Tampa, FL – March 26, 2003 – The final $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup in the series was held today and it was a World Cup Qualifier. In fact, it was the last of the World Cup Qualifiers for the East Coast League. Mehves Trak of Turkey designed the course and 33 horse and rider combinations attempted the track.

Seven horses qualified to come back and jump off against the clock. The first horse back was Libidou with Keean White up and he was clean. Leslie Howard was third back in the jump off and set a fast and clean pace with Priobert De Kalvarie finishing in 37.04 seconds. Last to go in the order proved to be the best! Laura Kraut rode Pasmore Stables’ May to 2 clear rounds and finished the jump off in 36.87 seconds just beating Leslie Howard.

Schuyler Riley was in the first round with South Beach Stables Opus Sept when her stirrup leather broke. She finished the remaining 8 jumps without the stirrup! And she only had 4 faults which finished as tied for 8th place.

Heidi Austin Fish was both Champion and Reserve Champion in the Second Year Green Working Hunters at the Tournament of Champions. Heidi was Champion with Bissinger for owner Joan Ehrhart and she was Reserve Champion with Current Affair for Woodrun Farm.

Nairobi was Champion in the Green Conformation Hunters with Morgan Thomas riding for owner Kimberly Wang Unlimited. Heidi Austin Fish rode Barbados to the Reserve Champion.

Pre Green 3’3” Hunter Champion was Endearing with Jimmy Torano riding for Anne Emmett. Scott Stewart rode Missy Clark’s Catnap to the Pre Green Hunter 3 & 4 Year Old Championship.

All results are posted at www.stadiumjumping.com.

The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational will be held March 29, Saturday, at 7:00 PM in the Raymond James Stadium. Thirty horses will be invited by the amount of money won during the Winter Equestrian Festival in designated classes. This class has one of the largest purses of any Grand Prix type competition in this nation.

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.

Tickets for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days. For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Dates for Tampa Winter Equestrian Festival
(Each week of competition runs Wed - Sun beginning at 8:00 AM)