Kappler
Jumps To The Top In The $50,000 Garden State Grand Prix
AUGUSTA,
NJ—May 2, 2003 — Chris Kappler of Flemington, NJ, added
another grand prix win to his impressive resume as he galloped Profox
across the timers in 32.043 seconds in the $50,000 Garden State
Grand Prix held on Saturday, May 3, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds
in Augusta, NJ.
The Garden State Horse show takes place from April 30- May 4 and
is the largest horse show in New Jersey. There were a record 1151
entries who competed in the five-day hunter/jumper show.
Profox was one of ten horses to jump clean over the Anthony D’Ambrosio-
designed course. Kappler also piloted two others in the second round
– Rafiki and Korina.
The
battle for the blue came down to Kappler and McLain Ward of Brewster,
NY. Ward rode two in the jump off, but it was Galant who put the
heat on Kappler as he posted a 32.523 on the board and jumped into
the lead just moments before Kappler returned as the last to go.
“The
kid’s lethal,” said Kappler referring to Ward’s speed
and accuracy. Kappler knew he needed to cut time and ride a faster
track than he did on Korina. Sitting in the second and third position
he had “nothing to lose.”
The win at Garden State was the first big grand prix win for Profox,
a ten-year-old Rhinelander owned by Jorgen Winroth. The $50,000
Garden State Grand Prix is presented by the Junior Essex Troop Alumni
and boasted 30 entries in this year’s edition.
Sunday’s
schedule includes the $5000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior &
Amateur Owner Prix as well as the $2500 Garden State Junior &
Amateur Owner Prix. Spectators can get into the show grounds free
of charge. Also taking place on Sunday are the Marshall & Sterling
Jumper League Adult and Children’s classes. Both are North
American League events.
The
North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter
and jumper divisions – Children’s Hunter, Children’s
Jumper, Adult Hunter, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and Open Jumper
Speed. Each series culminates with a championship final at the Pennsylvania
National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, in October. Riders need not
be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but
only current members earn points toward year-end finals. For more
information and a list of qualifying competitions for 2003, please
visit the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.
For
information on the Garden State Horse Show please call the show
office at 973-948-5022.
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