Tampa, FL – January 30, 2012 – Stadium Jumping, Inc., one of the nation’s leading horse show production companies, is pleased to announce the official dates of the 2012 Tampa Equestrian Festival and 40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G & C Farm. The world’s top equestrians will come together for two weeks of competition, held from March 28 – April 7, 2012 at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL.

The Tampa Equestrian Series will kick off its two weeks of competition with the Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W, which is scheduled for March 28 – April 1, 2012. It will be followed by the Tournament of Champions CSI, which will be held April 3-7, 2012.

The 40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G&C Farm, will be the highlight event on the final day of competition, April 7, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The world’s top horses and riders will gather to compete under the lights during one of the premier show jumping events in the United States.

There will be numerous feature classes during the Tampa Equestrian Festival. The first week of competition, The Tampa Bay Classic, will include the $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake on Friday, March 30, and the $50,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 2*-W Grand Prix of Tampa on Sunday, April 1. This will be the final qualifying event for the 2012 World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.

During the final week, the Tournament of Champions, the $10,000 American Invitational Stake Class will be held on Thursday, April 5, in addition to the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G&C Farm.

The show will also feature two weeks of ‘AA’ rated hunter competition with some of the top hunter horses and riders in the nation. .

For more information on Stadium Jumping, Inc. and the 2012 Tampa Equestrian Series, please call (941) 744-5465.

Tampa Equestrian Series and the 40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational Fast Facts

EVENT: Tampa Equestrian Festival presented by Stadium Jumping, Inc. and 40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G&C Farm, which features the world’s best equestrian athletes. Prize Lists will be available online January 31, 2012 at www.stadiumjumping.com.

WHAT: Two-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc. The 40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G&C Farm is one of the premier show jumping events in the United States.

WHERE:
Tampa Equestrian Series:
Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 North US Highway 301
Tampa, FL 33680
www.stadiumjumping.com

40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational:
Raymond James Stadium
4201 North Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33607
www.raymondjamesstadium.com

WHEN: Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tampa Classic CSI 2*-W – March 28 – April 1, 2012
Tournament of Champions, CSI – April 3-7, 2012
40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational CSI 3* – April 7, 2012, 8 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Thursday, March 29: $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake
Sunday, April, 1: $50,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 2*-W Grand Prix of Tampa
Thursday, April 5: $10,000 American Invitational Stake
Saturday, April 7, 8 p.m.: 40th Annual $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational CSI 3* presented by G&C Farm.

Tickets are on sale now at www.stadiumjumping.com.
Ticket prices $25, $20, $10 Group Discounts for 10 or more persons.

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:
Hilton Garden Inn
10309 Highland Manor Drive
Tampa, FL
(813) 626-6700

La Quinta Inn East Fairgrounds
4811 U.S. 301 North
Tampa, FL
(813) 623-3321
(800) 642-4271

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tampa
5223 North Orient Road (next to showgrounds)
Tampa, FL
(813) 627-7625

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

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com