The American Invitational now bears the name of its founder, Eugene R Mische, past President of Stadium Jumping, Inc. and creator of modern day show jumping in the United States.

 “I’m most proud of the American Invitational. It’s been a continuously running event since 1972. It’s really one of the few show jumping events in this country to this day.  Show jumping under the lights is exciting to begin with, but to have an event in a stadium that plays host to the NFL’s Super Bowl, just adds a level of excitement that’s unduplicated. There’s no event like the American Invitational anywhere in the world.” – Gene Mische 1931-2010