Ottawa, Ontario - American Olympian Joe Fargis claimed the first win of the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament on Wednesday. The international show jumping tournament runs July 12-16 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.

A total of 41 horse-rider combinations took to the grass grand prix field to attempt the 1.40m track set by renowned course designer Conrad Homfeld of the United States. Homfeld is one of five course designers currently being considered for the 2008 Olympic Games.

With the fastest clean round emerging as the winner, Joe Fargis of the United States accomplished the task riding Diams III. The pair was clear in a time of 56.62 seconds. Fargis also took fourth place with Ingaletta in a time of 58.60 seconds. Enjoying a long career, Fargis won both Team and Individual Gold Medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Placing second was Chris Pratt, 37, of Belfountain, ON, riding Bequia, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Susan Grange. They were more than a full second off of the time set by Fargis, stopping the clock at 57.67 seconds. Pratt, along with teammates Ian Millar and Eric Lamaze, is using the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament to prepare for the 2006 World Championships to be held in Aachen, Germany, at the end of August.

Another Olympic Gold Medallist, Chris Kappler of the United States, took third place riding VDL Maseratie. Kappler, who hails from Pittstown, NJ, was a Team Gold and Individual Silver Medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Show jumping action resumes at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday. Featured events include the $20,000 Open Welcome on Friday at 6 p.m., the $35,000 Brookstreet Jumping Derby on Saturday at 3 p.m., and the grand finale, the $60,000 'KUBOTA' Big Ben Memorial Grand Prix on Sunday at 3 p.m. Frankie Chesler of Orangeville, ON, will attempt to defend her Grand Prix title, but faces stiff competition from names like Millar, Lamaze, and past winners Yann Candele of France (2004) and Canadian Olympian John Pearce (2003).

Located in Ottawa’s west-end at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, at the Moodie Drive exit off of the 417 Highway, the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament attracts more than 10,000 spectators annually. Admission is $7 per person Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and $10 per person on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please visit www.capitalclassic.ca.