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Horse Videos

Stableexpress
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Posted by Stable Express

Benjamin Cannelle

Ian Millar Is The Master Of Faster In 50,000 Cibc Grand Prix Presented By Audi

McLain Ward of Brewster, NY won the $50,000 Mercedes Benz Grand Prix of New Hampshire for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year at the 16th Annual Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival.

Located at the scenic Fields of Attitash in Bartlett, NH, many of the top riders and horses from throughout the U.S. showed at the event, including three former Olympic medalists - Leslie Howard, Peter Leone, and Norman Dello Joio. Additionally, Margie Goldstein Engle, a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team`s show jumping team for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia competed at the 16th Annual Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival.

The $50,000 Mercedes Grand Prix of New Hampshire winner, Ward, 24, rode Rio, an eight-year-old Belgian-bred, to the win over a 35-horse field. He also placed second on Fior, a 13-year-old Dutch-bred, matching his feat of 1998 when he placed one-two on Benetton and Twist du Valon.

"This is very gratifying for me because I`m in kind of a transition year for horses," Ward said. "My older horses like Twist have moved on and my new horses like Rio are just moving into the big classes. I think today they showed that they`re ready." Although Rio is only 15.3 hands, McLain says "Rio is the best horse I`ve ever sat on ability wise. He`s like a rubberband!"

Six horses qualified for a tie-breaking jump-off after riding without penalty over the original 15-jump course designed by Steve Stephens. Ward and Rio were first to return for the seven-jump tie-breaker and they rode fault-free in 34.246 seconds to set the mark to beat.

None of the remaining entries could match Rio`s score with the only other clean rides coming from Ward on Fior who finished in 36.467 seconds and 1994 champion Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ who finished in 36.821 seconds on Royal Kaliber.

Following his one-two finish, Ward delighted his many fans by autographing posters and posing for photographs in the Horseman`s Yankee Pedlar booth. The autograph session continues the Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival tradition of giving spectators the chance to meet and mingle with the nation`s show jumping stars.

Earlier in the week, Ward and Fior were in the winner`s circle together for their triumph in the $10,000 State Line Tack Open Jumper Welcome Stake. With Fior, a 13 year-old, 16.2 hand bay gelding, Ward covered that challenging jump-off course in a time of 26.005 seconds.

Placing second and third, respectively, with Sandstone Laurin and Sandstone Dorina, in the $10,000 State Line Tack Open Jumper Welcome Stake, was Gabriella Salick of Thousand Oaks, CA.

Ward also captured the two $2,000 Mercedes Benz Modified Jumper Classes on Naomi, a 15 year-old German mare.

"Naomi is a wonderful horse and she`s very consistent," stated Ward. "She goes out at every horse show and wins ribbons. Naomi is always really fast."

Ward was pleased to be back competing at the Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival. "I really enjoy coming here, and look forward to it. This is definitely one of the best shows of the year."

1999 Pan American Games double Silver Medalist Peter Wylde echoed Ward`s feelings about the show. "It was great to be back at Attitash. I love it there - it`s a beautiful setting, the footing is really good, and the schedule is wonderful."

In other exciting equestrian action, 1996 Olympic team Silver Medalist and 1984 Olympic team Gold Medalist Leslie Howard of Westport, CT was victorious in the $5,000 Governor`s Cup Classic. Riding Nick of Diamonds, a 9 year-old Swedish stallion, Howard covered the tough jump-off course in 27.967 seconds.

"My horse was great today," Howard stated. "He`s not only a winner in the ring, he`s a fun horse to be around. He`s feisty and full of himself."

2000 U.S. Olympic Team member Margie Engle of Wellington, FL rode Hidden Creek`s Limerick, a 7 year-old black stallion, to win both $1,500 Mountain Ear High Preliminary Jumper classes.

Jeffery Welles of New Canaan, CT won the $1,000 WMWV-FM Low Preliminary Jumper on S & L Velvet Ropes, and the $1,500 WMUR-TV High Preliminary Jumper on Peter Pan. Riding Sarah B. Willeman`s Labelle, Welles also captured the $1,000 Paris Farmer`s Union Low Preliminary Jumper class. Welles and Labelle won the Low Preliminary Championship.

Judy Garafalo rode Aphnee to victory in the $7500 WMUR-TV Junior/Amateur-Owner Grand Prix, a member event of the Explorer BIOLAN/NHSF Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. Kate Levy and Opus placed second to take over the East Conference lead in the Series standings.

Lauren Bass of Willoughby Hills, OH and M.V. Cristal galloped to victory in both $2000 WMTV3/RSN High Junior-Amateur Jumper classes. M.V. Cristal is owned by the Maypine Farm. Bass and M.V. Cristal won the Junior/Amateur-Owner Championship.

The $1000 Paris Farmer`s Union Low Amateur-Owner class was won by Monnie Gilder of New York, NY on Pascal. Gilder and her other mount, Artemis, galloped to the top in the $2,500 Mountain Ear Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Gilder and Pascal won the Low Amateur-Owner Championship.

The blue ribbon in the $1000 Tanger Outlet Low Junior Jumper class went to Jessica Siuda of New Vernon, NJ on Cluny De Labarde, a 10 year-old, 15.3 hand chestnut gelding. The $1,000 NAL/Children`s Jumper Classic was won by Emilie Sandler of New York, NY riding Costela, while Anne Wagner of Pawling, NY headed to the winner`s circle on The Aristocrat in the $1,000 Adult Amateur Jumper class.

Brian Walker of St. Lazare, Quebec won both the $1,000 Low Junior Jumper class and the $2,500 WMTV3/RSN Low Junior Jumper Classic on Luxury Item. Walker and Luxury Item also won the Low Junior championship.

Marissa Lanteri of Hackensack, NJ won the $300 Story Land Children`s Jumper class on Two O`Clock Fox, an 8 year-old chestnut gelding. The pair covered the tough jump-off course in 23.647 seconds. There was a four-way tie for the Children`s championship among Marissa Lanteri on Two O`Clock Fox, Elizabeth Lanteri on Milano, Nicole Love Popov on Coup de Main and Emilie Sandler on Costela.

Popov was also honored by Attitash Bear Peak as the winner of the Colin Davidson Junior Achievement Award given in memory of Colin Davidson, one of the founders of the Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival.

Rebecca Astrom of Reddick, FL and Ghina took the blue ribbon in the $2,500 State Line Tack NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Grand Prix. Monnie Gilder on Easily won the Adult Championship.

In addition to the thrilling spectacle of equestrian competition, spectators at the Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival found a variety of attractions at the Fields of Attitash. Shopping fans enjoyed the Country Fair Expo adjacent to the Grand Prix Ring which featured local retailers displaying artwork, jewelry, crafts, clothing and a variety of equestrian items for sale. A fine selection of local foods was available to sample ringside at the "Taste of the Valley" Food Festival featuring area restaurateurs. Equine demonstrations, hay rides, and a children`s play area rounded out the activities during the event.