(Syracuse, NY) – An equestrian dream team of George Morris, Ian Millar and Courtney King-Dye will lead an educational clinic “How It’s Done – Dressage and Jumping, Presented by Practical Horseman Magazine” to highlight the opening night of the 2009 Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 126th National Horse Show, October 28. It is the first time the three, each a master in their area of the sport, have taught together.
This combination of a legendary trainer and horseman, one of history’s most decorated show jumpers, and an acclaimed leader in dressage will create an amazing educational opportunity for riders of all skill levels as well as for those simply interested in horses and equine sports. The clinic will include commentary by George Morris and riding demonstrations by both Millar and King-Dye followed by a question and answer session.
“The mission of the Syracuse Invitational is to advance the sport of show jumping – literally to escalate the sport to new heights – and one of the best tools to accomplish that is education,” said John Madden, Chaiman of the Organizing Committee of the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, Inc. “Exposing riders to this level of equestrian excellence will continue to demonstrate the possibilities the sport has to offer.”
Each of the featured instructors bring to the Invitational legendary credentials and are household names of equestrian sport, but combined the accolades of the three are absolutely amazing. Morris, the show jumping coach of the United States Equestrian Team, is without doubt one of the most influential riders and trainers in the history of show jumping. Millar, a fixture on the international show jumping scene for decades, is one of history’s most decorated riders and has represented his native Canada in an astounding nine Olympics, a record for all Olympic sports. Known for her elegance in the saddle, Olympian King-Dye is a comparative youngster by age to her counterparts but already boasts an amazing list of accomplishments.
The focus of the clinic will be to illustrate the relationship between dressage, the foundation of all equine sports, and show jumping, and will give riders and fans alike the opportunity to see the inherent relationship between these disciplines demonstrated by world-class riders in each field. Both riding disciplines are Olympic sports.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on October 28 in the War Memorial in Syracuse, the clinic is being presented by Practical Horseman Magazine. Over $10,000 worth of merchandise from Back on Track Horse Products will be given away to spectators. Tickets for the event are $25 available through the Oncenter Box Office, 315-435-2121 or through Ticketmaster.
For more information, visit the Syracuse Invitational web site, www.syracuseinvitational.com
###
About the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament: Each fall, the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the US and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. The event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions and runs October 28 to November 1, 2009. A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.
About George Morris: A world-renowned horseman, George Morris made an early mark at age 14 winning the two most prestigious junior titles in the USA, the AHSA Hunter Seat Medal Final and the ASPCA Maclay Final, the youngest rider to ever do so. In 1960 he was a team Silver Medalist at the Rome Olympics. Besides his success as a rider, his list of students reads as a “Who’s Who” of world class show jumping.. He has been Chef d’Equipe of the United States Equestrian Team since 2005. His tenure has been highlighted by the Team Gold and Individual Bronze at the 2008 Olmpic Games and the Team and Individual Silver at the 2006 world Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, plus a team Bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The books he has authored on equestrian sport and riding are critically acclaimed and are consistently in high demand.
About Ian Millar: Known as Captain Canada Ian Millar’s long and much decorated career includes nine Olympic games dating to 1972, a record for any Olympic sport and matched only by Hubert Raudaschl of Austria, a sailor. He is Canada’s most medaled equestrian, including 9 Pan Am Games, more than any other show jumper in the world, and won back-to-back World Cup Finals in 1988 and 1989 riding the legendary horse Big Ben. A native of Nova Scotia, Millar operates Millar Brooke Farms near Perth, Ontario.
About Courtney King-Dye: At 31 Courtney King-Dye’s show record includes a 6th place finish in her first appearance at the World Cup Finals. Riding Idocus, she competed against a field of 30 of the world’s best riders. Later that year, the pair competed in the USEF National Grand Prix Championships at Gladstone, New Jersey, finishing second. In 2008 King-Dye made appearances at both the World Cup and Olympic Games in Hong Kong, representing the United States aboard Harmony’s Mythilus. Known for her grace in the saddle, King-Dye is based at Bell-Aire Farm in Millbrook, New York.