Asheville, NC – July 23, 2005 – Rider Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC riding for Red Bank Farm claimed another victory on board the 13 year old Thoroughbred gelding, Red Royal Chief with double clear rounds today over a field of 29 competitors in the $25,000 Louise Salter Memorial Grand Prix sponsored by The Classic Company. A first round time of 86.17 assured Vale a return spot in the jump off. Their 2nd clear round time of 38.41 put them in the winners’ circle. Vale had a total of five mounts for the event with two making it into the final round. Second place also went to Aaron on board Ariscraft Soleil for owner Angelstone Farms with a clear final round time of 40.90. Vale was again unavailable for comment on the event.

Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio’s comments to the crowd prior to the start included, “for the toughest level of competitors tonight’s course combines what is fair to the horse and interesting to the rider.” The 16-fence layout was a definite challenge from one set of triple bars close to the end gate to a 5-stride liverpool oxer almost facing into the audience that could be distracting to the horse. D’Ambrosio added, “the biggest fence was the #11 oxer, horse and rider approach it coming downhill straight into the crowd. And the last jump is a thinking task, either a forward 7 stride or a steady 8 stride, that one stride difference will be a tough decision.”

While the boys may have finished in the top two spots, the ladies were chasing them all the way to the end. Susie Fried of Macon, Georgia and her 10-year-old bay Warmblood mare, Cheenookee claimed third place for owner Highridge Farm with a clear second round time of 41 seconds. The recently turned pro Fried said of her mount, “I feel like we’re really coming together now! It was a great ride for us and a challenging course to cover.”

Making another huge impression was 17-year-old junior rider Megan Nusz of Woodlands, Texas with her partner, 11-year-old grey Westphalian gelding Absolute Navy. Still hot on the heels of the pros she posted the second fastest time of the jump off with 38.56 but a rail down at the end bumped her to the 4th place finish. Asked her thoughts of the course Megan said, “it was the toughest course I’ve ridden since the Young Jumpers finals. It was hard…but exciting!”

Classic Co president Bob Bell said of today’s event, “what a field of talent we saw! The course Anthony put together was very tough. Definitely more of a mental challenge in some aspects, but that’s what this level of competitor thrives on. It was an exciting way to remember Louise today; she loved this sport.”

Bell further commented, “What a week to end the series on! Great weather, amazing talent in all the rings, and the gorgeous Biltmore grounds to enjoy. It really is an almost magical place to show.”

The Biltmore Estate Summer Series wraps up tomorrow, July 24, 2005 with the NHJL Child Jumper Classic, the NHJL Adult Jumper Classic, and the Hunter Equitation Championships to kick off the morning events.

For further information on the 2005 Biltmore Estate Summer Classic Series and results, please go to www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at (828) 225-6202.