to compete at the event, one must sign a release, abiding by all these state regulations, and this comes in the mail to us,” Struzzieri said. “And of course, if someone is coming to us from out of state, they’re not able to show … it’s as simple as that.

“We have officials, judges who were hired to work for us who were coming from Florida or North Carolina or Tennessee, and they’ve been instructed by us to not come.”

Struzzieri says he will implement World Health Organization COVID-19 guidelines to keep people safe.

“Everyone will be in a mask unless they’re on horseback, socially distant,” said Struzzieri. “No grouping, no spectators, safe stabling area, all the hand washing requirements; you’d have sinks in portable trailers rather than just portable toilets; we spray and disinfect the jumps.”

Struzzieri did plan to hold shows this weekend, but was stopped by the state until July 6.

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan says officials will monitor HITS to make sure gatherings are limited to what the state allows. They will also be spot checking local campgrounds to make sure just in case any participants do show up from hotspot states, that they follow the New York-mandated quarantine.

Struzzieri says he will abide by all of the regulations and the show will go on, even though spectators aren’t allowed.

“In fact, as odd as it may seem, it’s more strict here than it would be at any other business in New York state,” he said.