Horsesdaily News: Beezie Madden Wins FTI Rider Challenge

Beezie Madden Wins FTI Rider Challenge

The prizewinners on the medals podium with FTI's Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Shaughnessy and Equestrian Sport Productions' Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Bellissimo. Photo: Ken Braddick-HorseSport Wellington, FL - The FTI Rider Challenge for 2008 was won by Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY who rode her Olympic gold medal mount, Authentic, in the Penta Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Saturday.

Madden won $100,000, the second time in the three years of the FTI Rider Challenge that she has won the top award.

Canada's Eric Lamaze, who won in 2007, collected second place prize of $50,000 while Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ was third and won $30,000 and Madden's 2004 Olympic gold medal team mate, Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ was fourth to win $20,000.

The FTI Rider Challenge accumulated points from designated WEF Challenge Cup and Grand Prix events at the CN Winter Equestrian Festival presented by Zimmerman Advertising.

Reflecting on the close race all season between herself and Lamaze, Madden said: "It's been a long, hard-fought battle. This was a long series, so it rules out a lot of people. I am lucky to have a lot of horses to show and I think Eric does, too."

Madden earned her FTI Rider Challenge points with Authentic, Judgement, Onlight and Play On.

From 56 offices around the world, FTI exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value. FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history.

FTI RIDER CHALLENGE - $200,000 CN WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL
Final March 29, 2008*

Rank	Name	Country	Points
1.	Beezie Madden	USA	1723
2.	Eric Lamaze	CAN	1625
3.	Hillary Dobbs	USA	1447
4.	Chris Kappler	USA	1388.5
5.	Rodrigo Pessoa	BRA	1125
6.	Laura Kraut	USA	1109
7.	McLain Ward	USA	1073
8.	Todd Minikus	USA	1067
9.	Mario DesLauriers	CAN	1051
10.	Jeffery Welles	USA	1050
11.	Lauren Hough	USA	1030
12.	Peter Wylde	USA	1003.5
13.	Marie Hecart	FRA	949
14.	Mac Cone	CAN	934
15.	Cara Rather	USA	932
16.	Ian Millar	CAN	914
17.	Kent Farrington	USA	909
18.	Nicole Simpson	USA	897
19.	Ben Maher	GBR	896
20.	Darragh Kerins	IRL	874
21.	Peter Charles	GBR	873
22.	Christine McCrea	USA	844
23.	Danielle Torano	USA	797
24.	Anne Kursinski	USA	781
25.	Jimmy Torano	USA	757.5

Photo: The prizewinners on the medals podium with FTI's Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Shaughnessy and Equestrian Sport Productions' Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Bellissimo. Photo: Ken Braddick-HorseSport