The Tampa Equestrian Festival and the 37th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Fast Facts
Equestrian News Release

EVENT: Tampa Equestrian Festival presented by Stadium Jumping, Inc. and 37th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, which features the world's best Olympic athletes.

WHAT: Three-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc. The 37th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational is one of the premier show jumping events in the United States.

WHERE:

Tampa Equestrian Festival:

Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds

4800 North US Highway 301

Tampa, FL 33680

37th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational:

Raymond James Stadium

4201 North Dale Mabry Highway

Tampa, FL 33607

WHEN: Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Suncoast Internationale - March 18-22, 2009

Tampa Classic CSI 3*-W - March 25-29, 2009

Tournament of Champions, CSI - March 31-April 4, 2009

37th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI 3* - April 4, 2009, 7 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Thursday, March 26, 1:00 pm,$35,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake

Sunday, March 29,2 p.m. - $75,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 3*-W Grand Prix of Tampa

Wednesday, April 1, 1:00 pm, $35,000 Grand Prix of Florida, Final Qualifier for American Invitational

Saturday, April 4: 6:00-6:45 p.m. - Open Course Walk

7 p.m. - 37th Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI 3*

Directions

From Tampa or St. Pete/Clearwater via I-275 to I-4 Eastbound

Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: From I-4 Eastbound only, take Exit #6 for Orient Rd. and turn right off the ramp. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance immediately on the left-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

From Lakeland/Orlando area via I-4 Westbound

Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: Travel on I-4 West toward Tampa to Exit #7 toward US-92 W / HILLSBOROUGH AVE and merge onto E. HILLSBOROUGH AVE. Proceed to the light at Orient Road and turn left. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the left-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

Traveling from I-75 North/South (from Ocala/Sarasota area)

Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: Traveling north on I-75, take Exit #260 (B) and merge LEFT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD (aka SR-574 West). Traveling south on I-75, take Exit #260 and merge RIGHT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD. Go west for 2.5 miles and pass the light at U.S. Hwy. 301. Keep proceeding on MLK, Jr. Blvd. to the next light which is ORIENT RD. Make a right at Orient Road. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the right-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

THE FACILITY:

Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, Tampa, FL

All arenas have a separate warm-up area with all-weather footing

Grand Prix Field 250' x 350' all weather footing

Covered Ring 165' x 300' clay/sand mixture

Annex Ring 150' x 275' all weather footing

Indoor Ring 130' x 250' clay/sand mixture

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

Outdoor Stadium Arena 150' x 360' bermuda sod grass

HOTELS (in Tampa, more listed in prize list):

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Tampa

5223 North Orient Road (next to showgrounds)

Tampa, FL

(813) 627-7625

La Quinta Inn East Fairgrounds

4811 U.S. 301 North

Tampa, FL

(813) 623-3321

(800) 642-4271

SpringHill Suites

4835 W. Cypress Street

Tampa, FL 33607

(813) 639-9600

(888) 236-2427

STADIUM JUMPING INC.: Corporate Office

1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406

Bradenton, FL 34205

Tel: 941-744-5465

Fax: 941-744-0874

Web site: http://www.stadiumjumping.com