Posted March 24, 2006

Aaron Vale and Chris Kappler Climb into Contention for Budweiser American Invitational Starting Spot

Tampa, FL – March 24, 2006 – With only two events to go, the pressure continues to mount and every penny counts, as show jumping competitors from around the world continue their heated battle for the precious few spots remaining for America’s greatest equestrian show, the 34th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational presented by The Tampa Tribune and Kash n’ Karry.

With their first and second place finish in last night’s $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup, both Aaron Vale and Chris Kappler have moved up the list and into the fray for the Saturday night classic.

A number of riders currently in the top thirty will not be making an Invitational appearance for various reasons. Some of the foreign riders have had to return to competitions in their home countries, a smattering of minor injuries has sidelined a couple of horses and riders, and some competitors just don’t have a mount ready for the championship test at the stadium. Following Sunday’s Grand Prix of Tampa, the picture will become clearer as to which riders currently in contention will elect to opt out of this year’s event.

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.

There are two more chances to qualify for the Invitational, the $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W on Sunday and the WEF Challenge Cup Series Final next Wednesday.

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

$200,000 BUDWEISER AMERICAN INVITATIONAL QUALIFYING LIST – Released 3/24/06