Source:  Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com/Stadium Jumping, Inc.

Ten Olympians Top All Star Line-up for $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational

presented by G & C Farms

With this year’s edition of the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farms, just over a week away, the line-up for the Saturday night showdown is all set, and this year’s roster of riders is one of the best in the thirty-eight year history of this long running Tampa tradition. 

Ten Olympic veterans will go head to head at the ‘Super Bowl of Show Jumping,’ scheduled for Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Two-time United States Olympic Gold Medalists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden top the star-studded field, and they will be joined by fellow American Olympic veterans Lauren Hough, Margie Engle, Peter Leone and Leslie Howard. 

Canada’s most decorated Olympic hero Ian Millar, named to ten Olympic Show Jumping teams over the years, will also compete for this year’s American Invitational title, as will Russian Olympic veteran Ljubov Kochetova and Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios. Also in the mix is Mario Deslauriers, another Canadian Olympic veteran, who is now an American citizen and has competed successfully for the United States at the World Equestrian Games and on the Super League tour in Europe. 

Ward, Hough, Madden and Engle are the current top four riders on the United States Show Jumping Computer List, and they will be joined by twelve of the top twenty listed riders to make this year’s American Invitational one of the nation’s most competitive and highly ranked show jumping events. 

©Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com. Katie Prudent, pictured here on Sassacaia III, bids to become the first four time winner of the American Invitational on April 9 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Also at this year’s event, veteran United States rider Katie Prudent has a chance to become the first ever four-time winner in the long history of the American Invitational. Prudent is one of only two three-time winners in the thirty-eight years that this class has been held. 

Over the years, the American Invitational has been recognized as the crown jewel of American show jumping, and year in and year out, has been one of its toughest tests. 

The Invitational is proud to recognize our sponsors Land Rover Tampa, Johnson Horse Transportation, ESP, Lifeforce for Alltech, Horseware Ireland, Gold & Diamond Source, Horse Gym USA, Derby Gold, Innisbrook, Boomer Bents & Bikes and AtLast for their outstanding support and generosity.

The event takes place on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The gates at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium open at 6:30 p.m. Included will be the always popular public course walk, during which the award winning Glee Show Choir from Tampa’s King High School will perform.

Prior to the event, parking lot #6 will open at 3:30 pm for a special Mane Event Party, featuring a JustWorld Horseless Horse Show hosted by Q105 radio’s Nikki Cruz and the Q105 mobile station. 

Also on the evening agenda will be the elegant Parade of Breeds, a Segway demonstration of the course walk will take place and the Tampa Police Mounted Patrol Color Guard will be on hand as well.

Just prior to the jump-off, there will be a special performance by Arabian Nights. Also featured that night will be the 2011 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and presentation of the USET Foundations Maxine Beard Award for Developing Riders in Grand Prix sports. Prizes will be awarded for the winning riders' cheering sections. Each section of the Stadium will be assigned a rider before the Parade of Riders, later, those sitting in winning section will receive a prize. 

Tickets on sale now at www.stadiumjumping.com

RIDER LINE-UP - 2011 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm

1 McLain Ward
2 Lauren Hough
3 Beezie Madden
4 Margie Engle
5 Pablo Barrios
6 Richard Spooner
7 Ashlee Bond
8 Charlie Jayne
9 Kent Farrington
10 Kate Levy
11 Mario Deslauriers
12 Shane Sweetnam
13 Ian Millar
14 Candice King
15 Michelle Spadone
16 Christine McCrea
17 Ljubov Kochetova
18 Aaron Vale
19 Todd Minikus
20 Amy Millar
21 Schuyler Riley
22 Andres Rodriguez
23 Taylor McMurtry
24 Maggie Jayne
25 Georgina Bloomberg
26 Angela Covert
27 Peter Leone
28 Leslie Howard
29 Katie Prudent