Pick of the Best!
Stadium Jumping’s $200,000 American Invitational Remains a WEF Tradition in Tampa
Raymond James Stadium to Once
January 7, 2008
Tampa, FL --- The city of Tampa, Florida, will once again play host to the final weeks of this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival, starting on March 19, 2008, at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
The festival, the nation’s oldest and largest equestrian extravaganza, is celebrating its 37th season of equestrian excellence.
The Tampa portion of the festival, produced by the nation’s most respected and trusted equestrian production company, Stadium Jumping, Inc., also plays host to the grand finale of the winter-long series, the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI 4*, under the lights at Raymond James Stadium, on April 5, 2008.
Over the years, the American Invitational has been recognized as the crown jewel of American show jumping, and year in and year out, it has been one of its toughest tests.
The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, at Raymond James Stadium, brings together a star studded international group of equestrians to compete for one of the richest purses in all of show jumping. The unique invitation-only format assures the best possible starting field.
U.S. Olympic team Gold Medalists Beezie Madden and Authentic and McLain Ward on Sapphire, one-two finishers in last year’s American Invitational, will return to fight it out again this year. Madden, who rode to victory in 2005 and again last year, will attempt to become one of the few three time winners of this classic with a victory in 2008.
Canada’s Ian Millar, the most storied of all Olympians with 10 appearances, finished third last year in Tampa with In Style and plans to return and improve on that performance in 2008.
This trio of equestrian superstars will be challenged by one of the toughest starting fields ever assembled for a show jumping competition.
During the three weeks of competitions held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center leading up to the main event, the world’s best riders will be in heated and head to head competition for the thirty available spots on the roster for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational.
Riders will also be fighting for the seven coveted openings on the squad for the 2008 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals, to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, on April 24-27, 2008.
The stakes will once again be high when show jumping excitement returns to Tampa Bay in March.
American Invitational Champions over the Years 1973 $15,000 American Invitational Rodney Jenkins & Idle Dice 1974 $15,000 American Invitational Michelle McEvoy & Sundance 1975 $15,000 American Invitational Michelle McEvoy & Sundance 1976 $15,000 American Invitational Robert Ridland & Southside 1977 $15,000 American Invitational Terry Rudd & Mr. Demeanor 1978 $25,000 American Invitational Norman Dello Joio &Allegro 1979 $30,000 Anheuser-Busch American Invitational Rodney Jenkins & Third Man 1980 $35,000 Anheuser-Busch American Invitational Bernie Traurig & Eaden Vale 1981 $50,000 Anheuser-Busch American Invitational Buddy Brown & Felton 1982 $50,000 Anheuser-Busch American Invitational Melanie Smith & Calypso 1983 $50,000 Anheuser-Busch American Invitational Katie Monahan & Noren 1984 $100,000 Anheuser-Busch American Invitational Leslie Burr & Albany 1985 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational Katie Monahan & The Governor 1986 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational Tim Grubb & Linky 1987 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational Lisa Jacquin & For The Moment 1988 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational Katie Monahan-Prudent & Special Envoy 1989 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational Greg Best & Gem Twist 1990 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational David Raposa & Seven Wonder 1991 $100,000 Michelob American Invitational George Lindemann & Three’s & Seven’s 1992 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational Ian Millar & Big Ben 1993 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational Debbie Stephens & Volan 1994 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational Michael Matz & Rhum IV 1995 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational Chris Kappler & Seven Wonder 1996 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational Harold Chopping & Brandy 1997 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational Todd Minikus & Ravel 1998 $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational McLain Ward & Twist Du Valon 1999 $150,000 Budweiser American Invitational Marley Goodman & Canyon * 2000 $150,000 Budweiser American Invitational Schuyler Riley & Ilian 2001 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Molly Ashe & Kroon Gravin 2002 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Molly Ashe & Kroon Gravin 2003 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Chris Kappler & Royal Kaliber 2004 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Norman Dello Joio & Glasgow 2005 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Beezie Madden & Authentic 2006 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Rodrigo Pessoa & Baloubet De Rouet 2007 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Beezie Madden & Authentic
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