Ward
Wins $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix to Culminate the 2003
Hampton Classic Horse Show
Bridgehampton, NY—August 31, 2003-- The 28th Annual Hampton
Classic Horse Show was once again the perfect end to the perfect
summer. McLain Ward of Brewster, NY rode Hurricane, owned by Sarah
B. Willeman & Turnabout Farm, to win his third $150,000 Prudential
Financial Grand Prix in Bridgehampton, NY. The former mayor of New
York City, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, presented Ward with his award.
After the qualifying competition, the $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix
held on Friday, August 29, 29 horses qualified to compete in the
week’s highlighted event. Out of the starting field, only five
horse-and-rider combinations managed to ride clear over Olympian
Conrad Homfeld’s first round course to qualify to ride over
the shortened jump-off course.
Going first in the jump-off, Ward was the only rider to leave all
eight fences of the jump-off in place. With all the rails still
remaining in the cups, Ward crossed through the timers in a time
of 41.48 seconds to earn his third $150,000 Prudential Financial
Grand Prix win. Margie Engle of Wellington, FL to hold the is the
only other rider to have accumulated three wins in the $150,000
Prudential Financial Grand Prix.
Although he was the first to go, Ward exited the ring and knew he
had done his best. “I thought I had won it- I was sure…
I went as fast as I could push my horse to go. I don’t think
I could have gone much faster,” he explained.
Although Ward was in the winner’s circle here in the Hamptons
in 1998 and 1999 aboard Twist du Valon, this was a special win for
him. “This was a big deal for me. It was a big course, as big
as I’ve seen it,” Ward said.
Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL piloted Viktor, owned by Mr. Harry
Gill, to a second place finish. The fastest of the four fault rounds,
Minikus crossed through the timers in a time of 40.10 seconds. A
former mount of Ward’s, he knew the horse’s strengths
and was slightly worried to have him going in the ring behind him.
“I know how fast that horse is, and how fast Todd is so I was
a little worried, but I was happy to see them do so well,”
Ward said.
Two-time $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix winner, Jeffery
Wells of Pound Ridge, NY rode Penelope to finish third with four
faults and a time of 42.03 seconds.
The 28th Hampton Classic Horse Show featured the top riders in the
country competing in Bridgehampton, NY. The week long event, which
ran from August 24-31, was highlighted by the $150,000 Prudential
Financial Grand Prix, a member event of the King Shavings U.S. Grand
Prix League (USGPL) along with the $30,000 Adequan® Fiesta Day
Grand Prix, the qualifying event for Sunday’s $150,000 Prudential
Financial Grand Prix, and the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix on
Saturday, August 30.
Numerous activities and exhibitions took place throughout the week
while shopping was at its best in the Boutique Garden and Stable
Row. .
www.hamptonclassic.com
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