Tampa, FL – March 23, 2003 – The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational will be held Saturday evening, March 29, in the Raymond James Stadium.

The Tampa Police Mounted Patrol will be in the stadium with their horses and dogs. The Tampa Police Mounted Patrol has been in existence for approximately seven years and still has no home of their own! They currently are using five stalls to stable their horses at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. This Yacht Club generously donates these quarters for the police to use but patrol members need a facility of their own where they can train young horses for crowd control and to stable more animals.

The Patrol has been busy in the past weeks monitoring war protests in addition to its regular duties. Members expect to be in demand during the coming weeks as the war in Iraq progresses. The limited stabling hinders their response because they cannot effectively train or house young animals. Seeing the need, the Invitational has donated more than $28,000 over the past few years enabling the patrol to buy acreage for a stable. This year’s proceeds will go toward building expenses. The Camden Ybor Construction Company designed the facility for free.

The Patrol’s horses will be at the Raymond James Stadium at 5:30 pm Saturday. The police dogs or K-9s will also be there to visit with the public and demonstrate their skills. Last year’s K-9 demonstration wowed the crowd. When the dogs, horses and officers are finished at Raymond James, they will go directly to their regular duty at Ybor City.

For information, call the Tampa Police Mounted Patrol or K-9 Unit (813) 276-3457.

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.

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