The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament is pleased to host the 6th Annual Jump in and Horse Around! Program at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY, on November 3^rd, November 4^th and November 5^th.  This innovative opportunity, supported in part by the generosity of the Equus Foundation, enhances the experience of elementary school children by providing an educational unit based around the horse.  Each year over 1000 students from central New York participate in this program.

Area elementary schools are invited to attend this program free of charge for a day of learning and enrichment centered on the world of horses. The students will be engaged in activities at the Syracuse Invitational that can be incorporated at their schools through the use of educational material that is specifically developed with the NY State Ag in the Classroom program (NYAIC) for this program. 

"Red Creek Elementary School 2nd graders have been participating in the Jump In and Horse Around program since it began,” said Tina Johnson from Red Creek Elementary.  “It provides an educational opportunity most of our students wouldn't normally get to experience.  It is one of the most anticipated field trips of the year."

The typical experience lasts three hours and the students arrive at the Oncenter Complex and watch horse and rider combinations navigate over a complex course of jumps in the War Memorial arena while a tour guide explains the rules and math behind the scoring. Later, the tour guides bring the students to the Convention Center where they participate in a clinic tailored to their ages while learning about the anatomy of a horse, how horses are groomed and other related topics.  Students also are given the chance to see a live miniature horse close-up and personal.

This program is a component of the full slate of educational clinics, experiences and activities offered throughout the week of the Invitational.  Focused on providing great family entertainment and experiences, the majority of the activities are free of charge.  One new activity this year is the availability of tours of the ASPCA CSI mobile crime scene investigation unit. A complete list of activities and programs can be found on the website www.syracuseinvitational.com .

Highlights of the 2010 Invitational Tournament include the $100,000 Detwiler Fenton FEI World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse presented by G & C Farm, the $80,000 Sporthorse Cup presented by Copernicus Stables, the NEW Atlas Fence Local Competition Day, the National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship, the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm High Junior/Amateur- Owner Jumper Championship and the NEW $50,000 Hunter Classic presented in honor of Charlie Weaver.

Competition tickets are on sale for the Syracuse Invitational through the Oncenter Box Office and Ticketmaster. There is a comprehensive schedule of events, activities and competitions for the entire family throughout the week and most of them are FREE.  For a full list of events and updates to the schedules visit www.SyracuseInvitational.com.

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization that benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.

The National Horse Show was founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America's oldest indoor horse show and as a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, provides financial aid to many worthwhile charities. For more information on the National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs.org.