McLain Ward Tough As Nails in $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix at the 2002 Hampton Classic Horse Show

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY— August 31, 2002 — McLain Ward flew to the finish with Flier to win the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix at the 27th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY.

Only four of 35 horse-rider combinations advanced to the jump-off over the course set by American Olympic team gold medalist, Conrad Homfeld. Ward was the only rider to post a second clear round when he returned for the jump-off and also had the fastest time, 38.55 seconds.

“He’s a very green horse, we only bought him in April, but I felt he handled himself wonderfully,” said Ward, who owns the 8-year-old selle francais gelding in partnership with Harry Gill. “I went as fast as I could today, I felt this was the time to push him and see how he would react.”

The Sally Hansen Grand Prix was the only competition held on the grand prix field as show organizers are attempting to preserve the grass footing, which suffered from heavy rainfall on Thursday, for Sunday’s $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

“The management is doing everything they can, but it is an outdoor sport on grass footing,” remarked Ward, who will ride two horses in Sunday’s grand prix, the maximum allowed.

Ramiro Quintana, who is based in Southampton, NY, placed second riding Lacost with a four-fault round in a time of 38.60 seconds. 1992 Olympic individual bronze medalist Norman Dello Joio of Wellington, FL, also had four faults with Warsaw, but his much slower time of 42.36 seconds left him in third position.

The only other rider to advance to the jump-off was Megan Lamaze of Orinda, CA. Riding Ramirique Royale, a nine-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Eddie Creed and Martinwood Farm, she had ten faults in the jump-off to finish fourth.

In a special retirement ceremony in the grand prix ring, the Hampton Classic Horse Show said good-bye to a champion hunter. ‘Seconds At Last’ had carried numerous riders to success in the hunter ring, his final rider being19-year-old Stephanie Riggio of New York City, NY, with whom he won championship ribbons up and down the east coast. A 19-year-old thoroughbred gelding, ‘Seconds At Last’ will be retired to Riggio’s Meadow View Farm in Water Mill, NY.

The Hampton Classic is one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions. Many of the world’s best equestrians are competing for more than $250,000 in prize money during the Classic, which benefits the Southampton Hospital. Each day of the show is devoted to special events and social activities, culminating with the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1.

In addition to the competition, spectators will be treated to a variety of other exciting exhibits including the Boutique Garden’s numerous vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and an Exhibition Horse/Children’s area open throughout the week.

The Hampton Classic continues through Sunday, September 1. Admission is $5 per person or $15 per carload per day, with children under 6 admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 1, is $15 per person (in addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission) or $25 per person for premium front-row seating. Parking throughout the show is free.

For more information and full competition results, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call 631-537-3177.

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