Toronto, Ontario – McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, waited until the final night of international show jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show to enjoy his first victory in the $60,000 Ricoh Big Ben International Challenge.

Six of the 20 starters cleared the first round course to advance to the jump-off set by Canada’s own David Ballard of Hornby, ON. Second last to go, Ward riding Sapphire left the rails up and set a fast pace to clock in at 30.29 seconds. Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker, who had already won two grand prix classes at the Royal Horse Show, was the last to go. While he gave it his best shot, a tight turn brought the rails down, putting Whitaker into third place by being the fastest of the four fault rounds in an incredibly fast time of 29.91 seconds riding Portofino, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare. Great Britain’s Andrew Davies, the only other rider to post double clear rounds, took second place riding Limbo V.

United States Equestrian Team member Alison Firestone took fourth position riding Casanova while Michael Grinyer was Canada’s top finisher in fifth position. 2001 and 2002 Canadian Show Jumping Champion Ainsley Vince of Milton, ON, was the only other rider to advance to the jump-off where she incurred eight faults with Catch 22, a Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Trinity Farms.

Victory in the $60,000 Ricoh Big Ben Challenge not only earned Ward $20,000 in prize money but also the George Jacobsen Memorial Trophy as the Leading International Rider Award. Ian Millar of Perth, ON, was named the Leading Canadian Rider and was awarded the Lt. Col. Stuart C. Bate Memorial Trophy. Two horses tied for the All-Canadian Cup for the Leading Canadian Horse. Todd and Nancy Snell’s Nicos, ridden by Millar, and Eddie Creed’s Gottier Manciais, shown by Eric Lamaze.

The Royal Horse Show takes place at the brand-new Ricoh Coliseum at the National Trade Center from November 7-16. Show jumping competitors will compete for a total of $290,000 in prize money in the international division over ten days of competition.

For more information on the 2003 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org. To purchase tickets for this year’s event, please contact Ticketmaster at (416) 870-8000.

$60,000 ‘Ricoh’ Big Ben International Challenge – Final Standings