Charleston, SC–Home to inventors of the first automobile, airplane and professional baseball team, Ohio is also the birthplace of the first horse show jumping grand prix in the Western Hemisphere. An new book, to be released June 10, 2014, by equestrian authority Betty Weibel examines the 1965 birth of American grand prix show jumping through the story of the Cleveland Grand Prix, The Cleveland Grand Prix: An American Show Jumping  First.(Published by The History Press, 176 pages, over 65 photos, paperback, retail $19.95.)

The first Cleveland Grand Prix was innovative because it came at a time when civilian show jumpers had taken over our country’s international representation following the cavalry’s withdrawal after the 1948 Olympics. European outdoor courses were long and complex with a wide variety of obstacles and the major competition was known as the Grand Prix.  By introducing the first European-style outdoor show jumping Grand Prix in Cleveland at the Chagrin Valley’s Metroparks Polo Field, organizers played a critical role in developing the sport of show jumping in America. That innovation sparked a future billion dollar show jumping industry with nearly 350 grand prix in the U.S. today.

Longtime fans can relive the exciting victories of some of the finest horses and riders in history, while newcomers to the sport will experience the Cleveland Grand Prix’s glory years as the premier summer social tradition. From harness racing to fox hunting and Cleveland’s cavalry Weibel provides an overview of horse sports in Northeast Ohio as she explains how this picturesque corner of the Chagrin Valley grew into a world-class horse sport hub where prominent horsemen converged. You don’t need to be a rider or horse lover to appreciate the Cleveland Grand Prix story and its related history of Cleveland horse sport and the Chagrin Valley.

About the Author

Betty Weibel of Chagrin Falls, Ohio has combined her equestrian life with her career as a journalist and public relations professional. Early in her career, she oversaw public relations for the national American Grandprix Association, managing media and sponsor relations for the 30-event national series, as well as other top show jumping events including the World Cup. Today, she is a principal in Yopko Penhallurick, a public relations agency.

A longtime volunteer Board member and publicist for the Chagrin Valley PHA Horse Show, which hosts the Cleveland Grand Prix, Weibel spent more than a year researching the Cleveland Grand Prix and history of the Chagrin Valley.

What inspired the book? “I was fortunate to work with and learn from some amazing horsemen over the years and I had an opportunity to interview many of them for media or program articles. I wanted to preserve their stories and sentiments, as well as the archives which included a fantastic collection of photos. Although grand prix show jumping is relatively young in America compared to Europe, in nearly 50 years so much has happened and the sport continues to grow and evolve. And it all started right here in Ohio,” she said.

Upcoming Author Events

BOOK LAUNCH – Saturday, June 14 from 1-3 p.m. at Fireside Books (29 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, OH)

Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Schneiders Saddlery Outdoor Flea Market (Chagrin Falls, OH)

September 17 from Noon – 1:30 p.m. at Case Western University Barnes & Noble (Cleveland, OH)

October 1 at 7 p.m. at Lakewood Historical Society (Lakewood, OH)

About The History Press

The History Press brings a new way of thinking to history publishing—preserving and enriching community by empowering history enthusiasts to write local stories for local audiences. Our books are useful resources for research and preservation, but it is their value as touchstones for community identity that drives us to publish works that national houses and university presses too often have ignored. Infused with local color, our books are highly readable, often brief and aimed at a general readership.

Since starting in 2004, The History Press has published nearly two thousand of the highest quality local and regional history titles from coast to coast. We offer local authors a full-service, traditional publishing experience, from project inception and editorial assistance through design and printing and on to publicity and sales. For details visit www.historypress.net.