Posted April 9, 2006

Olympic Gold Medalists Beat Out Local Rider in Exciting Jump Off at Charlotte Jumper Classic

Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil Wins $30,000 Charlotte Welcome Stake

Charlotte, NC - April 8, 2006 – The $30,000 Welcome Stake, the last class of the Saturday evening Charlotte Jumper Classic session proved to be the most exciting with a six-person jump off featuring the best riders in the world.

Six riders out of a field of 25 delivered a clear round and headed to a jump off. All six are accomplished equestrians. First up was five-time Nation’s Cup and seven-time World Cup winner Laura Kraut on Panic. Kraut delivered a 4-fault performance in a time of 36.56. Next up was crowd favorite and Hickory, NC native Eliza Shuford on Larentino. Shuford became the person to beat with a clear round of 36.34. Georgina Bloomberg and amateur owner national champion Danielle Torano followed, but failed to beat Shuford.

McLain Ward from Brewster, NY was next to enter the ring on his mount Goldicka. A member of the 2004 US Olympic Gold Medal team and a three-time AGA rider of the year, McLain and Larentino beat out Shuford by 2.2 seconds to take the lead with a clear round and a time of 34.12.

The last rider of the evening was Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil. Pessoa is the number three ranked rider in the world and earned an individual gold medal at the 2004 Olympics. Rodrigo and his steady horse Baloubet Du Rouet delivered a flawless and fast round of 31.19 in front of an enthusiastic crowd to take the class.

Top Results of Class 3 – Charlotte Welcome Stake, A-238.2.2

Rodrigo Pessoa – Baloubet Du Rouet – 0/31.19
McLain Ward – Goldika – 0/34.12
Eliza Shuford - Larentino – 0/36.34
Laura Kraut - Panic – 0/4/36.56
Danielle Torano – Capitano – 0/4/37.40
Georgina Bloomberg - Riviera 0/4/39.40

The Charlotte Jumper Classic continues on Sunday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m. and features the Charlotte Adult Jumper Classic, Charlotte Amateur-Owner Junior Classic and the exciting finale – the $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte where the most accomplished riders will square off.

Tickets for Sunday’s Grand Prix are $10.00 - $20.00 and just $5.00 for kids. Tickets are available online at CharlotteBobcatsArena.com, or by calling 1-800-495-2295. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center ticket outlet.

The Charlotte Jumper Classic is a charitable event for the Charlotte Bobcats Charitable Foundation. Net proceeds from the 2006 Charlotte Jumper Classic benefit the Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital.

Charlotte Bobcats Arena, located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, opened in fall 2005 and is home to the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, WNBA’s Charlotte Sting, and ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers. The state-of-the-art arena is host to more than 125 events a year including sports, concerts and family entertainment.

CONTACT: Jamie Banks, Charlotte Bobcats Arena, (704) 688-8789 (o); (704) 258-3901(c); jbanks@BobcatsSE.com

PHOTO CAPTION: Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil completes a jump on his horse Baloubet Du Rouet during the Charlotte Welcome Stake, CSI during the 2006 Charlotte Jumper Classic Saturday, April 8, 2006 at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Pessoa won in a jump of with a time of 31.19. (Photo by Chris Keane)