Tampa, FL – March 23 - McLain Ward won the $60,000 Grand Prix of Tampa riding Viktor. McLain finished first and second on Hurricane and Labelle in the 1.50 m Class the day before this class. Six horses qualified for the timed jump-off out of a field of 35 competitors in the Grand Prix of Tampa.

McLain and Viktor were the last to go in the jump-off and beat the time of the only other clean round in the jump-off.

Candice King and Calsikan were the other clear and finished 2nd. Viktor is a Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Harry R. Gill and McLain Ward. Viktor won $18,000 for his victory today. But today was important as it was the last event to qualify riders for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational and this class was a World Cup Qualifier as well. McLain already tops the list of qualifiers for both the Invitational and the World Cup. Guilherme Nogueira Jorge of Brazil was the course designer and the course proved worthy of a World Cup Class with penalties spread about the course.

In the Hunter arenas, Small Junior Hunter Champions were Meestraal with Sloane Coles riding for Martha Fruehauf in the 15 & Under division. In the 16-17 division, Skyy was Champion with owner/rider Paige Johnson.

In the Large Junior Hunters the Jayne family dominated; Clementine was Champion with Haylie Jayne riding for Alex R. Jayne in the 15 & Under division. In the 16-17 division, In Sync was Champion with Charlie Jayne riding for owner Alex R. Jayne.

In the ponies, Miss Australia was Champion Small Pony Hunter with owner/rider Lauren Hogan. Look at Me was Medium Pony Hunter Champion with Alex Skiffington riding for Julianna Fischer. Time to Talk was Large Pony Hunter Champion with owner/rider Molly Sullivan.

All results are posted at www.stadiumjumping.com.

The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational will be held March 29, Saturday, at 7:00 PM in the Raymond James Stadium. Thirty horses will be invited by the amount of money won during the Winter Equestrian Festival in designated classes. This class has one of the largest purses of any Grand Prix type competition in this nation.

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.

Tickets for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days. For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Dates for Tampa Winter Equestrian Festival
(Each week of competition runs Wed - Sun beginning at 8:00 AM)