Slf Ventures, LLC (owned by Sally L. Frick of Motlow Creek Farm in Campobello), along with Lincoln Russell, Lily Hahn, Helen Terranova and Patricia Griffin, have purchased from City League International the Carolina Spartans, a professional Grand Prix Show jumping team. &bsp;

The sport of show jumping, horse and rider clearing very large fences at electrifying speeds, has achieved huge popularity in Europe (second only to soccer), City League officials say. They say it is an amazing spectator sport and describe it as an &dquo;extreme sport&dquo; with a dress code.

City League International, LLC co founded by Jimmy Gibbs and Vick Russell, has taken on the task of bringing professional show jumping to the United States.

In only the league&39;s second year of organization, spectator attendance has increased by 400 percent and the league is now expanding into Canada and the southwestern United States. According to organizers, sponsors have been quick to jump on this new concept because, unlike in more established sports, they are getting more &dquo;bang for their advertising buck&dquo;.

For more information about City League events and teams, and to see some videos of show jumping, go to cityleagueinternational.com.