Toronto, Ontario -November 15, 2002- In cross-border duel, American Beezie Madden and Canada’s Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, battled it out for the win in Friday’s $50,000 President’s Cup for international show jumping riders at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show.

The fourth rider into the ring, and the fourth to post a clear round, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, stopped the clocks in a time of 68.60 seconds to take the lead with Mill Creek Raphael, a 12-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by Mill Creek Stables of Cambridge, ON. As rider after rider had faults, it looked as though Lamaze would be the winner until the final rider into the ring, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, posted an unbelievably fast time of 65.88 seconds with Conquest II.

“I had the advantage of going at the end,” said Madden of her key to success with the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Patton. “He just started at the end of this summer doing bigger classes and he’s placed in almost every grand prix we’ve put him in.”

Madden took home the winner’s share of $16,000 for the win, while Lamaze was rewarded with $12,000 for his efforts.

While Madden benefited from being the final rider into the ring, Florida-based Schuyler Riley had the disadvantage of going first. Her clear round in a time of 70.34 seconds aboard Ilian still earned Riley third place.

Finishing fourth in a time of 71.12 seconds was Eric van der Vleuten of the Netherlands riding the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Audi’s Castana. 19-year-old Keean White of Cambridge, ON, who has burst onto the grand prix scene this season, placed fifth. Despite being the second rider into the ring, White piloted Arriscraft Rocca, an eight-year-old selle francais gelding, to a time of 74.95 seconds.

Saturday afternoon, animal lovers of all ages will enjoy the $20,000 Canine/Equine Challenge that sees international show jumping riders paired with performing dogs, each completing their own obstacle course. While competition in the Coliseum continues through to Sunday, the Royal Horse Show will celebrate Closing Ceremonies in front of a sold-out crowd on Saturday evening featuring the $60,000 Big Ben International Challenge.

$50,000 President’s Cup