Stadium Jumping, Inc., announced that the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the governing body for world equestrian sports, has designated this year's $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational as a qualifying event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and for the European Championships in 2011.

The city of Tampa, FL, will once again play host to this event, the world's premiere show-jumping event, often dubbed the "Super Bowl of Show Jumping." The $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational returns to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 8 p.m.

The $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational is the grand finale to the Tampa Equestrian Festival, which takes place at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center March 24-April 10, 2010.

This year's Festival will feature top-notch competition each week at the Florida State Fairgrounds, including the final World Cup Qualifier, the last chance for American and Canadian riders to gain a coveted spot in the Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals in Geneva, Switzerland, in April.

Over the years, the American Invitational has been recognized as the crown jewel of American show jumping, and year in and year out, has been one of its toughest tests.

The designation by the FEI makes this event increasingly important for those riders that need certification and qualification for two of the world's most important and prestigious championships, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, and the European Championships in 2011.

The stakes will once again be high when show jumping excitement returns to Tampa Bay in March.

Tickets for the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased by calling (800) 237-8924, or through Ticketmaster. This exciting event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information on the 2010 Tampa Equestrian Festival, please visit the Stadium Jumping website at www.stadiumjumping.com.