AHJF BRINGS A NEW CONCEPT TO THE
SHOW HUNTER WORLD WITH "THE LEGACY CUP"

January 2, 2001-West Boylston, MA--Through the Legacy Cup, May 1-6, 2001, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, the American Hunter Jumper Foundation introduces a new concept in hunter competition. This 6-day horse show will offer the country's top show hunters prize money far beyond that which is normally seen in show hunter circles. The 2001 Legacy Cup winner is guaranteed to win $25,000, with a total purse of $100,000, plus 50% of all entry fees.

The Legacy Cup creates a whole new level for show hunters to pursue excellence without the exorbitant commitment of time and expenses required to qualify for the indoor circuit. With the introduction of entry add-back money, the purse is certain to be the largest ever offered in hunter competition. This means serious hunter exhibitors can view this event as a stand alone goal, one as equally important as the fall indoor series that so many exhibitors spend time and money resource pursuing.
The Legacy Cup will consist of four divisions: two 3'6" divisions - one for professional riders and the other for non-professional riders on any horse except a Pre-Green horse; and two 3' divisions - one for professional riders and the other for non-professional riders on any horse. In each division there will be two "go-rounds" and a finals. A more objective judging system will be employed with numerical scores being awarded for each round from teams of judges including Brian Lenahan, Susie Humes, Patrick Rhodes, Joe Darby, George Wallace, Russell Freye, John Roper, Liza Dennehy and Jeff Wirthman. The top 20 horses, as determined by composite scores in each division, will advance to their respective finals. All finals are to be run in clean slate formats. In the 3'6" Open Legacy Cup the next 20 to 30 scores will be eligible for a $10,000 Legacy Invitational, which means the top 50 horses in that section will have a crack at prize money.

There's more! A special Under Saddle class that carries no additional entry fee will offer $10,000 in prize money. The Challenge of the Breeds will pay $1,000 to the owner of the Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Warmblood horse accumulating the most points. A fee of $15,000 will be paid to the top eight Pre-Green horses in the Open 3' division.

The event will be designed to be both exhibitor and spectator friendly. There will be special demonstrations and an array of social activities. In addition, the Lexington, Virginia area is rich in history and culture. To answer questions and provide updates, a Legacy Cup Forum will be held during the WCHR Spectacular week in Palm Beach, Feb. 14-18, 2001.

For more information call the AHJF office at 508-835-8813. For hotel reservations call 800-919-9675. For local area information call the Chamber of Commerce at 540-463-5375 or the Lexington Visitor Center at 540-463-3777.