Wellington, Florida
February 2, 1998

The third time was a charm for McLain Ward of Brewster, NY. With two consecutive second place finishes in the $100,000 Budweiser American Grandprix Association (AGA) Show Jumping Championship presented by Broward RV, Ward bested an invitation-only field of 25 all-stars aboard the French gelding, Amity, to grab the win. The Championship was held February 1 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL, during the second week of the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival.

"It's been an elusive title for me. You train hard and give it your best shot and you're thrilled when it works," Ward said, referring to his 'bridesmaid' status of the two previous championships. "Amity is a special horse. He's not the easiest in terms of rideability, but his power over the jumps is exceptional. He listened well today."

Ward was one of four qualifiers to advance to the tiebreaker round where he turned in a clear jumping effort in 47.14 seconds. Katie Monahan Prudent of Middleburg VA, and Belladonna finished behind Ward in 41.17 seconds with one knockdown, followed by 1996 Olympic team Silver Medalist Leslie Burr Howard of Westport, CT on Ulane du Plessis. Howard stopped the timers in 39.47 seconds with two rails down. Prudent's husband, French Equestrian Team veteran Henri Prudent, was clear in the first round aboard the Croatian-bred mare, Mata Hari, but was unable to return for the jump-off due to a minor injury the horse sustained on course. "She stepped on herself and caused a small bruise," Prudent explained. "It was nothing serious, but was enough to keep us out of the jump-off."

Based on year-end point standings, the Budweiser Rider of the Year was Beezie Patton of Cazenovia, NY. Patton's mount, the Canadian crossbred gelding, Dynamite, owned by Allan Shore, Jr., of Bedford, NY, was Horse of the Year. Earlier in the week, two-time Olympic team Silver Medalist Anne Kursinski of Flemington, NJ, captured the opening round of the Budweiser AGA Show Jumping Championship aboard Above All. Kursinski was the fastest of the 25 riders that qualified for the jump-off round. 1994 Budweiser Rookie of the Year Laura Chapot, of Neshanic Station, NJ, and Star Twist finished in second, followed by Pennsylvania veteran Debbie Stephens aboard Chrome Plated. On Thursday, Todd Minikus of Lake Forest, IL, blistered the track aboard What Nu to win the $5,000 Budweiser Open Speed Championship. USET veteran Eric Hasbrouck of Bedford, NY, finished a close second aboard Cardenta, and edged out Michael Dorman and Sax du Midour.

Rookie Sheila Burke of Elmira, NY, jumped to the winner S circle aboard Genius 79 in the $10,000 Budweiser Welcome Stake. Burke dominated the jump-off round against four qualifiers. Harold Chopping of Rougemont, NC, finished a clear jump-off track aboard Sektor II, followed by 1996 Olympic Team Silver Medalist Peter Leone and The Developer. Leslie Burr Howard posted the fastest time in the jump off but dropped one rail and finished in fourth place. In the AGA National Jumper Championships Amateur-Owner series, Ellen Talbert won the $10,000 Amateur-Owner AGA High Championship aboard Bayside Farm's Kinnity Clover. Todd Snell rode his own mount, Anna Limbella, to victory in the $10,000 Amateur-Owner AGA Medium Championship. In the $10,000 Amateur- Owner AGA Low Championship, Cynthia Johnson and Alloy rode away with the win.

In the $10,000 Seniors AGA Championship, Lea Allen rode Latoya to victory. Peabody Kohler and Nostalgia rode away with the win in the $10,000 Adult Amateur AGA Championship. Michelle Matz was victorious in the $3,000 Children's Jumper AGA Championship aboard Vintage Farm's mount, Caujolier. In the AGA Junior National Jumper series, Marley Goodman rode TNT to victory in the $10,000 Junior Jumper AGA High Championship. The $5,000 Junior Jumper AGA Low Championship was awarded to Paige Johnson and her mount, Flirtatious.

The 1998 Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival offers $2.35 million in total prize money during a series which runs in West Palm Beach (January 21 - March 8) and Tampa, FL, (March 18 - April 4.) The series culminates in Tampa with the Budweiser American Invitational on April 3 - 4 at Houlihan's Stadium.

$100,000 Budweiser/AGA Championship presented by Broward RV Wellington, Florida -- February 1, 1998 -- Course Designer: Linda Allen