Beisel was the first to ride in the jump-off with Cordelia and had two refusals, resulting in elimination. Melissa Hirt followed with Galoupard and left all fences up, stopping the clock at 47.028 seconds. Morgan Kennedy and Zaboomerang competed third and knocked several seconds off Hirt's time with a speedy round that included slicing two verticals to finish in 43.976 seconds.

Renee Lenkart piloted Odaus next and put in a smooth, steady fault-free round, finishing in 49.515 seconds. Erin Haas and her second mount of the class, Chianti 67, also jumped clean and made several short turns for a time of 44.731 seconds. Lenkart followed on Impulsive, owned by Bennett Sport Horses, and rode a textbook perfect jump-off round, angling several fences and maintaining a fast clip through the course to break the beams at 40.007 seconds.

Hodges and Audio-K rode next and gave Lenkart a run for his money. The pair, however, finished just behind the fastest time at 40.747 seconds to take second place. Beisel finished up the class with Patoile, a big bay mare, but couldn't catch Lenkart despite great efforts. The pair stopped the timers at 41.373 seconds for third place.

"It was a very generous course," Lenkart explained. "I thought at the end of the course, there'd be at least 10 clear. With that many clear, I just thought to be nice and tidy, just clear, that's the most important thing. He's always fast - always. The biggest thing is just to keep it under control, knowing there were fast riders behind me - I just had to keep it under control."

In addition to winning today's grand prix, Lenkart was also awarded the Ovation Leading Open Jumper Rider award, sponsored by English Riding Supply. The awards are presented to the rider who has accumulated the most points over the past three weeks in their respective divisions. Each winner receives a $500 English Riding Supply gift certificate.

He explained that the pair's consistency had been a result of their longtime partnership. "That is the first time I've ever gotten (the Leading Rider award) so that was fun," Lenkart said. "I only had one horse, which tells you how consistent he is. This is our third year - I've definitely figured it out. I know to get him quiet, just work him, try to get him in a good mood, which is part of having had him for a few years."

Kennedy and Zaboomerang finished in fourth place, while Haas and Chianti 67 took fifth. Hirt and Galoupard rounded out the top six, and Renee Lenkart finished in seventh on Odaus. Beisel took eighth place with the fastest four-fault first round on Irish Hunt.

Competition at the three-week equestrian festival at Horse Shows by the Bay concludes on Sunday afternoon. For more information, please visit www.horsesportsbythebay.com.

For complete results, please visit www.horseshowing.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Lenkart and Impulsive, winners of the $25,000 Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix, sponsored by D-Braider, at Horse Shows by the Bay III. Photo (C) 2007 Chrissy Lane/Phelps Media Group.