Wayne, IL - March 11, 2010 - Showplace Productions, one of the top horse show production and management companies in the United States, is pleased to present the $40,000 Nutrena Invitational Grand Prix as an exciting addition to their regular schedule of hunter/jumper competitions this year. The class will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 17, 2010, at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI.
This is the first time in the long history of the Midwest Horse Fair that a show jumping event of this caliber has been planned and the class will feature a selection of both high profile international riders and their horses and local favorites.
"This is going to be a very special event at a great venue" stated Pat Boyle of Showplace Productions, "It is exciting to be able to produce a grand prix in a packed house; this venue holds 10,000 seats and they are almost sold out as we speak."
The invitational grand prix offers positions for 30 entries with junior and amateur riders competing against seasoned professionals. Regardless of their age or division, the horses and riders will need to be at the top of their game to win a share of the $40,000 purse.
Along with the excitement of the class itself, the Grand Prix will include a fun battle of the disciplines in between the first round and jump off. The demonstration will feature a western rider, dressage rider, and grand prix rider in a competition for the best routine. Following the jump-off, riders will be available for an autograph session.
The show will also feature Ariat's 'Jumping with the Stars' competition, which Showplace Productions will help produce. Jumping with the Stars will be held on Sunday, April 18 at 12:30 p.m.
The class will feature five celebrities, all beginner riders who have been paired with Wisconsin hunter/jumper trainers. The celebrities learn to walk, trot, canter and jump a course of fences and then demonstrate their abilities aboard a horse. During the competition, a panel of judges, all seasoned horse professionals including Showplace Production's Pat Boyle, will comment on the celebrity rides and score the teams.
The grand prix is sponsored by Nutrena, a brand of premium horse feed produced by Cargill inc. Nutrena is a big supporter of horse shows in the U.S., and through their continued support of Showplace Productions, provide many competitive opportunities for riders in the Midwest.
Nutrena feeds focus on delivering the right balance of nutrients for a horse's daily needs and peak performance, and are used by some of the top riders in the business.
The Midwest horse fair is one of the top 3-day horse fairs in America and the third largest horse fair in the world, the Midwest Horse Fair is held at the Alliant Energy Center located on the Southern edge of Madison, WI, just off the Beltline Highway (Hwy 12 & 18), on John Nolen Drive.
"For me it is fun to be able to actually give back to the people that support Showplace year round," added Pat Boyle of Showplace Productions. "This event is free for the riders, and I look forward to being able to give back a $40,000 purse to everyone who supports our shows each year. This event will create a lot of buzz and excitement and we are looking forward to the opportunity to see some of the Midwest's best grand prix riders compete in such an exciting venue."
Reserved seating tickets for the Midwest Horse Fair® evening entertainment are required in addition to general admission tickets. The Coliseum will be cleared each night and spectators must have a ticket to re-enter for the Saturday night grand prix.
Ticket prices are $20 for premium seating and $10 for general seating. Children under the age of two will be allowed to sit on the lap of an adult without additional ticket purchase. Go to www.midwesthorsefair.com to receive more information and tickets are available to the general public only through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. For more information on Showplace Productions, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.
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