The mission of the Syracuse Invitational is to develop the sport of Showjumping by offering value to the sponsors, the public and the competitors. By bringing this tournament to Syracuse, the Maddens have committed to bring new business to the city and to help develop Central New York as a sporting capital. Further, as a not-for-profit tournament, the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament will benefit worthy area organizations, the Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.

We enjoyed Susan Harris's demonstration of the Visible Horse, especially the parts about the connection of the tongue muscle to the horse's front legs. "Zippy" (a grandmother pony) demonstrated movements on the lunge line on the flat and over a little fence so we could see the colorful painted muscles and bones move.

Then, of course...there was the jumping. WOW. Great celebrities competed, including two young men from the Netherlands. They did very well.

A group from Morrisville demonstrated their training techniques for the western art of "reining". This demo was REALLY interseting to me.

Heather, Pam and I did some fun shopping....got "pinked".

Then it was back to the colliseum to watch the $75K Budweiser Championship. The finale included a demonstration of the great Clydesdales. WOW...what a day.

For more photos and press releases...please link to this site: http://www.syracuseinvitational.com/PressRelease.htm