For Immediate Release:
American Hunter-Jumper Association Full Speed Ahead with 2002 Legacy Cup

February 12, 2002, WEST BOYLSTON, Massachusetts - The Legacy Cup is back by popular demand! Last year the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) introduced the Legacy Cup as a new concept in show hunter competition. The Legacy Cup created a new level for show hunters to pursue excellence without the exorbitant commitment of time and expenses required to qualify for the indoor circuit. The 2002 Legacy Cup will showcase the often overshadowed hunters and give them an opportunity to compete against the best in the country for big prize money.

Top 2001 Legacy Cup winner, Red Panda, won $25,000! Leading rider, Louise Serio, took home $42,423 and five other riders each amassed over $10,000! Oliver Kennedy, Legacy Cup show manager, points out that each section offers substantial prize money in the two go-rounds in addition to the finals. "Name one other horse show where you finish 20th and leave with a check?" he asks.

The Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia will again be the site of the 2002 Legacy Cup, May 1-5. This outstanding facility boasts 750 permanent stalls, an indoor coliseum with ring space of 150' x 300', many schooling areas, and plenty of room for shops and vendors. The Virginia Horse Center also hosts the Lexington Spring Premiere Horse Show, a WCHR member show, April 24-28, 2002, just prior to the Legacy Cup.

The Legacy Cup will run one day less than it did last year. Geoff Teall, AHJF co-founder and Legacy Cup committee member, along with the rest of the committee made this change to better accommodate Junior's and Amateur's. In 2002 they will show Friday through Sunday as opposed to Thursday through Sunday last year.

Teall stressed that decisions about the Legacy Cup came from the exhibitors. "The Legacy Cup is truly run by the exhibitors. We sent detailed questionnaires to everyone who supported us in our first year and have done our best to implement changes that they asked for." Kennedy spent hours talking to the exhibitors all throughout the 2001 Legacy Cup. "I told everyone that we wanted their input and we really took their thoughts and suggestions into consideration," he says. Kennedy explains that an event as innovative as the Legacy Cup cannot be expected to reach its full potential the first year. "I think those people who came last year really had a great time. I know a lot of them are planning to return this year and have spread the word to many of their friends."

Responses showed that the one ring format and judging system worked great. Both will be kept for 2002. "One change we made was to hold the Legacy Cup on Saturday night so everyone not riding will have time to watch," Teall says. Kennedy applauds the addition of separate ribbons to Juniors and Amateurs in the Non-Pro sections.

The Legacy Cup has been granted Special Competition status by USA Equestrian. Teall explains that this status is important as it give the Legacy cup guidelines through USA Equestrian's rule book and drug testing program. But, according to Teall, "Most importantly we have the blessing of USA Equestrian."

Much of the format will be the same as last year according to Kennedy. One addition to the schedule is the Legacy Cup Working Hunter Challenge, emphasizing brilliance over 4' fences. Several new special awards have also been added. The Legacy Cup Non-Pro Team Award will go to the barn whose students accumulate the most money in the Non-Pro sections, and the Non-Pro Leading Rider Awards will honor the seven Non-Pro riders who accumulate the most money in their respective sections.

Judging duties will be handled by Kitty Barker, Jim Clapperton, Alex Jayne, Mark Jungher, Tammy Provost, Ken Smith, Steve Wall, and Timmy Kees. Kennedy says that in choosing judges the Legacy Cup Committee sought "well-respected horsemen that you don't see every week."

In each section there are two go-rounds to rank the top 20 horses according to their composite scores. A clean slate final round will determine the placing of the winners. All rounds are judged numerically by four sets of two judges each positioned strategically around the ring.

Special incentives carrying no additional entry fee add to the Legacy Cup's uniqueness. These include a $5,000 Legacy Cup Under Saddle. The $5,000 Challenge of the Breeds pays $1,500 to the owners of the top placed Thoroughbred, Quarterhorse, and Warmblood with an additional $500 going to the horse accumulating the most money. The $15,000 Pre-Green incentive will be distributed to the top eight Pre-Green horses in the 3' Pro section.

This year's Legacy Cup offers "a lot of new opportunities for sponsorship at all levels," says Mimi Edwards, sponsorship chairman for the Legacy Cup. "We offer opportunities ranging from a beverage cart or other hospitality events, to flowers or jackets." On the other end of the spectrum, a $50,000 Presenting Sponsorship is very visible as it entitles the sponsor to have the ring, schooling area, lounge, or class bear their name.

Press Link, a New York public relations firm who has assisted the AHJF in the promotion of other events, will be in charge of media relations.

Prize lists are available from the AHJF office and deposit payments are due April 1, 2002. Be sure to make hotel reservations early, as they will fill up quickly. Reliable Reservations, 800-919-9675, can coordinate your room reservations.

For more information on the Legacy Cup, call the AHJF office at 508-835-8813 or Oliver Kennedy at 301-260-2467.

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