Ann Romney, First Lady Of Massachusetts, Will Welcome Horse Show To Worcester & Talk About Her Involvement In Equestrian Sports

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 1:30 pm, there will be a press conference in the lobby of Worcester's Centrum Centre to mark the return visit of the Marshall & Sterling League National Indoor Finals Horse Show. "On behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Governor Romney, we are thrilled to welcome the 2004 Marshall & Sterling League National Indoor Finals Horse Show back to Worcester," said First Lady Ann Romney. "As a longtime participant of equestrian competitions, we are not only proud to be associated with this great event but also are keenly aware of the positive economic impact and exposure it brings to Worcester and the Central Massachusetts region."

Coming on the heels of the summer Olympics, the five-day event will showcase the highest levels of show jumping and the best hunter competitions anywhere to be seen in New England. About 2,000 horsemen will take part in the horse show from Sept. 22-26. The event culminates with the $100,000 Grand Prix on Sunday. The show is produced by HITS (Horse Shows In The Sun), creators of the Marshall & Sterling League, and will award more than $250,000 in prize money during the competition. Go to online newsroom for background materials: http://www.hitsshows.com/marshallsterling/newsroom.html

The press conference will begin in the arena lobby and will be followed by a jumping demonstration on the arena floor at approximately 1:50 pm. Press conference speakers include Ann Romney, First Lady of Massachusetts; Worcester City Manager Michael O'Brien; Tom Struzzieri, founder of HITS; and Robert Johnson, President/CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA), the exclusive non-profit partner of the horse show. Horsemen, as well as representatives from the Worcester Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Mass. Sports & Entertainment Commission, will be available to talk with reporters. SOMA volunteer and riding coach Barbara DeNitto and two of the SOMA riders will also be on hand.

This year, Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) has partnered with HITS in order to bring greater awareness to their competitions, in particular their fall equestrian tournament. SOMA athletes will have an opportunity to demonstrate some of their skills in a 15-minute exhibition in the arena on Saturday at 6 pm. Following the riding demonstration on Saturday evening, a lifetime achievement award will be presented to Barbara DeNitto, a remarkable woman who has devoted nearly 20 years of her life to SOMA riders.