HBO to Sponsor Junior Medal Class

The New Marshall & Sterling League announced today that Home Box Office (HBO), America's leading premium television network, has become the title sponsor of the League's Junior Medal Class to be introduced in 2003. The class will be called the HBO Junior Medal.

HBO joins Charles Owen in the title sponsor category. Charles Owen, the leading manufacturer of quality riding helmets, will sponsor both the Charles Owen Children's and Adult Medal Classes for the 2003 & 2004 seasons. Other sponsors include long-time League sponsor-Marshall & Sterling Insurance, League co-sponsor-Great American Insurance Companies, presenting sponsor-Corona-Lexol, sponsor of the Pre-Green Hunter Division-Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., and sponsor of the Pony Hunter Division-The Equestrian Shop, Inc.

According to Tom Struzzieri, owner and president of HITS, "Bringing a new sponsor on board such as HBO is a welcome addition to our growing list of corporate sponsors. We are encouraged by the tremendous support the New Marshall & Sterling League has received from our sponsors, and we believe that with their commitment we will achieve our goal of becoming the premier hunter/jumper league in the country."

Since 1991, the Marshall & Sterling League has served to encourage and enhance the competition level of Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter and Jumper riders by providing the opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals Competition. Having grown from 10 member shows and approximately 100 riders in 1991, to over 300 horse shows and more than 3,500 riders in 2002, the Marshall & Sterling League is poised to take on new challenges in 2003.

The most notable enhancement to the League in 2003 is the introduction of an exclusive National Indoor Finals. The New Marshall & Sterling League National Indoor Finals will provide the ultimate goal for hunter/jumper exhibitors across the country and will feature national finals for the HBO Junior Medal, Charles Owen Children's Medal, Charles Owen Adult Medal, as well as year-end finals competition for 11 hunter divisions, 5 jumper divisions, Young Jumper Championships, and a Grand Prix.

The Finals will take place at Worcester's Centrum Centre, Worcester, Massachusetts. Worcester's Centrum Centre is one of the nation's most celebrated sports arenas located right in the heart of New England (40 miles west of Boston). With this impressive facility as its backdrop, the New Marshall & Sterling League will provide a first-class competition that is poised to become the event of the season for hunter/jumper enthusiasts across the country.

In addition to being associated with the National Indoor Finals, League sponsors will receive exposure at member horse shows. Member horse shows will offer Marshall & Sterling classes coast to coast throughout the season, thereby offering exhibitors all over the country and at all levels of the hunter/jumper sport, the chance to qualify for the Finals. For more information on the New Marshall & Sterling League please visit http://www.hitsshows.com/marshallsterling