Margie Engle Wins The $75,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Masters Cup At The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, Florida—February 26, 2002—U.S. Olympian and seven-time AGA Rider of the Year Margie Goldstein-Engle won the $75,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Masters Cup during week five of the 2002 Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival. This was the 107th grand prix victory for the 43-year-old Wellington resident who, aboard her 2000 Olympic mount Hidden Creek’s Perin, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding, blazed her way to victory during the grand prix event.

“I figured to just give it a shot in the jump-off,” said Engle, who leads all riders in career victories. “He turned super for me. I feel like he’s on form. I’ve been saving him. He’s plenty fit.”

Only four of 46 entries advanced to the eight-obstacle jump-off course after riding penalty-free over the first-round course designed by Olaf Petersen of Muenster, Germany. Engle raced through the jump-off course in 41.16 seconds to earn the winner’s share of $22,500. Two-time Pan American Games team Bronze Medalist Debbie Stephens of Palmetto, FL aboard Cosequin’s Chappie finished second in 43.23 seconds. 1992 Olympic individual Bronze Medalist, Norman Dello Joio of Wellington, FL riding Glasgow placed third in 44.80 seconds.

Katie Prudent took first and third place in the $7,500 Cosequin 1.45m Time First Jump-Off. Prudent, a resident of Middleburg, VA now riding for France, won the blue ribbon aboard Van Holland, a 12 –year-old Dutch-bred bay owned by Zeidler Farm, with a clean jump-off time of 36.711 seconds. Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY placed second on her mount Conquest II, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Patton of Cedarburg, WI. Madden finished with a jump-off time of 38.582 seconds. Prudent came back with the third place ribbon with another Zeidler Farm-owned horse, Lemon Park, finishing just splits behind Madden with a jump-off time of 38.668 seconds.

Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ captured his second grand prix win of the season in the $25,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Challenge Cup. Kappler, aboard Ursa Major, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood, owned by High Dunes Farm of Grand Haven MI, bested a field of 61 starters with a blistering jump-off ride of 36.97 seconds. Only 6 horse-and-rider combinations emerged clean to advance to the jump-off. Nona Garson of Lebanon, NJ, up on her 2000 Sydney Olympic mount Rhythmical, finished in second place with a time of 37.64 seconds. Third place went to Danielle Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL aboard Lojona, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc. of Key Biscayne, FL, who finished just splits behind Garson with a time of 37.72 seconds.

Madden jumped into the winner’s circle aboard the 9-year-old Warmblood gelding, Alzu Woodlands in the $5,000 AmeriChoice/NAL Open Speed Challenge. The duo bested 96 horse-and-rider combinations through the 15-obstacle course with the fastest time of 71.819 seconds. McLain Ward of Brewster, NY aboard Galant finished second with a time of 72.877 seconds. Third place went to Jonathon Millar, son of Canadian Olympian Ian Millar, up on Fosters with a time of 73.602 seconds.

Christine Tribble of Suffield, CT aboard Madonna took top honors in the $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur Owner Jumper Classic. The pair was flawless with a jump-off time of 45.576 seconds, defeating 56 starters for the blue ribbon. Second place went to Robin Sweely of Madison, VA up on Carlow Clover. Cody Baird of Greenwich, CT won the $15,000 BET On Jazz High Junior Jumper Classic on Orlandea, owned by October Farm. Paige Johnson of Washington, DC placed second on her Just Dreamin’.

The 2002 Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival offers $3 million in total prizes during an eleven-week series, which runs in Wellington, FL (January 23-March 10) and Tampa, FL (March 13-March 31). The Festival hosts the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday evening, March 30. The series then returns to Wellington for the culminating event, the American Grandprix Association Championship, April 3-7.

$75,000 ZADA ENTERERPRISES LLC WELLINGTON CUP

Wellington, Florida – February 24, 2002

Course Designer: Olaf Petersen (Germany)

Placing/Horse_______ Rider________ _ Hometown____ Faults-Time___ Purse
1. Hidden Creek’s Perin Margie Goldstein-Engle Wellington, FL 0-0-41.16 $22,500
2. Cosequin’s Chappie Debbie Stephens Palmetto, FL 0-0-43.23 16,500
3. Glasgow Norman Dello Joio Wellington, FL 0-0-44.80 9,750
4. Cecilia Jimmy Torano Ft. Lauderdale, FL 0-4-44.44 6,000
5. Laredo Aaron Vale Rembert, SC 4 4,500
6. Viktor McLain Ward Brewster, NY 4 3,750
7. Carousel Ramiro Quintana Buenos Aires, Argentina 4 3,000
8. Oh Star Todd Minikus Loxahatchee, FL 4 2,250
9. Anthen Laura Kraut Oconomowoc, WI 4 2,250
10.Laddidor Francie Steinwedell Carvin, CA 4 1,500
11.Caliskan Candice King Wellington, FL 4 1,500
12.Eros Anne Kursinki Flemington, NJ 4 1,500