President’s Cup Qualifier Sets the Pace

Washinton, DC - October 23, 2003 - The anticipation in the exhibitor’s warm up arena was high on Thursday afternoon, as the top open jumper riders in the USA, Ireland, Great Britain, and Canada returned from walking the course for the President’s Cup Qualifier Class, sponsored by RLJ Development, put forth by course designer Richard Jeffrey of Bournemouth, England.

To qualify for Saturday evening’s $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, riders needed to finish in the top 20 of the class. For those who didn’t make the cut, there was an opportunity for 2 more riders to qualify in the Friday afternoon open jumper class.

The course, with 14 jumping efforts, including a triple combination and a double combination proved to be a challenge from the beginning with Ireland’s Kevin Babington aboard Carling King - the 2nd rider to go. Babington rode with great speed, but racked up 20 faults, putting him at the bottom of the evening’s standings.

Clear rounds were posted by 12 of the 33 entries allowing for an exciting jump off. The jump off consisted of 6 jumping efforts with 2 short-route options where riders could save time.

Laura Kraut riding Quickstar II Z, a 9 year-old Selle Francais mare owned by Pasmore Stables, posted the first double clear and set the time to beat at 57.16. But it was McLain Ward riding Goldika 559, an 11 year old Holsteiner mare owned by Double H Farm, who reset the time to beat with a blazing 50.38.

When asked about his mind-set going into the President’s Cup Grand Prix on Saturday, Ward replied,

“There are some great people, but I am working to remain focused and do the best rounds I can do. When you do your homework, practice and go in there prepared, hopefully it will be enough to win.”

Beezie Madden riding Authentic, an 8 year-old Canadian-bred gelding owned by John Madden and Elizabeth Busch Burke was the second closest to Ward’s time, but could only manage to post a time of 53.16.

When asked about her thoughts about the field of competition in Saturday night’s Grand Prix, Madden stated,

“It’s quite a good field, which was really evident today with 12 clear. There are great horses jumping here - the ones that qualified and even the ones that did not qualify are really jumping well.”

Third place was close, as Alison Firestone aboard Casanova, a 13 year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone, posted a time of 53.77.

Top 20 places to advance to President’s Cup Grand Prix:

• 1. McLain Ward Goldika 559
• 2. Beezie Madden Authentic
• 3. Alison Firestone Casanova
• 4. Norman Dello Joio Glasgow
• 5. Judy Garofalo Priobert de Kalvarie
• 6. Laura Linback Remember Me 9
• 7. Lauren Hough Clasiko
• 8. Laura Kraut Quickstar II Z
• 9. Joe Fargis Edgar
• 10. Jimmy Torano Gibson
• 11. Christine Tribble Vegas
• 12. Callan Solem Allison
• 13. Andrew Davies Limbo V
• 14. Aaron Vale Picasso S 2
• 15. Margie Engle Hidden Creek’s Perin
• 16. Molly Ashe Resolute
• 17. Ken Berkley Maestro
• 18. Todd Minikus Viktor
• 19. Candice King Quintin
• 20. Michael Walton Elu De La Hardiere