New York, NY-August 29, 2001-The National Horse Show, presented by Budweiser, will feature a $100,000 Hunter Championship when it hosts its 118th edition at New York City's Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena, on November 2-4.

The National Horse Show Hunter Championship, which begins on Friday afternoon, November 2, and culminates on Saturday evening, November 3, is an Invitational open to horses currently recorded with USA Equestrian (formerly the American Horse Shows Association) in the following hunter sections:

Green Conformation Hunter

Green Working Hunter

Regular Conformation Hunter

Regular Working Hunter

Small Junior Working Hunter

Large Junior Working Hunter

Amateur Owner Working Hunter, 18-35

Amateur Owner Working Hunter, 36 & Over.

A rider may ride only one (1) horse in each section. The Championship will be run in two phases. Phase one will consist of two rounds over fences and an Under Saddle Class. A Model Class will be held for the Green Conformation Hunter and the Regular Conformation Hunter Sections. All horses will compete in Phase One in their respective sections. Phase Two will consist of two rounds over fences. The sixteen horses from Phase One with the highest combined average numerical scores will compete in Phase Two.

The National Horse Show Hunter Championship will be judged under the open numerical scoring system. In all rounds, the under saddle classes and the model classes, each team of judges will give each horse a numerical score which will be announced and then averaged for an average numerical score. The sixteen horses with the highest combined average numerical scores from Phase One (Rounds 1, Rounds 2, and the under saddle classes) will advance to Phase Two, Round 3. The combined average numerical scores from Phase One of these 16 horses will be carried forward to Phase Two, Round 3. In case of a tie in determining the sixteen horses to compete in Phase Two, Round 3, all tied horses will qualify.

The ten horses with the highest combined average numerical score from Phase One and Round 3 of Phase Two will advance to Round 4. All combined average numerical scores from Phase One and Round 3 of Phase Two will be carried forward to Round 4. In the case of a tie in determining the ten horses to compete in Round 4 all tied horses will qualify.

The National Horse Show Hunter Champion will be the horse with the highest overall combined average numerical score.

"Hunters have long been the backbone of our sport," said National Horse Show Chairman Eugene R. Mische. "The National Horse Show is excited to give the nation's leading hunters this chance to ride for $100,000 in prize money in the world's most famous arena."

The National Horse Show has enlisted some of the nation's leading hunter judges to judge the $100,000 National Horse Show Hunter Championship. The list includes Ralph Caristo of Hauppauge, NY; Philip J. DeVita of Apopka, FL; Susan S. Humes of Peconic, NY; Mrs. Ernest M. Oare of Warrenton, VA and James Zulia of Altoona, FL.

The National Horse Show will also host jumping and equitation championships. The featured event of the National Horse Show is the $150,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of New York on Sunday, November 4. The Grand Prix is the final event of the $235,000 Jumper Division, which also includes the $50,000 Welcome Grand Prix on Friday evening, November 2.

The $15,000 BET On Jazz Junior Jumper section kicks off on Saturday evening with the $5,000 BET On Jazz Junior Jumper class and then continues on Sunday with the $10,0000 BET On Jazz Junior Jumper Grand Prix and the awarding of the BET On Jazz Junior Jumper High Point Award winner. Amateur-Owner jumpers will be featured in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Grand Prix. The culmination of the year-long National Horse Sports Foundation Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Grand Prix will be followed by year-end series awards which will be given to East and Central Conference champions. The West Conference championship award is given at the Los Angeles National Horse Show later in November. The prestigious Maclay National Championship for the ASPCA Horsemanship classes, open to riders under the age of 18, is a showcase of future show jumping champions. Past winners of the Maclay trophy include such top riders as Olympic veterans William Steinkraus, George Morris, Frank and Mary Chapot, and Leslie Burr. The Maclay Championship begins on Saturday morning and concludes with its traditional final on Sunday afternoon. The National Horse Show Saddle Seat "Good Hands" Championship will also be a featured equitation championship at this year's National Horse Show, taking place on Saturday afternoon.

Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America's oldest indoor horse show, and a traditional fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National is America's most prestigious year-end championship show, offering the country's top horses and riders a chance to decide the ultimate champions.

To purchase tickets, please call 212-307-7171 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please visit www.nhs.org.