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Margie
Engle Makes History with Third Consecutive Win in the $150,000
Prudential Financial Grand Prix at the 2002 Hampton Classic
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BRIDGEHAMPTON,
NY— September 1, 2002 — For the third year in a row, Margie
Goldstein-Engle of Wellington, FL, celebrated victory in the $150,000
Prudential Financial Grand Prix to close out the 27th annual Hampton
Classic Horse Show.
Engle
made Hampton Classic history by becoming the first rider to win
the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix for three consecutive
years. From the 37 horse-rider combinations who contested Sunday’s
Grand Prix, Engle was the first to post a clear round despite being
only the fourth rider to successfully tackle the challenge set by
course designer Conrad Homfeld.
First
back for the five-horse jump-off, there was no doubt of Engle’s
intent to win as she blistered around the course in a time of 41.58
seconds aboard Hidden Creek’s Perin, her Sydney Olympic mount.
Engle waited for the other four riders to find out if her time would
hold, but none who followed even came close to besting Engle’s
faultless performance.
“This
is such a special event, the spectators are fantastic,” said
Engle, 44, who claimed the winner’s share of $45,000 for the
victory. “Making it challenging was that I went early in the
class, but everything worked out just right. Perin is a world-class
horse and he does it so easily. He’s just so big and powerful.”
The
win was even sweeter for Engle as she had a mishap earlier in the
day during the 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Championships, Eastern League
Finals, when she fell off and her foot became entangled in the stirrup.
“Luckily
my boot came off, but I was hoping it would stretch my leg!”
joked the diminutive Engle.
Long-time
United States Equestrian Team rider Debbie Stephens’ strategy
to go slow and steady paid off with a clear round in a time of 47.68
seconds, over six seconds slower than Engle. Her best finish in
all the years competing at the Hampton Classic, Stephens earned
$33,000 for her performance with the small yet careful Chappie.
“This
is the only horse show in America that feels like you’re in
Europe!” commented Stephens, who had just returned from competing
aboard. “I love this horse show!”
Local
rider Laura Bowery of Bridgehampton, NY, had her best finish in
the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, finishing third with
Florin du Murier, an eight-year-old selle francais gelding owned
by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dimenna.
“I’m
trying to teach this horse to go fast at these heights, and I was
just thrilled with him,” said the 33-year-old Bowery.
Joe
Fargis was fourth with Edgar after having four faults in the jump-off
while 2000 Olympian Laura Kraut had the fastest time, 40.69 seconds,
but eight faults left her in fifth position with Liberty.
The
$150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix also marked the opening
of the U.S.A. East Coast World Cup Qualifying League. Engle takes
the early lead in the standings on the road to the Budweiser Show
Jumping World Cup Final to be held at the Thomas and Mack Center
in Las Vegas, NV, April 16-20, 2003.
The
Hampton Classic is one of the nation’s premier show jumping
competitions. Many of the world’s best equestrians competed
for more than $250,000 in prize money during the Classic, benefiting
the Southampton Hospital. Each day of the show was devoted to special
events and social activities, and culminated with the $150,000 Prudential
Financial Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1.
In
addition to the competition, spectators were 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.
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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