Ellen Whitaker and AK Kanselier Edge Laura Chapot and Sprite in Acorn Hill Farm Season Finale at Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa

Tampa, FL– March 31, 2005 – On the final week of the nine week long Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) tour and in the last class of the Acorn Hill Farm Speed Challenge series, Ellen Whitaker and AK Kanselier finally got past Laura Chapot and Sprite for the victory. The $5,000 Acorn Hill Speed Challenge was the featured event on Thursday at the Tournament of Champions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, Florida.

Thirty-five competitors lined up for competition in the last Acorn Hill Speed Challenge, scored under Table II, Sec 1, Time First Round. The Acorn Hill is a member event of the North American League (NAL) series. Luc Messette of Belgium is the course designer for the final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Three of the most successful women on this year’s Florida tour all followed each other closely in today’s jumping order.

Laura Kraut and Joyous set the pace in the Acorn Hill Speed Challenge, just past the halfway point in today’s class. Joyous, owned by the Summit Partners, broke the beams in 68.015 with a clean round to move to the top of the leader board.

Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker, riding the Amaro/Whitaker Sporthorse’s AK Kanselier, followed Kraut two horses later. Whitaker laid down a fast and furious trip, clearing the course with no knockdowns and knocking a whopping 3.04 seconds off of Kraut’s previous top time. Whitaker posted the new time to beat at 64.991 seconds.

Sprite and Laura Chapot would be the next challengers to Whitaker, eight horses later. Sprite and Chapot, the winningest 1.40m speed horse/rider combination in recent WEF history, were going after win number thirty-three on Thursday. Chapot, in her usual no holds barred fashion, let out all the stops. When she tripped the timers, it was apparent that today’s win would go to Whitaker. Chapot came up 0.47 seconds short of Whitaker’s time, crossing the finish line in 65.470 seconds.

“Whew!” exclaimed Whitaker after watching Chapot’s round. “She had me riveted to the chair. She’s super fast, but finally today I got the edge on her.”

Chapot and Sprite will win their second consecutive Acorn Hill Speed Challenge Series Circuit Award, topping her closest competitor in the race by close to $8000.

Official Results - #1005 - $5,000 Acorn Hill Farm Speed Challenge, Table II Sec. 1 – 03-31-05 – Covered Arena

• 1 – AK Kanselier, Ellen Whitaker – 0/64.991
• 2 – Sprite, Laura Chapot -0/65.470
• 3 – George, McLain Ward – 0/67.807
• 4 – Joyous, Laura Kraut – 0/68.015
• 5 – Orleen, Leslie Howard – 0/68.932
• 6 – Cantida, Alison Firestone – 0/70.208
• 7 – Now or Never, Vicky Young -0/74.516
• 8 – Quincy B, Sheila Burke – 0/79.472
• 9 – Primo, Jonathan McCrea – 3/85.573
• 10 – Neo, Kent Farrington -4/68.275
• 11 – Royal D’Or, Niall Grimes – 4/68.909
• 12 – Ole, Mac Cone – 4/70.401

A light schedule of jumpers on Friday at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center features the $20,000 1.50m Classic as everyone gears up for the “Super Bowl of Show Jumping,” the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium. Festivities get underway at 7pm.

The order of go for Saturday’s main event was announced today. Riders are placed based on total prize money won during the WEF Challenge Cup classes and the Sunday Grand Prix events. Laura Kraut, the top money winner for the season, goes last. Horses will be declared late Thursday.

$200,000 Budweiser American Invitational
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune
Member Event of the 2005 AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping

ORDER OF GO

PHOTO CREDIT: AK Kanselier with Ellen Whitaker win Thursday’s Acorn Hill Speed Challenge. Photo by Randi Muster.

The North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter and jumper divisions – Children’s Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Adult Hunter, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and Open Jumper Speed. Each series culminates with a championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, in October. Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members earn points toward year-end finals. For more information and a list of qualifying competitions for 2005, please visit the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.