Bayer/USET Gold Coast Jumper Classic CSI*** Begins

Quickstar II Z Dazzles Again With McLain Ward Up In 1.45-Meter Power & Speed Class
Mark Leone And Mr. Happy Win 1.40 Meter Time First Jump-Off, Section A
McLain Ward And Cinderella 248 Win 1.40 Meter Time First Jump-Off, Section B

Wellington, FL - February 4, 2004 - The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, kicked off today with the second show in the 10-week circuit - the Bayer/USET Gold Coast Jumper Classic CSI***. The five-day show runs from Wednesday, February 4, through Sunday, February 8, featuring all jumper classes at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. Highlighting this week is the $50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup, CSI*** on Sunday, starting at 1:30pm. Olaf Peterson of Germany is the course designer in the Internationale Arena this week.

On a roll for his new owners, Double H Farm, McLain Ward, 28, of Brewster, NY, and Quickstar II Z notched their second win at the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival, claiming victory in the $7,500 1.45-Meter "Power & Speed" class. Starting off the morning in the Internationale Arena, Ward and the 10-year-old, bay, 16.2-hand, French-bred mare bested a roster of 55 entries. "It's great for the owners of the whole group of horses," said Ward. "The Harrisons are a great sponsor and a new partnership, so it's just the start we wanted to have. "

Course designer Peterson set a two-phase test for competitors. Riders jumped a 10-fence "Power" Phase I with Time Allowed at 52 seconds. Those posting clear rounds immediately jumped a six-effort "Speed" Phase II with the clock re-set to 47 seconds. The fastest clear in the Speed Phase took the blue. "The speed starts halfway through the course in a little bit of a different format. It's a good class," said Ward. Aboard Quickstar last week, Ward won a similar class, the1.45 Meter Time First Jump-Off.

Twenty-four horses cleared the Power Phase, and moved on to the Speed Phase, but Ward and Quickstar were far and away the fastest. The duo blasted over the course, clocking in at 29.767 seconds. Ian Millar, 57, of Perth, Ontario, riding Nicos for owner Todd Snell placed second, more than two seconds slower at 31.451. Margie Engle, 46, of Wellington, FL, aboard Nobility for owner Robert Pergament took third place, posting a time of 32.046.

"I made an inside cut to the last fence, which we looked at during the course walk and it was quite difficult but that mare is very, very genuine in character," explained Ward. "I tried to do the inside turn and she responded beautifully."

Mark Leone And Mr. Happy Win 1.40-Meter, Section A
Also featured in the Internationale Arena today was the $5,000 1.40 Meter, Time First Jump-Off class. With 104 horses entered, management split the competition into two Sections.

Fifty-seven entries contested Section A. Eleven horses went clear over Round One, but only three produced a clean trip over the short course. The fastest of the double-clears was Mark Leone, 42, of Franklin Lakes, NJ, riding Mr. Happy for owner Meghan Moran. The duo clocked in at 45.48 seconds. Just splits behind Leone, Federico Sztyrle, 39, of Sagaponack, NY, riding Fatalis Fatum for owner Sag Pond Farm took second place with a time of 45.58. Darragh Kerins riding Linea for Ralph Caristo was third, crossing the timers in 42.441.

McLain Ward And Cinderella 248 Win 1.40-Meter, Section B
Continuing his winning ways into the afternoon, Ward wrapped up his day with another victory, taking first place in the $5,000 1.40 Meter, Time First Jump-Off, Section B. Aboard Cinderella, Ward bested a field of 49 entries. This was not only Ward's second win of the day, but also his second win with Cinderella at the 2004 WEF. Last week the pair won the $5,000 North American League Acorn Hill Farm Speed Challenge. Cinderella is a nine-year-old Holsteiner, German-bred mare owned by Double H Farm. Twelve horses went clear in Round One, and of those, four went clear again over the short course. Ward was the fastest of them all, clocking in at 39.527 seconds. Margie Engle picked up the second place ribbon aboard Julius for owner Lysa Burke Horkan, crossing the timers in 40.114. In third place, Lynne Little, 51, of Frederick, MD, in the irons on Don Diego La Silla for owner Club Hipio La Silla, placed third with a time of 43.700.

For full results of today's classes, visit www.stadiumjumping.com

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.