Sunday, February 17, 2002

Beerbaum Discovers Victory in
Jaguar/Land Rover Florida Classic

Wellington, FL - February 17, 2002 - Markus Beerbaum of Germany captured his first grand prix of the season, cruising into the winner's circle by almost three seconds in the $75,000 Jaguar/Land Rover Idle Dice Classic Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on Sunday.

Beerbaum, aboard Royal Discovery, an 11-year-old Dutch warmblood, earned $22,500 for the victory. Beerbaum was one of seven qualifiers to advance to the jump-off round, where he cleared the eight-obstacle course designed by Jose M. Gamarra of La Paz, Bolivia in 38.06 seconds.

Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, riding Rafiki, a 12-year-old Trakehner, finished second with a clear jump-off round in 40.78 seconds. Kappler, who won a grand prix two weeks ago aboard Royal Kaliber, also finished second in this event last year aboard Royal Kaliber. He earned $16,500 for his second-place finish. "Chris' horse is not the fastest, but he was actually quicker than I thought he would be," said Beerbaum. "I thought somebody else, like Lauren Hough, could beat me."

Hough, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, placed third, knocking down the final fence, and finishing in 39.16 seconds. Hough, who lives in Wellington, earned $9,750. Royal Discovery is owned by Bert and Diana Firestone of Wellington and was ridden by their daughter, Alison, until last year when Beerbaum took over.

Firestone is based at the Beerbaum's farm in Germany while competing in Europe. "Alison has a lot of great horses and they (Mr. and Mrs. Firestone) were very generous with Royal Discovery," Beerbaum said. Kappler, who went second in the jump-off, knew he had to go clean to put pressure on the other riders. "He's a bigger, slower horse and he went really well for me," Kappler said, "but I knew I had fast horses behind me."

Show jumping and dressage action continues with the Zada Enterprises, L.L.C. Masters. The action starts on Wednesday and continues through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit our website at www.stadiumjumping.com or call (561) 793.5867 for more information.

FOR AGATE:
$75,000 Jaguar/Land Rover Idle Dice Classic - Wellington, FL
February 17, 2002
Course Designer: Jose M. Gamara, La Paz, Bolivia
Place / Horse / Rider / Hometown / Faults-Time / Purse
1. Royal Discovery/ Markus Beerbaum/ Germany/ 0-0-38.06 / $22,500
2. Rafiki / Chris Kappler / Pittstown, NJ / 0-0-51.30 / $16,500
3. Windy City / Lauren Hough / Wellington, FL / 0-4-39.16/ $9,750
4. Caliskan / Candice King / Wellington, FL / 0-4-40.09 / $6000
5. Shutterfly / Meredith Beerbaum / Germany / 0-4-42.22 / $4,500
6. Rainbow / Vanessa Haas / Malibu, CA / 0-4-44.47/ $3,750
7. S & L Megabrand/ Angela Moore / Centerburg, OH / 0-12-43.64/ $3,000
12-way TIE for 8th Place:
8T. Charlton/Clare Bronfman/ / 4/$750
8T. Laredo/Aaron Vale/ Rembert, SC / 4/$750
8T. After Eight/Christine Tribble/Suffield, CT/4/$750
8T. Rio/McLain Ward/Brewster, NY/4/86.84
8T. Pinkata De Longpre/Mark Leone/Glen Rock, NJ/4/$750
8T. Sandstone Laurin/Gabriella Salick/Thousand Oaks, CA/4/$750
8T. Liberty/Laura Kraut/Oconomowoc, WI/4/$750
8T. Rosina/Eric Lamaze/Ontario, Canada/4/$750
8T. Clasiko/Lauren Hough/Ocala, FL/4/$750
8T. Capital S/Nona Garson/Lebanon, NJ/4/$750
8T. HC Perin/Margie Engle/Wellington, FL/4/$750
8T. Puertos Mortero/McLain Ward/Brewster, NY/4/$750