Stadium Jumping Announces Specifications and Qualifying Events for $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI***
RELEASE: February 7, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phelps Media Group
Stadium Jumping, Inc., has announced the specifications and qualifying events for this year's $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI*** presented by
The Tampa Tribune and Sweetbay Supermarket. The Budweiser American Invitational, America's premier outdoor show jumping competition, will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
The Budweiser American Invitational is limited to 30 competitors. A rider may only ride one horse.
Invitations will be issued as follows:
1. One invitation issued to the winning rider of the 2007 Budweiser American Invitational—Beezie Madden.
2. Four invitations issued to riders who are on the Rolex World Ranking list as of January 31, 2008.
3. Two invitations to be issued at the Organizing Committee's discretion.
4. Twenty-three or all remaining invitations will be issued to riders based on money won in the WEF Challenge Cup classes and the following grand prix held on these 2008 dates:
January 31 - WEF Challenge Cup
February 3 - Grand Prix, Wellington, FL (WEF 3)
February 7 - WEF Challenge Cup
February 10 - Grand Prix, Wellington, FL (WEF 4)
February 14 - WEF Challenge Cup
February 17 - Grand Prix, Wellington, FL (WEF 5)
February 21 - WEF Challenge Cup
February 24 - Grand Prix, Wellington, FL (WEF 6)
February 28 - WEF Challenge Cup
March 2 - Grand Prix, Wellington, FL (WEF 7)
March 23 - Grand Prix of Florida, Tampa, FL
March 27 - WEF Challenge Cup
March 30 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI***-W, Tampa, FL
April 2 - WEF Challenge Cup, Tampa, FL (final qualifying competition)
Please Note: Competitions held at the CN Open CSIO***** March 5-9 and the CN Worldwide Finale CSI**** March 12-16 in Wellington, FL, will not count towards an invitation to the Budweiser American Invitational.
Rules: The 36th Annual Budweiser American Invitational will be conducted in accordance with the current rules of the FEI Rules for Jumping, Article 238 2.2. The first round and the jump-off, if any, are decided by adding together the faults incurred over the course and any penalties for exceeding the Time Allowed. In the event of equality of faults after the first round, there will be one jump-off for first place only in which time will decide. The remaining competitors are classified according to their time and faults in the initial course. Obstacles: Height 1.60 meters (5'3"), spreads to 1.72 meters (5'6") not including water jump. Speed: 400 m/min.
Starting Order: Reverse order of riders finish in the 2008 Standings for Budweiser American Invitational qualification. In the event that any of the riders who match the criteria as described above are not present in the standings, that rider will be placed first in the order. If more than one rider is not present in the standings then a draw for position will be conducted.
Inspection: All horses will be presented for veterinary examination and horse inspection on Friday at 9 a.m. in the FEI Stabling Area at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. An FEI-approved passport must be presented with the horse brought for inspection.
Stable & Schooling: All horses entered in this class are required to be on grounds AND stabled in the official FEI stable area no later than 8 a.m. Friday. During the Riders Meeting, instructions will be given as to the time horses may begin to be shipped to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday. Transportation from the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center to Raymond James Stadium will be strictly monitored, with times allotted for departure and arrival times.
All horses from this point forward are required to wear their assigned back number whenever leaving the official FEI stable areas. Horses may be schooled only during posted schooling hours and in designated warm-up areas. FEI equipment rules apply. Horse boot and leg inspections will take place without prior notice to the co