For the third consecutive year, Wachovia Securities, one of the nation's largest full service retail brokerage firms, will return as the title sponsor for the American Gold Cup, to be held Wednesday, September 17, through Sunday, September 21, 2008, at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills.

The Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup attracts riders who compete for more than $200,000 in prize money in 23 different show jumping classes where the object is to jump obstacles without knocking them down in the fastest time. The highlight of the five-day Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup event is the international World Cup qualifying competition, the $125,000 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup, which includes an opening round on Friday evening and the final round Sunday afternoon. Other attractions held in conjunction with the show jumping include a weekend family festival with rides and attractions, shopping boutiques, musical entertainment, and more. For more details, visit www.AmericanGoldCup.net or call (440) 834-8615.

The local 2007 economic impact of the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup is an estimated $2.4 million generated by competitors and spectators. Nearly 350 top local, national and international horses and riders arrived in Northeast Ohio to compete, accompanied by owners, trainers and supporting stable staff. Equestrians and spectators from outside the area stayed at local hotels, dined in restaurants, enjoyed shopping and sightseeing while in town, which gave the area an extra financial boost in September.

"The American Gold Cup was welcomed back to its Cleveland birthplace in 2006 after a 35-year absence, and it has been very well received by local spectators as well as equestrians worldwide! We are pleased to have Wachovia Securities back as the title sponsor of the American Gold Cup," said Michael Morrissey, CEO of Stadium Jumping, Inc., organizer of the Gold Cup. "The company's commitment to the Gold Cup has been instrumental in the success of this world-class event."

"The Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup has had a very positive impact on our company, as well as the local economy. The results of our title sponsorship have exceeded expectations," said Northeast Ohio Managing Director Marc Beshany. "Wachovia Securities brand recognition and community exposure in the marketplace has grown as a result of our involvement. In addition, our financial advisors continue to report new and expanded business as a direct result of our sponsorship." The company has 21 offices located in Northeast Ohio.

One of the nation's largest full service retail brokerage firms with nearly $1.2 trillion in client assets, Wachovia Securities provides financial advisory, brokerage, asset management and other financial services through nearly 18,000 registered representatives in over 3,700 locations nationwide. Wachovia Securities is the trade name used by two separate, registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wachovia Corporation providing certain retail securities brokerage services: Wachovia Securities, LLC, member NYSE/SIPC, and Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC (as of 12/31/2007). Locations include Wachovia Securities and A.G. Edwards brokerage offices as well as selected Wachovia Bank financial centers.