Gold
Medal Pan Am Team Heads List of Show Jumpings Best Set to Compete
at $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Presented by the Tampa
Tribune
Tampa,
FloridaMarch 11, 2004The four riders who won the team
Gold Medal for the United States at the 2003 Pan American Games
in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republican head the list of 30 riders
expected to compete in show jumpings most prestigious event,
the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, presented by Publix
and the Tampa Tribune, when it returns to Raymond James Stadium
in Tampa, FL, on Saturday night, April 3.
As
the Pan Am Gold MedalistsChris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ; Margie
Engle of Wellington, FL; Lauren Hough, also of Wellington; and Beezie
Madden of Cazenovia NYall receive an automatic berth in this
years showdown at the stadium. Kappler, who also won the individual
Silver at the Pan Am Games, is the defending champion of the Invitational
and will be looking to become only the third rider (joining Michelle
McEvoy and Molly Ashe) to win the title two straight years.
Engle,
who won the individual Bronze at Pan Am last summer, suffered a
broken leg during Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) competition in
Wellington on Friday the 13th of February and there is much speculation
as to whether or not she will be able to return in time for this
years event.
The
$200,000 Budweiser American Invitational is often referred to as
the Super Bowl of Show Jumping and it is the culminating
event of the Winter Equestrian Festival, a 10-week show jumping
series that hosts horses and riders from all over the United States
and several other countries. Thousands of classes are held during
the Festival and it is the highlight of the winter months for many
riders in the hunter and jumper disciplines.
In addition to the Pan Am team, other top Grand Prix riders are
hoping to qualify for the 32nd annual $200,000 Budweiser American
Invitational. Although hundreds of riders all hope for the chance
to ride in one of the biggest events in all equestrian sport, only
30 are invited. Invitations are issued to the top four riders in
the 2003/2004 American Grandprix Association (AGA) Rider of the
Year standings (as of March 28, 2004); two riders nominated by the
Organizing Show Committee; and the top money-earners in the $230,000
WEF Challenge Cup Series.
One
characteristic that distinguishes the $200,000 Budweiser American
Invitational from other show jumping events is that each rider may
compete on only one horse, a rule that has not wavered since its
initiation in 1975.
At
the Budweiser American Invitational, the stands fill up with 20,000
horse-loving fans that come to watch the best of the best compete
for the $60,000 first place prize. Spectators travel from all over
to see the top horses and riders battle it out under the lights
of Raymond James Stadium, home of the 2003 Super Bowl Champion Tampa
Bay Buccaneers.
Many
memorable rides have been turned in at this invitation-only event.
Some of these rides include Melanie Smiths mad dash to the
finish to gain the win on Calypso in 1982 and Greg Bests ride
on the legendary Gem Twist in 1989 when the pair took first place
less than one year after their double-Silver medal performance at
the 1988 Olympic Games.
Kappler, who last year on Royal Kaliber defeated the two-time defending
champion Molly Ashe, will be returning to the Budweiser American
Invitational this year hoping for a third overall victory. I
am really excited to be able to go back to Raymond James Stadium
for the 2004 Budweiser American Invitational, said Kappler
whose 2003 win followed his win in 1995 aboard Seven Wonder when
he rode the only clear round and eliminated the need for a jump-off.
A
highlight of every years Budweiser American Invitational is
the induction of equestrian luminaries into the Show Jumping Hall
of Fame. Last years inductees were two of show jumpings
most well respected horsemen, Harry R. Gill and Clarence L. Honey
Craven, and two show jumping legends, Frank Chapots Gem Twist
and Melanie Smith Taylors Calypso. The two men and the two
Olympic medal-winning horses contributed so much to equestrian sports
and they will now be honored forever. Gem Twist was present at the
induction, bouncing around in his gleaming silver coat. Melanie
Smith Taylor flew in from Memphis to proudly accept the award on
behalf of her deceased mount Calypso, Lyps.
Year after year, history has been made at the Budweiser American
Invitational. From when it was the first jumping competition to
be held underneath stadium lights in 1974, to when it received the
official sponsorship by Anheuser-Busch in 1979, to the CBS coverage
of the American Invitational in 1986, the Invitational has evolved
to be one of the premier show jumping events in the world. Another
history-making moment could happen this year at the Budweiser American
Invitational. Who will be named the winner, and what history will
be made this year is not yet certain, but one sure thing is that
this years event will again provide us with thrills and excitement.
2004
WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show
days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through
Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free
to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day;
Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday;
Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on
Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson
Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit
www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.
For
ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune, visit www.TicketMaster.com
2004
WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS
March
18 21 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y
(Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)
March
24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
March
30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian
Center)
April
3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)
WEF
2004 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES
March
28 $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W
April
3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational,
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune
CHARLOTTE
JUMPER CLASSIC CSI****
Charlotte
Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
April
9 -11 Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI****
April
11 $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte For the Charlotte Bobcat Cup
.
|