Posted February 17, 2006

Laura Chapot Leads Leslie Howard on the Money Won List for the 2006 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational

Wellington, FL – February 14, 2006 - The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational is the grand finale to the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and will be contested at 7pm on Saturday, April 1, 2006, under the lights at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. While some riders are guaranteed a spot in the nation’s richest and most exciting show jumping event, based on previous accomplishments, most have to earn their way into a starting spot using their prize money won during the nine week run of the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival.

The thirty-fourth annual Budweiser American Invitational, a free event for those who qualify, is the nation’s most prestigious show jumping event. The event is limited to only thirty top riders. A rider may only ride one horse in the competition.

Invitations will be issued as follows:

1. ONE (1) invitation issued to the winning rider of the 2005 Budweiser American Invitational - Beezie Madden.

2. FOUR (4) invitations issued to riders in positions one through four (1-4) on the 2006 AGA Rider of the Year standings as of March 26, 2006.

3. TWO (2) invitations to be issued at the Organizing Committee’s discretion.

4. TWENTY-THREE (23) or all remaining invitations will be issued to riders based on money won in the WEF Challenge Cup Series Rounds I , II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII and the Final (does not include Round VII) and the following Grand Prix:

*$50,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach, presented by Western Hay, CSI 2*

*$60,000 Wellington Cup presented by Carlisle, CSI 3*

*$60,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup, CSI 3*

*$75,000 Bainbridge Idle Dice Classic, presented by the Palm Beach Post, CSI-W

*$100,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Masters Cup, CSI 3*

*$150,000 Florida Open presented by Cosequin®, CSI-W

*$25,000 CN Jumper Classic

*$75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W

The 2006 Budweiser American Invitational Qualifying List – As of 2/13/06

PHOTO CREDIT: Laura Chapot and Little Big Man. Photo by Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com