Animal Planet is releasing three new programs that showcase the high stakes drama and competitive spirit of horses and riders at the top of equestrian sport. From the intense pressure leading up to the final U.S. Olympic Equestrian team selection to the adrenaline filled action of a sport where every hundredth of a second counts, Animal Planet’s world championship equestrian line-up gallops into homes beginning this month with the Rolex Superstars of Show Jumping, Rolex Grand Prix of Show Jumping, FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix and returning favorite the Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup.
This suite of horse programming is hosted by athlete and sports commentator Lewis Johnson; sports anchor and contributor for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Andrew Catalon; and top international show-jumping competitor and U.S. horse trainer, Kim Prince. This team of correspondents will give viewers the play-by play of each event and behind the scenes stories from each competition.
Up first is Rolex Superstars of Show Jumping (premieres Saturday, July 26, at 3 p.m. ET/PT). In this special, the defending U.S. champion Beezie Madden travels to Germany to compete against the top horses and riders in the world. In August, saddle-up with the Rolex Grand Prix of Show Jumping (premieres Saturday, August 2, at 3 p.m. ET/PT) which rounds up the top athletes and their horses from around the world for this prestigious event. This competition is the last chance for American athletes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team. In October, some of the key competitors just back from the Olympic Games will be featured in the FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix (premieres Saturday, October 4, at 3 p.m. ET/PT), one of America’s most fashionable and prestigious equine events. And wrapping up the equine line-up in January, experience the thrill and danger of Olympic-level show jumping when Animal Planet’s Sporthorse Cup (premieres Saturday, January 10, at 3 p.m. ET/PT) invites seven of the world’s top riders to compete in a unique three-round test of rider and horse.
For more information, visit
www.animalplanet.com.