Wellington, Florida - February 8, 1999
Nona Garson of Lebanon, NJ, bested an invitation-only field of 28 all-stars to capture the $100,000 Budweiser/AGA Championship. Garson, the only rider to finish the jump-off without knocking down a rail, earned $15,000 for her win aboard her speedy 14-year-old Russian-bred Rhythmical by Rejis. The story goes that Rhythmical was a Russian Cavalry horse who was purchased for 150 refrigerators. Co-Owners of Rhythmical with Garson is the Kamine family.

Ward Wins Rider of Year
Twenty-three-year-old McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, earned his first Budweiser/AGA Rider of the Year title, despite not completing the course that was dominated dominated by Garson and Rhythmical.

Ward's horse, Twist du Valon,won the 1998 Horse of the Year award even though he refused to jump the triple combination midway through the course. "It's a great honor," said Ward, who won the title by five points. "I'm very happy to win Rider of the Year, and to beat Margie, who is my toughest competitor.This is a great feeling even though I'm disappointed about not winning the grand prix. It's just bad luck. It happens."

Five-time Budweiser/AGA Rider of the Year Margie Goldstein-Engle finished out of the money with eight faults riding 1996 Horse of the Year Hidden Creek's Alvaretto. "It's disappointing. I felt good going into the class. Honestly, I'm just happy to finish in the top three. My best horses were in Europe during the summer and my young horses had to step up and they did."

$100,000 Budweiser/AGA Championship
Wellington, Florida - February 7, 1999
Course Designer: Jose Gamarra

Results

                                          Faults-Time Purse 
1  Loro Piana Rhythmical 	
    Nona Garson, Lebanon, NJ	          0-1-53.211  $15,000        
2  Oh Star	
    Todd Minikus, Lake Forest, IL	  0-4-46.065  $11,000
3  Sandstone Dorina	
    Gabriella Salick, Thousand Oaks, CA	  0-4-49.623  $ 6,500
4  Rafiki	
    Chris Kappler, Pittstown, NJ	  0-12-48.626 $ 4,000
5  Ilian 
    Schuyler Riley, Hobe Sound, FL	  0-12-48.837 $ 3,000
6  Lovely Girl	
    Lynne Little, Frederick, MD           4-80.449    $ 2,500	
7  Super Cruise
    Eric Hasbrouck, Bedford, NY	          4-86.55     $ 2,000
8  Cagney	
    Eric Lamaze, Canada	                  4-88.84     $ 1,500
9  Lancier 4	
     Jimmy Torano, Ft. Lauderdale, FL	  4-89.36     $ 1,500
10 Elan Coriana	
     Tim Grubb, Pottersville, NJ	  4-89.68     $ 1,000
11 After Eight	
     Leslie Howard, Westport, CT	  4-90.90     $ 1,000
12 Bravo Delta	
     Ragan Roberts			  4-91.10     $ 1,000

More Highlights from the second week of the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival in West Palm Beach:

Eric Hasbrouck of Bedford, NY, entered the winner's circle aboard the bay mare, Miss Fio, in the $10,000 Budweiser Welcome Stake. Hasbrouck dominated the jump-off round against six qualifiers, clearing seven fences in 33.11 seconds. 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY, claimed second and third place riding Lancelot Z and Edgar, respectively.

In the $5,000 Budweiser Open Speed Championship, 19-year-old amateur rider Elise Haas of Sausalito, CA, blistered the ten-fence course aboard Aphnee. Robert Collucci of Wellington, FL, finished in second with Gaudaloupe.

Eighteen-year-old Frankie Chesler or Wellington, FL jumped to victory in the $10,000 High Junior Jumper AGA Championship aboard Braveheart. Riding the black Quarter Horse, she was the only rider to turn in three clear rounds over the two-day competiton. "I'm so proud of my horse. Braveheart works so hard and tries his heart out every time in the ring, " she said. Braveheart overcame a bout with cancer two years ago before returning to the show ring.

The winner of the $5,000 Low Junior Jumper AGA Championship was Brian Walker aboard Caroli Stables' Solo.

In the hard-fought amateur-owner jumper competition, three champions emerged:
D.D. Matz rode Tashling to win the $10,000 High Amateur-Owner AGA Championship, Joy Carrier rode Springboard to win the $10,000 Medium Amateur-Owner AGA Championship, and Lauren Bass and Aurnella won the $10,000 Low Amateur-Owner AGA Championship.

In other championship show jumping action, Kiva Iscol rode Melee to win the $10,000 Adult Amateur AGA Championship, and Pala Mostoller and Brave Heart won the $10,000 Seniors AGA Championship. The $3,000 Children's Jumper AGA Championship was won by Jessica Siuda and her horse, Holly Would.