Tickets for the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show in downtown Syracuse, NY, are now on sale to the public. One of the nation's premiere international equestrian competitions, the Sporthorse Tournament will feature the top-ranked U.S. riders and international competitors who will all vie for the Budweiser World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse and the Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup that will be broadcast on Animal Planet on January 10, 2009.

This year marks the first time the Sporthorse Tournament will host the National Horse Show, adding an additional ticketed event to the long list of competitions throughout the week. In addition, the finest junior riders in the U.S. will contest the National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship. The action will take place in the War Memorial at the Oncenter Complex in downtown Syracuse, October 29-November 2, 2008.

There are many free competitions throughout the week. The following is a list of featured competitions/performances that require tickets.

Schedule of Ticketed Performances
Wednesday, October 29
5:00 p.m.—Auditing Clinic: Horse & Rider Potential presented by Practical Horseman magazine, featuring John Madden and George Morris

7:00 p.m.—National Horse Show Opening Night
Hunter Competitions

Thursday, October 30
7:00 p.m.—Pasmore Stables Horsemans' Cup
Regular Working Hunter Stake—presented by Brookway Stables Atlas Fence 1.40 m Speed

Friday, October 31
7:00 p.m.—Syracuse Corporate Team Challenge
CN Gambler's Choice

Saturday, November 1
2:00 p.m.—TK99 Speed Derby
Empire Tractor Ride & Drive
National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Final Round

7:00 p.m.—Budweiser FEI World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse

Sunday, November 2
2:00 p.m.—Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup (to be televised on January 10, 2009, on Animal Planet)

Ticket information: Tickets for featured Tournament competitions (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.) range from $10.00 to $25.00 and are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) and the Oncenter Box Office (315-435-2121). Fans who plan to attend competition all week can buy packaged tickets at 25% off at the following P&C locations in the Syracuse area: Nottingham, Fulton, Skaneateles, Cazenovia and Fayetteville. Competitions not listed above as ticketed are free. Visit www.syracuseinvitational.com for full details and to learn of updated events and times and clinic and educational program schedules.

In addition to the competition in the arena, the Tournament offers a free equestrian expo with shopping, dining, exhibits, children's activities, live entertainment, the Budweiser Clydesdales and a host of educational demonstrations and lectures.

Each fall the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the U.S. and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House. More information is available at www.syracuseinvitational.com.