Tampa, FL – February 15, 2010 – Stadium Jumping, Inc., one of the premier producers of equestrian events in the world, is pleased to announce that tickets for the 2010 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational are now on sale through Ticketmaster. This exciting event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
 
The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational is one of the world’s richest equestrian show jumping competitions. Annually, this showcase of sheer equestrian power, speed and excellence attracts the greatest riders and horses in the world, going head to head, in a battle for one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. Invitations are offered to the top thirty-five riders from the United States National Ranking List, and this year’s line-up will be a star-studded array of some of the world’s finest equestrians, jumping one of  the most grueling and challenging courses in the world, in a test of both sheer power and outright speed.
 
The 38th Annual Tampa Equestrian Festival is a three-week event, welcoming the world’s top equestrians to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL. This year’s Festival will begin on March 24, 2010 with numerous highlights, including the final qualifier for the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, Switzerland. The most talented show jumpers in the country will attend this year’s event for the opportunity to compete under the lights during the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational on April 10 at Raymond James Stadium.

During the Gene Mische American Invitational, spectators will also have the chance to get up close and personal with each and every one of the riders, as all are invited to come early and join the traditional public course walk. Do not miss this amazing opportunity to watch the top equestrian athletes compete during the “Super Bowl of Show Jumping!”
 
For more information on the 2010 Tampa Equestrian Festival, please email susiemorr@aol.com or call (800) 237-8924. To purchase tickets for the 38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational please visit www.tickemaster.com.

The Tampa Equestrian Festival and the 38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational Fast Facts

EVENT: Tampa Equestrian Festival presented by Stadium Jumping, Inc. and the 38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational featuring the world’s best equestrian athletes.

WHAT: Three-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc. The 38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational is one of the premier show jumping events in the United States.

WHERE:
Tampa Equestrian Festival:
Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 North US Highway 301
Tampa, FL 33680

38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational:
Raymond James Stadium
4201 North Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33607

WHEN: Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suncoast Internationale – March 24-28, 2009
Tampa Classic CSI 2*-W – March 31- April 4, 2009
Tournament of Champions, CSI – April 6 -10 , 2009
38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational CSI 3* – April 10, 2009, 8 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Thursday, April 1, 1:00 pm, $30,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake
Saturday, April 3, 6:00 p.m., $5,000 WCHR Handy Hunter Classic
Sunday, April, 4, 2:00 p.m. – $50,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 2*-W Grand Prix of Tampa
Wednesday, April 7, 1:00 pm, $30,000 Grand Prix of Florida CSI
Saturday, April 10, 7:00 p.m. – 38th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational CSI 3*

Directions
From Tampa or St. Pete/Clearwater via I-275 to I-4 Eastbound
Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: From I-4 Eastbound only, take Exit #6 for Orient Rd. and turn right off the ramp. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance immediately on the left-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

From Lakeland/Orlando area via I-4 Westbound
Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: Travel on I-4 West toward Tampa to Exit #7 toward US-92 W / HILLSBOROUGH AVE and merge onto E. HILLSBOROUGH AVE. Proceed to the light at Orient Road and turn left. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the left-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

Traveling from I-75 North/South (from Ocala/Sarasota area)
Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: Traveling north on I-75, take Exit #260 (B) and merge LEFT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD (aka SR-574 West). Traveling south on I-75, take Exit #260 and merge RIGHT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD. Go west for 2.5 miles and pass the light at U.S. Hwy. 301. Keep proceeding on MLK, Jr. Blvd. to the next light which is ORIENT RD. Make a right at Orient Road. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the right-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

THE FACILITY:
Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, Tampa, FL
All arenas have a separate warm-up area with all-weather footing
Grand Prix Field 250′ x 350′ all weather footing
Covered Ring 165′ x 300′ clay/sand mixture
Annex Ring 150′ x 275′ all weather footing
Indoor Ring 130′ x 250′ clay/sand mixture

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Outdoor Stadium Arena 150′ x 360′ bermuda sod grass

HOTELS (in Tampa, more listed in prize list):
Hilton Garden Inn
TEF rate of $89.00 per night
10309 Highland Manor Drive
 Tampa, FL
(813) 626-6700

La Quinta Inn East Fairgrounds
4811 U.S. 301 North
Tampa, FL
(813) 623-3321
(800) 642-4271
 
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tampa
5223 North Orient Road (next to showgrounds)
Tampa, FL
(813) 627-7625

SpringHill Suites
4835 W. Cypress Street
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 639-9600
(888) 236-2427

STADIUM JUMPING INC.: Corporate Office
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874