Equine Seminars Offer Rare Opportunity to Meet Olympic Medalists, Course Designer, Judge
MORELAND HILLS, Ohio – August 29, 2025 – Horsemen, horsewomen and show jumping fans attending the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup will be treated to a unique learning experience during “Meet the Experts Ringside,” a series of competition-related seminars presented by Buckeye Nutrition and EquiFit, inc., to be held on Friday, Sept. 21, from noon to 4 p.m., and is included free with admission.
Spectators and competitors can tour an equine ambulance; learn the strategy behind designing international show jumper courses; judging jumper competitions; and equine nutrition for peak performance. Times of each session will be announced on-site. Topics and presenting experts include:
• Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens will be the course designer for the 2008 Olympic Games when the world’s best horses and riders gather in China. A successful rider both nationally and internationally, Stephens’ wins include the 1971 American Gold Cup aboard Houdini and the American Grandprix Association Championship in 1986. However, he is most renowned as a course designer, having served at the nation’s biggest horse shows and major international events including Aachen (Germany), Monterrey (Mexico), Royal Winter Fair (Toronto), and the Pan American Games in 1987. He was assistant to the course designer at the FEI World Cup Finals and at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
• Olympic Show Jumping Judge David Distler: American Gold Cup Ground Jury President David Distler will serve as an official judge during the Olympic show jumping competitions in China in 2008. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has long recognized Distler’s deep understanding of the rules of the sport and he serves the FEI as its Show Jumping Steward General. He has been a member of the three-judge panel that serves as the ground jury at the FEI World Cup Finals on three occasions including two times as Ground Jury President. In addition to having judged at many of this country’s most important horse shows, he has also judged at some of the world’s top events including the Royal Dublin Horse Show, the London International Horse Show and the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary. He is a frequent speaker on jumper judging for USEF seminars.
• Nutritionist Dr. John Sylvester, Ph.D. will discuss “Nutritional Requirements of the Competition Horse,” including some of the unique nutritional aspects of the equine athlete such as energy, stress and gut health in efforts to gain peak performance. Currently the Director, Research & Development at MARS horsecare us, inc. maker of the premium Buckeye® Nutrition brand, Dr. Sylvester earned his doctorate in Nutrition Science from Ohio State University. His articles have been published in the Journal of Nutrition, Journal of Dairy Science, Journal of Animal Science and Journal of Microbial Ecology.
• Tour the state-of-the-art equine ambulance and hear from Craig Kellog and Andrea Stuehr, technicians from the Humane Equine Aid and Rapid Transport (HEART). HEART technicians have been highly trained in all aspects of equine rescue, from trailer accidents to horses stuck in the mud or downed horses. A nonprofit organization since 2000, HEART’s mission is to make the transport of show horses as humane and successful as possible, providing the highest standard of care for equine athletes.
• Meet U.S. Olympians as they share their Olympic experiences during a question-and-answer session.
Event Background and Ticket Information
The Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup (Sept. 19 to 23) is a premier five-day horse show jumping event that attracts top international, professional and amateur competitors. More than $230,000 in prize money is awarded in 20 different classes. The $125,000 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup is made up of Friday evening’s $25,000 Wachovia Securities Welcome Stake, a qualifying competition for Sunday’s $100,000 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup.
Advance general admission tickets are available for purchase at the guest relations counter at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere and Crocker Park in Westlake, as well as Schneider Saddlery in Bainbridge. Tickets for Thursday through Saturday are $10 for adults, $5 children 3 to 12 years and seniors. Sunday tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children and seniors. Reserved ringside boxes of six seats for the event are $750; individual ringside box seats available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, are $50. Wednesday is free.
For more details on the event or to purchase tickets, visit www.AmericanGoldCup.net or call (440) 834-8615.
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