McLain Ward And Hurricane Win $30,000 Ariat WEF Challenge Cup Series
Finale
TAMPA,
FL – March 31, 2004 – McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, riding
Hurricane I for Turnabout Farm won the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup
Finale CSI-W today at the Tournament of Champions in Tampa, Florida.
Topping a field of 36 horses, Ward rode the fastest of three clear
rounds in a six-horse jump-off to claim victory and $9,000 in prize
money. Laura Linback of Mundelein, IL, aboard Remember Me 9 owned
by Woodrun Farm placed second. Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown, NJ,
riding Sun God for owners Ron and Cheryl Krise placed third.
The
$30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Finale was the ninth and final class in
the 2004 WEF Challenge Cup Series. Ward notched five wins in the
series, including three aboard Hurricane.
“We
had a good run,” said Ward. “He jumped super all circuit.”
Luc
Musette of Belgium designed the 16-effort Round One, which featured
a double at No. 5 and a triple at No. 11 with Time Allowed set at
79 seconds. Rails fell at every fence except for No. 7 but the big
bogeys were the triple, which caught 16 riders and No. 12 added
faults to 13 horses’ trips. In addition to Hurricane, Ward
also rode Goldika 559 and Quickstar II Z, both owned by Double H
Farm, and had one rail down with each of them in the first round,
ending up in tie for seventh place with the 17 four-faulters. “Hurricane
was my third ride so I was able to correct some of the little mistakes
I had with the earlier rides,” explained Ward.
Six
horses went clean for the eight-effort tiebreaker. Kursinski led
off and set the pace with her clear round aboard Sun God in 39.02
seconds, well under the 52-second time allowed, but it was only
good enough for third place. Ward immediately overtook her lead,
posting a blazing clear round in 35.83 seconds. The remaining four
riders chased Ward’s time, but could not catch him. Going third
in the order, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, aboard Authentic logged
four faults in 46.11 to finish fifth. Schuyler Riley of Hobe Sound,
FL, and Opus Sept had a rail in 38.43 for fourth. Linback went clean
in 38.57 for third. Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, aboard Sasha
accumulated 12 faults in 40.60 seconds for sixth.
“Everything
just showed up great for us,” said Ward, noting that his mount
is an older, experienced horse. Missy Clark trains the 15-year-old
German warmblood gelding.
The
$30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Finale was also the final World Cup Qualifier
for the East Coast League, and determined the final tally of points.
The seven highest scoring riders from the East Coast will represent
the US at the World Cup Final in Milan, Italy, on April 21-25, 2004.
Topping the league was Molly Ashe of Wellington, FL, with 89 points.
Ward was right behind Ashe with 81 points. “I’ll take
Goldika and Sapphire to the World Cup,” Ward said.
For
complete results, visit www.stadiumjumping.com
Final
World Cup Points Earned For East Coast League Riders
Following
today’s $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Finale, the final points
earned in the East Coast League were tallied. The seven members
of the team headed for Milan, Italy, will be announced from the
following list:
Molly
Ashe 89
McLain
Ward 81
Laura
Linback 80
Beezie
Madden 76
Margie
Engle 69
Chris
Kappler 66
Norman
Dello Joio 65
Laura
Kraut 64
Todd
Minikus 64
Alison
Firestone 56
Leslie
Howard 56
Aaron
Vale 52
2004
WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Show
days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa, FL, are Tuesday
through Saturday, March 30-April 3. Gates open at 8:00am and action
continues through late afternoon. The Bob Thomas Equestrian Center
is located off Orient Road at the Tampa Fairgrounds. Admission and
parking are free. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com.
AMERICAN
INVITATIONAL
For
ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune, visit www.TicketMaster.com
or call (813) 253-2782 or Toll-Free (877) 909-9436. Ticket prices
range from $20 to $70 for reserved seating at the Raymond James
Stadium.
2004
WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS
March
30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian
Center)
April
3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)
WEF
2004 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES
April
3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational,
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune
CHARLOTTE
JUMPER CLASSIC CSI****
Charlotte
Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
April
9 -11 Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI****
April
11 $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte For the Charlotte Bobcat Cup
.
|