Savvy Equestrian - Equestrian News

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament is pleased to offer a special opportunity to meet the 2008 Gold medal U.S. Olympic show jumping team. On Friday, October 31, at 5 p.m., the team will make their first and only public appearance together since the Olympics.

McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Laura Kraut and Will Simpson, along with their alternate teammate Anne Kurskinsi, and their Chef d 'Equipe George Morris, will share their insights into bringing home the Gold. Syracuse University Coach Jim Boeheim, himself an assistant to the Gold medal U.S. men's basketball team, will be on hand to welcome the Olympians to Syracuse. The team will have their Gold medals with them and will talk candidly about their experiences, taking questions from the audience.

Free Olympic photos will be available at the event and can be autographed during the autograph session at the close of the ticketed evening competition.

The 5 p.m. Olympic Celebration event is free, although attendees may wish to purchase tickets for the 7 p.m. featured performance that night in the War Memorial. The night's theme is "Halloween with Horses!" The evening starts with the Syracuse Corporate Challenge, in which teams of riders compete on behalf of local companies for prize money. Following the Corporate Challenge will be the ever-popular "Gambler's Choice." This unique competition takes strategy and nerve as top international athletes make their own course to rack up the most points they can. As an extra twist, the riders will take on this tough course in costume.

After the competition, the four Olympic Gold medalists will be available to sign autographs.

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the U.S. and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. The event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions and runs October 29 to November 2, 2008.

Tickets for featured Tournament competitions (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m.) range from $10.00 to $25.00 and are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) and the Oncenter Box Office (315-435-2121). A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.

Related Links: [ USEF Website ]