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| Kimberly McCormack, winner of the 2007 ASPCA Maclay National Championships at Syracuse. Photo: Randi Muster |
A packed schedule of world-class show jumping competition, educational opportunities, vendors, exhibitors and children’s activities comes to Syracuse, N.Y., during the annual Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, October 29 through November 2. For the first time in the event’s history, the Invitational will be the venue for the National Horse Show, which is in its 125th year. The National is such a big event that organizers have officially renamed the Invitational the “Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show.”
The Invitational always pulls out all the stops, with top-ranked equestrians from across the country and the world. This year’s event features appearances by all members of the 2008 Gold-medal Olympic show jumping team. Additionally, an international field of competitors will vie for the Budweiser World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse and the Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup (featured broadcast on Animal Planet on January 10, 2009). In addition, the finest junior riders in the U.S. will contest the National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship. The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992.
Abigail Boatwright Abigail Boatwright is a freelance writer and photographer based in Texas, and is the editor of Horse Illustrated’s sister publication, Western Life Today.