Wellington, Florida
February 21, 1999:
1996 Olympic Team Silver Medalist, Peter Leone of Stamford, CT, won the $75,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup aboard the 13 year-old Dutchbred gelding, Crown Royal Lagato at the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival.

Phelps Photo of this enduring team shown here at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Leone turned in the only double clear rounds with a jump-off time of 42.55 seconds, edging five time Budweiser rider of the year, Margie Goldstein-Engle of Wellington, FL, up on the 8 year-old Holsteiner, Hidden Creekís Christo. Engle finished the jump-off track with no jumping faults, but could not beat the 44 second time allowed after recovering from a near fall after the third fence in the jump-off. She finished the course in 45.80 seconds and incurred 2 time faults. The third place finish went to 1996 Olympic Team Silver Medalist Leslie Howard up on Clover Leaf. Howard had the fastest time of 40.80 seconds, but had 4 faults at fence four.

The course was designed by 1996 Olympic course designer Linda Allen. The course had 14 fences that required 17 jumping efforts. There was no triple combination, however the course contained three double combinations. Five veteran riders made it to the jump-off, including three olympians. "The course rewarded the top of the sport," said the 38-year-old Leone. "I was lucky to have a late draw and Iím old enough and experienced enough to take a good shot of the advantage. There was an opening (in the jump-off) and I managed to gallop through it."

The top twelve finishers in the $75,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup were:

        Place Horse               Rider                  Score      Purse
	1     Crown Royal Legato  Peter Leone            0-0-42.55  $22,500
        2     Christo             Margie Goldstein-Engle 0-2-45.80  $16,500
        3     Clover Leaf         Leslie Howard          0-4-40.80  $11,000
        4     Caras J             Joe Fargis             0-7-46.80  $ 7,500
        5     Oh Star             Todd Minikus           elim.      $ 5,500
        6     Gladyola            Federico Sztyrle       4-82.31    $ 3,250
        7     Playboy             Todd Minikus           4-83.08    $ 2,000
        8     Belladonna          Katie Prudent          4-85.64    $ 1,750
        9     Evita               McLain Ward            4-85.81    $ 1,500
       10     Mr. Blue            Elise Haas             4-86.96    $ 1,250
       11     Orfebre             Debbie Stephens        4-87.08    $ 1,125
       12     Montrachet          Elise Haas             4-88.00    $ 1,125

Related Links:

• See a video clip of Leone and Legato's winning round!
  
• Other related links
  • Ryegate Show Services
    
  • Stadium Jumping Website