Gladstone, NJ-February 23, 1998
McLain Ward of Brewster, NY rode Twist Du Valon, a horse he owns in partnership with Harry R. Gill, to victory in the inaugural $100,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup Grand Prix, presented by Fleet Financial Corp. and Ethel M Chocolates on February 15 at the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival. The 22-year-old rider hardly seemed to notice the constant wind and rain on the way to his third grand prix victory this season at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club.

The weather did affect the number of horse-and-rider combinations and only 29 decided to participate. A straightforward course allowed for twelve to reach a very exciting jump-off. Schuyler Kuryla and Isis had the first clear round in the jump-off with a time of 47.74 and they were able to hold on to the lead for a few nail-biting rounds. Chris Kappler riding Calando had a heart-wrenching rail at the last fence and Ellen Talbert and Grand Jete rode clean but too slow. Peter Leone aboard Crown Royal Let's Go had an early rail down to knock them out of the running and Peter Wylde riding Macanudo Very Well St. George went clean, but not fast enough. Katie Monahan Prudent and Belladonna then became the combination to beat with a clear round of 45.90 seconds.

It looked like Prudent had the class won as Margie Goldstein-Engle riding Hidden Creek's Alvaretto and Nona Garson aboard Rhythmical each accumulated four faults and Beezie Patton on Dominique rode clean but in a time of 47.58. There was only one left to go, but unfortunately for Prudent, that was the winningest grand prix rider in Florida this year, McLain Ward. He and Twist Du Valon gave the soggy crowd an unforgettable performance with a clear round in the time of 44.04 and giving his "team" one more victory.

"We've been on a roll and to put all the rumors to rest-that it's just luck-we came home with a win today," said Ward. "Thanks to Harry's (Gill) help, we've got a great team of horses and a great team of people." The Wellington Cup was the second in a series of three show jumping events sponsored by Bayer and the United States Equestrian Team (USET). The first was the $75,000 Bayer/USET Grand Prix of Indio on February 8 and the series ends with the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship, presented by Ethel M Chocolates as part of the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions on June 21, 1998. The best horses and riders are expected to compete in the Championship as it will serve as the first selection trial for the World Equestrian Games to be held in Rome, Italy on October 1 -11, 1998. In an effort to bring the sport to a wider audience, the USET has contracted ESPN to broadcast all three events. The Bayer/USET Grand Prix of Indio and the Bayer/USET Wellington Cup both aired in early March on ESPN2. The $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship will air on ESPN on July 12.