Pick of the Best!
Tampa Showdown! Budweiser American Invitational Qualifying Battle Narrowed to Three Key Classes
Top Show Jumpers in Tampa will go head to head for a spot in America�s premier equestrian event
January 20, 2009
Tampa, FL --- The city of Tampa, Florida, will once again play host to Stadium Jumping Inc.�s Tampa Equestrian Festival, starting on March 18 and continuing through April 4 at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL.
The highlight and concluding event of this year�s festival is the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, the nation�s premier outdoor show jumping event and a Tampa tradition for 37 years. Show jumping�s main event will be held under the lights at Raymond James Stadium, the site of this year�s Super Bowl, on April 4, 2009.
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 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.
And for the first time this year, the Tampa Equestrian Festival will be the only location for qualifying events, making those competitions more important and more competitive than ever before.
Based on money won in these three classes - the $35,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake, CSI 2* on March 26, the $75,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier & Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 2*-W on March 29, and the $35,000 Grand Prix of Florida on March 31, the top 27 money winners will advance to Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for their chance at a part of the $200,000 in prize money.
The starting field on that first Saturday night in April is already guaranteed to be a impressive affair, with automatic invitations being issued to last year�s Budweiser American Invitational champion McLain Ward, plus the other three members of this year�s Olympic Gold Medal Show Jumping team from Hong Kong: Beezie Madden, Laura Kraut and Will Simpson. In addition, the Individual Gold Medalist, Eric Lamaze of Canada, has a reserved spot in this year�s 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 remaining spots on the roster for this year�s $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational.
Riders will also be fighting for the seven coveted openings on the squad for the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in April.
The stakes will once again be high when show jumping excitement returns to Tampa 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 2008 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational McLain Ward & Sapphire
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