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Kappler
Wins $150,000 AGA Championship
Royal
Kaliber Named AGA Horse of the Year, Ward Captures AGA Rider of
the Year, Torano Earns AGA Rookie of the Year
Wellington, FL—April 7, 2003—Chris Kappler of Pittstown,
NJ, and Royal Kaliber, a horse he co-owns with Kathy Kamine, were
back in the winner’s circle for the second consecutive weekend
earning the blue ribbon in the $150,000 AGA Championship, April
6, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL.
Out of the starting field of 30 horse-and-rider combinations, Kappler
and Royal Kaliber, a Dutch Warmblood stallion, were the only pair
to complete two clear rounds. Finishing behind Kappler, who won
the prestigious $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational aboard
Royal Kaliber the previous weekend in Tampa, was Kevin Babington
of Ireland aboard Carling King, owned by Kindle Hill Farm. Meredith
Beerbaum of Germany piloted Shutterfly to the third place award.
Adding to Kappler’s wins aboard Royal Kaliber in Florida was
to the horse’s being named AGA Horse of the Year for the 2002/2003
season. After a stellar 2002/2003 season, McLain Ward of Brewster,
NY, earned the AGA Rider of the Year title for the second consecutive
year and the third time overall. Danielle Torano of Wellington,
FL, was named the AGA Rookie of the Year for 2002/2003.
In the $10,000 Amateur Owner AGA Championship, it was Amanda Forte
of Glendale, PA, and Minuet who took center stage after producing
two fault-free rounds. Tani Anderson and Illusion, who won the qualifying
class earlier in the week, were the only other entry out of the
starting field of 30 horse-and-rider combinations to qualify for
the jump-off round. Anderson and Illusion had a rail down in the
jump-off and voluntarily withdrew to take the second place ribbon.
Paige Johnson of Middleburg, VA, earned the blue ribbon in the $15,000
High Junior Jumper AGA Championship aboard her Reddy Teddy. Johnson
was the only rider to produce two clear rounds. Michael Morrissey
of Wellington, FL, earned second place aboard Carrera, owned by
The Ridge Farm. Morrissey had the last rail down in the jump-off
to finish with four faults to take the second place ribbon.
Earlier in the week, Molly Ashe and Subliem, owned by Ladson LLC,
earned two blue ribbons. The pair won the Take Your Own Line Class
as well as the $10,000 1.4m Speed Championship.
Eric
Lamaze of Canada piloted Noulette, owned by Stoney Hill Farm, to
the 1.35m AGA Championship, and Rich Fellers aboard McGuinness won
the 1.45m AGA Championship.
For more information on the Winter Equestrian Festival and all its
exciting events and activities, please call Stadium Jumping, Inc.
in Wellington at (561) 793-JUMP or visit www.stadiumjumping.com.
www.stadiumjumping.com
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