Michael Morrissey Leads $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Standings
Equestrian News Release

Tampa, FL - March 27, 2009 - Michael Morrissey vaulted to the lead of the $200,00 Budweiser American Invitational standings after earning second place during yesterday's $35,000 Welcome Stake at the Tampa Bay Classic.

The $35,000 Welcome Stake was the first qualifier for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational. Keean White of Canada currently stands in second place, while Lauren Hough follows in third.

The Tampa Equestrian Festival is currently being hosted at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center located on the Florida State Fairgrounds, and will continue through Saturday, April 4.

The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI 4*, under the lights at Raymond James Stadium, on April 4, 2009, is again the grand finale to this year's festival.

Over the years, the American Invitational has been recognized as the crown jewel of American show jumping, and year in and year out, it has been one of its toughest tests.

The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, at Raymond James Stadium, brings together an elite group of international equestrians to compete for one of the richest purses in all of show jumping. The unique invitation-only format assures the best possible starting field.

The following events remain as qualifiers for this year's Budweiser American Invitational:

March 29: $75,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 3*-W

April 1: $35,000 Grand Prix of Florida CSI

Here, are the latest standings for this year's contest, based on money won in WEF qualifying events.

THE LATEST BUDWEISER AMERICAN INVITATIONAL STANDINGS

As of 3/27/09

PLACE TOTAL $ TOTAL PT RIDER NAT TBC100 tbc 100 TBC101 tbc101

1 $7,500 57 MICHAEL MORRISSEY USA $7,500 57

2 $2,300 54 KEEAN WHITE CAN $2,300 54

3 $1,950 53 LAUREN HOUGH USA $1,950 53

4 $1,600 52 LESLIE HOWARD USA $1,600 52

5 $750 49.5 CHRIS KAPPLER USA $750 49.5

$750 49.5 CLARA LINDNER USA $750 49.5

$750 49.5 LAURA LINBACK USA $750 49.5

8 $500 44 HENRI KOVACS HUN $500 44

$500 46 MARY SHIRLEY USA $500 46

$500 47 REBECCA JOHANSON HOFMANN USA $500 47

11 $0 43 HILLARY DOBBS USA 43

12 $0 42 CARA RAETHER USA 42

13 $0 40 KENT FARRINGTON USA 40

14 $0 39 SHANE SWEETNAM IRL 39

15 $0 34 DEBBIE STEPHENS USA 34

16 $0 31 JENNA THOMPSON CAN 31

17 $0 29 LJUBOV KOCHETOVA RUS 29

18 $0 28 GEORGINA BLOOMBERG USA 28

19 $0 27 MARIO DESLAURIERS CAN 27

20 $0 26 JAMES BENEDETTO USA 26

21 $0 25 CHRISTINE MCCREA USA 25

22 $0 24 KRISTEN VANDERVEEN USA 24

23 $0 23 CHARLIE JAYNE USA 23

24 $0 20 FILIP AMRAM TUR 20

25 $0 18 DANIELLE TORANO USA 18

26 $0 17 JIMMY TORANO USA 17

27 $0 16 KIRK WEBBY NZL 16

28 $0 15 PABLO BARRIOS VEN 15

29 $0 14 BEEZIE MADDEN USA 14

30 $0 13 MCLAIN WARD USA 13

31 $0 12 JAMES BILLINGTON GBR 12

32 $0 11 SETH VALLHONRAT USA 11

33 $0 10 MICHELLE SPADONE USA 10

34 $0 8 MARY LISA LEFFLER USA 8

35 $0 6 MARGIE ENGLE USA 6

36 $0 5 DANIEL BLUMAN COL 5

37 $0 4 TODD MINIKUS USA 4

$0 0 CHRISTINA SERIO USA 0

For more information please visit http://www.stadiumjumping.com.



Photo Credit: Michael Morrissey rode Crelido to a second place finish in the $35,000 Welcome Stake at the Tampa Bay Classic yesterday and moved into the lead for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Standings. Photo © Randi Muster. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.