Beezie Madden Captures First Victory for $200,000 American Invitational

History was made as the 42nd Gene Mische $200,000 American Invitational, presented by G&C Farm, found its new home at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL. The class has become a landmark of the showjumping world, and tonight was no exception as 29 horse and rider combinations gathered on the field to compete in a battle of the best. It was an electrifying night as spectators looked on to the stadium turf, but it was with swiftness and accuracy that Beezie Madden was able to emerge as the victor tonight. Aboard Coral Reef Via Volo, Madden rode to her third American Invitational victory, a feat few can claim.

Madden navigated Coral Reef Via Volo to a double-clear effort during a five-horse jump off. They tripped the timers in 35.91 seconds after completing a clear short course, while Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Atlanta rode to the second place for the only other double clear effort. Lauren Hough and Ohlala were the third place finishers, taking the honors as the fastest of the four faulters after lowering the height of obstacle 17, an oxer set near the in gate.

Designer of the 2008 Olympic courses, Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, designed tonight's toilsome track. The 13 numbered obstacles featured a triple bar-oxer double combination, a scopey vertical leading into the oxer-liverpool combination, a unique, suspended American Invitational wall, a skinny, a blue, square oxer and a daunting G&C Farms final oxer. The most difficult obstacle proved to be the double combination coming off of the Miami Dolphins oxer, resulting in numerous rails on the ground.

Hough and Ohlala were the first to traverse the opening track, showing the way as the eleventh to take on the course. The crowd erupted into a resounding applause as she showed that it could be done. Madden guaranteed a jump-off only two rounds later, crossing the finish line without fault. Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa and Citizenguard Cadjanine also rode to a clear effort, while Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum rode Atlanta to the fourth slot of the short course. It was Miami's own Margie Engle, aboard Royce, who filled the fifth position, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

2014 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational Results

1 13 CORAL REEF VIA VOLO BEEZIE MADDEN USA 0.00 87.69 0.00 35.91
2 22 ATLANTA MEREDITH MICHAELS-BEERBAUM GER 0.00 86.23 0.00 38.02
3 11 OHLALA LAUREN HOUGH USA 0.00 81.50 4.00 34.44
4 23 ROYCE MARGIE ENGLE USA 0.00 83.24 4.00 36.00
5 17 CITIZENGUARD CADJANINE RODRIGO PESSOA BRA 0.00 82.43 8.00 35.85
6 2 EREGAST VAN KIZELHOFF SHANE SWEETNAM IRL 4.00 85.07
7 9 JUVINA GEORGINA BLOOMBERG USA 4.00 85.08
8 24 ROTHCHILD MCLAIN WARD USA 4.00 85.17
9 10 DYNAMO MEGAN NUSZ USA 4.00 87.08
10 7 LEAP OF JOY CHARLIE JACOBS USA 4.00 87.14
11 6 TITUS 2:11 JARED PETERSON USA 5.00 89.66
12 8 QUALITY GIRL TODD MINIKUS USA 8.00 83.57