Cazenovia, NY, October 25, 2006: Next Wednesday marks the beginning of the five day Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament at the Oncenter Complex in downtown Syracuse. All signs point to an exciting showdown between top-ranked US riders and international challengers. Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, who is ranked number one in the US and fifth in the world, will compete against other members of the US’s silver medal winning world championships team, Margie Engle, Laura Kraut and McLain Ward, plus a host of other elite riders, including the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa. In addition to the international open jumping competition, amateurs and the country’s best teen riders will compete for a total Tournament purse of over $350,000. Fun new competitions this year are the AME Power & Skill and the Empire Tractor Ride will show Syracuse just how high these horses can jump and which riders are quickest not only on their horses, but also driving tractors.
Trailer trucks with their loads of horses, hay and the like will roll into downtown Syracuse next week setting up the makings of a home away from home for over 400 horses during the Tournament. The basement of the War Memorial and an entire level of the AXA building parking garage will be transformed into stables. Along with the horses comes over 250 riders plus their trainers, horse caretakers, owners, veterinarians, friends and families. They will be checking into hotels across the city and sampling Syracuse’s cuisine. The total economic impact of this year’s event is expected to surpass the 2005 figure of over $6.5 million.
2006 Sporthorse Tournament highlights include the:
· National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship
· $30,000 Budweiser 6-Pack Rider Bonus final event
· National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship
· $30,000 Budweiser 6-Pack Rider Bonus final event
· Bates USA Trainer Awards; $50,000 in product certificates from Bates and Weatherbeeta
· Bates USA Horsemanship Training Sessions participants announced
· Inaugural Jane F. Clark High Performance Development Award
· George H. Morris Style of Riding Trophy
Schedule of Ticketed Competitions:
Thursday, November 2*
7:00pm Pasmore Stables Horseman’s Cup
AME Power & Skill Competition
*Thursday is college night. 50% off admission with a valid College ID
Saturday, November 4
2:00pm TK99 Speed Derby
Empire Tractor Ride & Drive
Southgate Pro-Am/Junior Team Speed Challenge
7:00pm Budweiser World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse
Friday, November 3
7:00pm Syracuse Corporate Team Challenge
CN Gambler’s Choice
Sunday, November 5
2:00 pm Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup
Along with the action in the competition arena, there is a full complement of family entertainment and educational activities happening during the entire Tournament. A “Kid’s Korral,” equine clinics and demonstrations, the Budweiser Clydesdales, a realistic “virtual polo” game the Animal Planet booth and the competitors’ warm up area will all be in the Oncenter Convention center along with fine shopping and restaurants. Groups of area schoolchildren will be visiting the Tournament during the week as part of the “Horsin’ Around” program.
Ticket prices for featured Open Jumper competitions (Thursday and Friday at 7 PM; Saturday at 2PM and at 7PM; and Sunday at 2PM) range from $7.50 to $25.00. Admission to all other events and to the Oncenter Exhibit Hall is free. Tickets are available through the Oncenter Box Office at 315-435-2121 or from Ticket Master (www.ticketmaster.com).
Each fall the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the US and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. Beginning November 1 and running through November 5, the 2006 event will feature a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions. A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House. More information is available at www.syracuseinvitational.com.
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