Defending Champion Molly Ashe Returns for $200,000
Budweiser American Invitational
Tampa,
FL March 27 Show jumping rider Molly Ashe will be
feeling the pressure on Saturday evening. At Raymond James Stadium,
the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational will begin at 7:00
pm and Molly has won this event the last 2 years in a row.
No one has ever won the Invitational three years in a row since
its inception in 1972. Others have tried but this is a very difficult
class and the competition is tough. Katie Monahan-Prudent and Rodney
Jenkins have each won the Invitational three years but not consecutively.
Molly would be setting a new record for the books if she can win
this year.
Molly
will have her chance as the tenth rider in the order of go. Thirty
horse and rider combinations will attempt the Steve Stephens designed
course. And all the riders with clean first rounds will return for
a timed jump off. The horse and rider with the fastest time and
least number of penalties in the jump off will win the $60,000 first
place award.
The
past two years Molly has ridden Kroon Gravin to the win. This year
she will be riding Concerto, a bay Holsteiner stallion that is owned
by Jane F. Clark. Jane Clark is the President of the Baseball Hall
of Fame. This will be Concertos first time in Raymond James
Stadium for the annual American Invitational.
Molly
has been under pressure before and has many career highlights. She
works well under pressure and is sure to give it her all on Saturday
evening.
Tickets
for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James
Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium
Jumping (877) 909-9436.
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