Two-week Cleveland Autumn Jumper Series competition opens today in Moreland Hills

Top riders expected to compete in the American Gold Cup and in other events during the Cleveland Autumn Series include the 2008 Gold Cup winner Norman Dello Joio, and Olympic gold medalists Beezie Madden, Joe Fargis, and McLain Ward.

View full sizeScott Shaw / The Plain DealerNorman Dello Joio, 2008 Gold Cup winner, is expected to compete in the two-week Cleveland Autumn Jumper Series, which begins today in Moreland Hills.

Marge Fernbacher / Special to The Plain Dealer

MORELAND HILLS, Ohio — The Cleveland Autumn Jumper Series returns today to the Metroparks Polo Field show grounds for two weeks of world-class show jumping competition.

The series begins with the North Coast Jumper Classic, which includes Saturday's $35,000 North Coast Grand Prix.

American Gold Cup events (Sept. 15-19) will include the $30,000 Gold Cup Welcome Stake on Sept. 17 at approximately 3 p.m., and the $75,000 American Gold Cup grand prix finals, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 19.

"We are committed to bringing the nation's top show jumpers to Cleveland," said event organizer Michael Morrissey, who brought the American Gold Cup back to Cleveland in 2006 after a 35-year absence. "This area is so supportive of show jumping, and although we are still without a title sponsor, the show will go on."

Top riders expected to compete in the American Gold Cup, and in other events during the Cleveland Autumn Series, include the 2008 Gold Cup winner Norman Dello Joio, and Olympic gold medalists Beezie Madden, Joe Fargis, and McLain Ward.

Ten-time Cleveland Grand Prix winner Margie Engle is also expected to compete. Although she has more than 190 grand-prix victories in her career, Engle has never won the American Gold Cup.

Admission is free for the North Coast Jumper Classic, and for the first three days of the American Gold Cup. For the final weekend, tickets at the Ohio 87 entrance to the show grounds are $10 for adults, $5 for children and senior citizens Saturday, and $15 and $5 Sunday. For more information, visit StadiumJumping.com or call 440-834-8615.

Marge Fernbacher is a freelance writer in Willoughby Hills.