2009 Charlotte Jumper Classic Upcoming

The 2009 Charlotte Jumper Classic, CSI 5* will be held on April 10-12 at the Time Warner Cable Arena. It promises to be one of the biggest and best show jumping events in the United States this year for juniors, amateur-owners, and international open jumpers. The top international show jumpers in the nation will be vying for a purse of $450,000 in the Grand Prix of Charlotte, plus an additional $80,000 in four open jumper classes. Junior and Amateur Jumpers will compete for $55,000 in prize money. The purses, along with the exciting venue and the best riders in the world, show why the Charlotte Jumper Classic is one of America's premier equestrian competitions.
 
The biggest class of the week is the $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSI 5*, for the Charlotte Bobcats Cup. It will be held on Sunday, April 12, at 3 p.m. The class has the highest international show jumping rating given in the world, which makes it an important class for show jumpers who want to earn points towards their international ranking. The class will be held as a two-round format, and the winner of the class will take home the lion's share of the prize money.
 
The international jumpers will battle for $80,000 in prize money in their first three classes of competition at the Charlotte Jumper Classic. The $25,000 Charlotte Welcome Stake, CSI runs on Friday, April 10, at 8 p.m. Their second class, a speed competition for $15,000 in prize money, will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Their accumulator class, which also offers a $15,000 purse, is on Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
Following the Accumulator class for international riders is the always exciting puissance competition, which will offer $25,000 in prize money. The puissance is a power competition in which riders try to clear a wall. It is raised in height for each round until a winner is found. The puissance class in Charlotte is one of only a handful of puissance classes held in North America.
 
Last year's puissance winner at the Washington International Horse Show was Michael Morrissey, who went for the world's indoor record. He will be at this year's Charlotte Jumper Classic and looks forward to trying to win again at the Time Warner Cable Arena.
 
The junior/amateur-owner jumpers will compete for an amazing $55,000 in prize money over three days. This includes a $10,000 speed class on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. and a $10,000 accumulator class on Saturday afternoon. Their final class is the $35,000 Charlotte Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
For equestrian competitors, the Charlotte Jumper Classic is a must on their travel schedule, not only for the incredible prize money, but for the great venue and top-notch competition. This year, the Charlotte Jumper Classic offers an expanded competition ring along with a well-appointed stabling area and schooling ring, including a live broadcast of competition inside the schooling ring area.
 
The $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSI 5* will be televised, and a live webcast of the show will be available online. The Charlotte Jumper Classic is a signature fundraising event for the Bobcats Youth Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of children and youth in the community.
 
The Charlotte Jumper Classic will host more than 150 horses in Uptown Charlotte and features $575,000 in prize money.

Highlights

• Rider hospitality area providing complimentary food and beverage will be located in the Backcourt Lounge
• Expanded competition ring
• Well appointed stabling area and schooling ring
• Live broadcast of competition inside schooling ring area
• Show Net will be in use
• Live Webcast of all competition available from Productions East
• Great entertainment
• Wide array of vendors
• Host hotel within walking distance of the Time Warner Cable Arena
• The $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte will be televised
• $585,000 in overall prize money