Gladstone, NJ—June 14, 2001— All Debbie McDonald could say after completing the winning ride at today’s USET Festival of Champions Grand Prix Class is "What a heart". That is because Brentina, Peggy Thomas’s magnificent mare had broken out in a puzzling case of hives, shortly before her class. After a strong dose of cool water, McDonald and Brentina went in to perform a 72.3% ride that brought spectators to their feet with a resounding applause.

JudgesE: Evi EisenhardtH: Mary Anne McPhailC: Linda ZangM: Lorraine McDonnaldB: Jessica Ransehousen

Rider: Deborah McDonald of Hailey, ID Horse: Brentina (Hannoverian mare by Brentano II out of Lisselott)Owner: Peggy ThomasE: 368 – H: 363 – C: 354 – M: 362 – B: 361 Total: 1808 %72.320

Rider: Guenter Seidel of Del Mar, CA Horse: [#28985 override=”Nikolaus 7″ title=”Nikolaus 7″] (Westfalian Gelding by Weinberg out of Elise)Owner: Dick & Jane BrownE: 338 – H: 350 – C: 344 – M: 337 – B: 345 Total: 1714 %68.56

Rider: [#29281 override=”Steffen Peters of Escondido, CA” title=”Steffen Peters of Escondido, CA”] Horse: Grandeur (KWPN Dutch WB Gelding by John U to Berry out of Cisca)Owner: Lila KommerstadE: 340 – H: 332 – C: 335 – M: 324 – B: 321 Total: 1652 %66.080

Rider: George Williams of Delaware, OH Horse: Westphalian Mare by Rocher by Rolls Royce out of FraenziOwner: Joann SmithE: 321 – H: 319 – C: 338 – M: 309 – B: 327 Total: 1614 %64.56

Rider: [#29050 override=”Cherri Reiber of Toronto, ON ” title=”Cherri Reiber of Toronto, ON “]Horse: G Tudor (KWPN Dutch Warmblood Gelding )Owner: Cherri ReiberE: 324 – H: 323 – C: 319 – M: 323 – B: 322 Total: 1611 %64.440

Rider: Susan Dutta of Thornwood, NY Horse: [#29000 override=”Gum Shoes-DC ” title=”Gum Shoes-DC “] (KWPN Dutch Gelding by Joost out of Suzan/NimmedorOwner: Susan DuttaE: 315 – H: 324 – C: 319 – M: 316 – B: 324 Total: 1598 %63.920

Rider: Pamela Goodrich of Boscawen, NH Horse: Melville (Danish Gelding by May Sherif out of OpticalOwner: Pamela GoodrichE: 321 – H: 323 – C: 316 – M: 311 – B: 321 Total: 1592 %63.680

Rider: Nancy Polozker of Wellington, FLHorse: Dutch Indy (KWPN Dutch Gelding by Le Mexico out of a Calvados dam)Owner: Nancy SullivanE: 323 – H: 328 – C: 315 – M: 307 – B: 311 Total: 1584 %63.360

Rider: James Armstrong of Glyndon, MD Horse: [#28994 override=”Gustaaf” title=”Gustaaf”] (KWPN Dutch Gelding by Flamingo out of Citrona/NoortgedachtOwner: Patsy WardE: 314 – H: 322 – C: 310 – M: 311 – B: 310 Total: 1567 %62.680

Rider: Lynda Alicki-Gilchrist of Wellington, FL Horse: [#29022 override=”Impressario” title=”Impressario”] (KWPN Gelding by Darwin out of Elina/Zebulon)Owner: Lynda Alicki-GilchristE: 310 – H: 312 – C: 309 – M: 309 – B: 301 Total: 1541 %61.64

Rider: Susan Dutta of Thornwood, NY Horse:[#28992 override=” Xandarius Fernando” title=” Xandarius Fernando”] (Danish gelding by Ragtime out of Amelia)Owner: Xandarius LLCE: 310 – H: 308 – C: 304 – M: 301 – B: 293 Total: 1508 %60.28

Rider: Sherry Van’t Riet Horse: Sudan Owner: Sherry Van’t RietE: 305 – H: 296 – C: 307 – M: 298 – B: 295 Total: 1501 %60.040

Stay tuned to DressageDaily.com as we will be "On the Scene" covering this exciting event.