The Board of Directors of the Syracuse Invitational and the 127th National Horse Show are proud to announce a continued partnership in 2010 along with significant changes planned for the 2010 tournament.

"It is a massive financial undertaking to put on an indoor event. 2009 was a hard year for us, but we are optimistic about 2010. These changes offer improvements for all competitors and will set the Invitational and 127th National Horse Show apart from other shows and enable it to be more sustainable in the future years," John Madden said, of the new schedule. Madden said he also looks forward to working with Leo Conroy, who has been named the 2010 show manager for the National Horse Show and will join the Syracuse Invitational team in planning.

The National Horse Show and Syracuse Invitational will offer the best prize money available on the indoor circuit. The newly reformatted Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup prize money has increased from $50,000 to $80,000. 2010 will also see the inclusion of the National Horse Show $50,000 Hunter Classic, which will be open to all National Horse Show hunter competitors. The class will feature a two-round format with three fence heights and competitors will be allowed multiple rides.

"The National Horse Show is thrilled about the addition of the $50,000 Hunter Classic," noted Conroy. "Our total prize money will now exceed half a million dollars in 2010. The National Horse Show is a top-level competition that offers an excellent opportunity for the hunter community to ride for serious prize money and showcase their talents."

The show schedule will now include six classes for the International Division that will count for the FEI Rolex World Ranking List, up from two events in prior years. The International Division will feature three days of competition. The National Horse Show's ASPCA Maclay Championship will be held on Sunday, not Saturday as in previous years, and will precede the Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup. The 2010 tournament will kick off with new local classes on Tuesday, November 2. Included will be a $500 3' hunter classic, a 3' equitation class and a $1,500 3'6" open jumper class, as stepping stone classes for local trainers and riders.

The 2010 Syracuse Invitational will offer improved stabling conditions for all competitors. The parking garage, which worked well to house hundreds of horses for the first seven years, will no longer be used in favor of indoor options. All stabling will now be either below the War Memorial or inside the Convention Center, preferable for November Syracuse weather.

Additional changes will include new guidelines for acceptance into the low and medium junior/amateur-owner jumpers. Traditionally, these divisions have been very popular, boasting long waiting lists and acceptances were based solely on a first-come basis. Acceptance will now be based on prize money won in their respective heights at their best 15 shows between September 1, 2009, and September 1, 2010.

"For 2010, the Board of Directors has established new criteria for these divisions, which will allow a more fair way to gain acceptance that gives the best horses the chance to compete. This change is based on the feedback we've received over the past few years from both competitors and trainers. We think this is going to be very positive for the show," said Megan Maloney, manager of the Syracuse Invitational.

The prize list for the 2010 Syracuse Invitational will be available in early August. For more information on the 2010 Syracuse Invitational featuring the 127th National Horse Show, please visit www.SyracuseInvitational.com.

About the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament: 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. The event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions and runs November 2-7, 2010. The Syracuse Invitational is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and the Vera House.

About the National Horse Show: Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America's oldest indoor horse show. The National Horse Show Association's primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and all ancillary events. Over its 126 years of history, the National Horse Show has provided financial aide to many worthwhile charities.