Professional Bull Riders, Black Stallion Highlight Madison Square Garden Event

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (Sept. 21, 2000) – The 117th National Horse Show, riding into Madison Square Garden on Friday, Nov. 3 and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 5, has a new component that will make this year’s event unlike any in its history. The three-day "National," the premier equestrian event in the U.S., will feature a Saturday evening performance by the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). The PBR All-Star Shootout will mark the first time professional bull riding has been staged in the Garden in more than 50 years.

"The excitement the PBR brings to the National Horse Show is unmistakable," said Alan Balch, president of the National Horse Show. "As a featured event, the Professional Bull Riders presence reinforces the notion that the National has something for everyone. It will be a thrilling event, something that the fans will not soon forget."

"We are thrilled to bring bull riding back to center stage in New York City," said Randy Bernard, CEO of the PBR. "The PBR All-Star Shootout will cap off one of the most successful seasons in professional bull riding and will give New Yorkers an eye-opening look at bull riding at its best."

Also appearing all three days will be the Black Stallion, a featured attraction of the Arabian Nights equestrian troupe of Orlando, Fla. The Black Stallion, representing the famous horse from the popular series of children’s books, will appear courtesy of the Black Stallion Literacy Project, an organization dedicated to developing the reading skills of young people.

"From the keen competition for national titles and the richest purse ever for a U.S. indoor Grand Prix, to the glittering array of celebrities and parties," said Chrystine Tauber, executive director of the National Horse Show, "this year's National will be more fast paced and exciting than ever."

Some of the more familiar events at the National Horse Show will have a richer pot than ever before. A purse of $125,000 (up from $75,000 in 1999) will be at stake on Sunday afternoon during the International Budweiser Grand Prix of New York, one of the world’s most prestigious show jumping competitions.

With the addition of new attractions, new sponsors and increased prize money, the tradition of the horse show remains a driving force. Each year fans look forward to the Stablegate.com Maclay National Championship for the ASPCA Horsemanship classes, and the National Saddle Seat "Good Hands" Championship. Both are U.S. national championships for juniors. The National will also hold auxiliary classes for International Jumpers, the BET on Jazz Junior Jumper events, and for the Amateur-Owner Jumpers, the Charles & Colvard created Moissanite Challenge and the Adequan Hall of Fame Classic.

"More than 27 million people over the age of 12 ride horses every year. That’s something of which we are very proud," Balch said. "The National is a family-oriented event for those who know the sport and those who are learning. Our sport is growing and it is something that everyone enjoys watching."

Founded in 1883 and based in New York City, The National Horse Show Association. Ltd., is a tax-exempt non-profit charitable. As America’s premier equestrian event, the National is a championship show where many of the finest U.S. and International horses and riders meet to determine the ultimate winners.

The Professional Bull Riders, established in 1992, is a Colorado-based professional sports organization made up of more than 800 of the world’s most talented and toughest bull riders. PBR events draw a wide range of spectators from those interested in western heritage, to thrill seekers and extreme sports enthusiasts. The 29 national PBR Bud Light Cup events, televised weekly on TNN, culminate in October at the PBR Bud Light Cup World Championships in Las Vegas.

Tickets will be on sale Monday, September 25, 2000 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-7171 or 888-MS-GARDEN. For group sales call 212-465-6080. For more information, call Mark Riggs at 919-832-6300 x. 31 or Jessica Weber at 719-471-3008 x. 3114.