Chris Kappler Wins $50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup, presented by Fleet Financial

Gladstone, NJ—February 4, 2002—Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ rode Royal Kaliber to victory in the $50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup presented by Fleet Financial at the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club.

Kappler, who gained his first major win on the 10-year-old Dutch-bred stallion he owns with Kathy Kamine, topped a field of 63 entries. Nine entries qualified for the jump-off by riding penalty-free over the first-round course designed by Guilherme Nogueira-Jorge of Brazil. Kappler completed the eight-obstacle jump-off course fault-free in 47.57 seconds to earn the winner’s share of $15,000.

"He's been an amazing horse for me," said Kappler, who purchased the horse 18 months ago. "He's my kind of horse. He's very big, very light and jumps with such ease. I knew when I sat on him the first time that he and I were perfectly suited for each other."

Finishing second was Gabriella Salick of Thousand Oaks, CA, aboard Sandstone Pelota de Goma with a clean jump-off ride in 50.51 seconds. Salick was also the Reserve Champion last year when she placed second on Sandstone Dorianna to Aaron Vale of Rembert, SC who won on Elan Corianna.

Marley Goodman of Palm Beach, FL, finished third on Appropos with the day’s only other clean jump-off ride. She finished in 54.72 seconds.

The Bayer/USET Wellington Cup will be televised on Outdoor Life Network on Tuesday, February 12 at 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm (Eastern and Pacific time). It will re-air on Monday, February 18 at 11:00 am (Eastern and Pacific).

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

$50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup, Presented by Fleet Financial - February 3, 2002

Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival - Wellington, Florida

Place / Horse / Rider / Home / Score / Purse
1. Royal Kaliber / Chris Kappler / Pittstown, NJ / 0-0-47.57 / $15,000
2. Sandstone Pelota De Goma / Gabriella Salick / Thousand Oaks, CA / 0-0-50.51/ $11,000
3. Appropos / Marley Goodman / Palm Beach, FL / 0-0-54.72 / $6,500
4. Viktor/ McLain Ward / Brewster, NY/ 0-4 / $4,000
5. Hidden Creek's Jones / Margie Engle / Wellington, FL / 0-4 / $3,000
6. Rosina / Eric Lamaze / Ontario, Canada/ 8 / $2,500
7. Enchante'/ Clare Bronfman / Solebury, PA / 8 / $2,000
8. Lancelot Z / Joe Fargis / Southampton, NY / 0-12 / $1,500
9. Lagretto 5/ Kate Levy / Katonah, NY / 0-12 / $1,500
10. Aguila / Jimmy Torano / Ft. Lauderdale, FL / 4 / $1,000
11. Laredo / Aaron Vale / Rembert, SC / 4 / $1,000
12. Another Flood / Donald Cheska / Waukesha, WI / 4 / $1,000

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org