WELLINGTON, FL -- FEBRUARY 21, 2002 - Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ up on the 9 year-old Belgian Warmblood brown gelding, URSA MAJOR, owned by High Dunes Farm of Grand Haven, MI, captured his second grand prix win of the season in the $25,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Challenge Cup Thursday during the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club.

Kappler, 35, was one of only 6 of the original 61 horse and rider combinations to jump a fault-free first round and advance to the jump-off. The pair blistered the jump-off track designed by Olaf Petersen of Muenster, Germany in just 36.97 seconds for the blue ribbon. Second place went to Nona Garson of Lebanon, NJ up on RHYTHMICAL, a 17 year-old Russian-bred chestnut gelding, with a double clear round and jump-off time of 37.64 seconds. Third place went to Danielle Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL up on LOJANA, a 9 year-old Dutch-bred bay mare owned by Sir Ruly, Inc. of Key Biscayne, FL. First in the initial order of go, they too had double clear rounds and a jump-off time of 37.72 seconds, just splits behind Garson.

Kappler, Garson and Torano were the only three double-clear no-faulters of the 6 pair in the jump-off round. The jump-off round's four-faulters McLain Ward on PUERTOS MORTERO and Debbie Stephens on COSEQUIN'S CHAPIE took fourth and fifth, respectively. Sixth place went to Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, up on INNOCENCE, owned by Allan E. Shore, Jr. Beezie Madden will join three fellow teammates (McLain Ward, Laura Kraut and Margie Engle) when they represent the United States in the first ever outdoor NATIONS' CUP, to be held at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on Friday, March 8th at Noon and 3:00 PM. Other countries participating in the Samsung Nations' Cup, Presented by Canadian National are Ireland, Canada and Argentina.

The Zada Enterprises,LLC Wellington Masters continues through Sunday at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, with show jumping action daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call (561) 793-JUMP for tickets, directions or additional information.

$25,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC CWEF Challenge Cup - February 21, 2002
Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival - Wellington, Florida
Course Designer: Olaf Petersen ~ Muenster, Germany

Place / Horse / Rider / Home / Score / Purse
1. URSA MAJOR / Chris Kappler/ Pittstown, NJ / 0-0-36.97 / $7,500
2. RHYTHMICAL/Nona Garson/Lebanon, NJ/0-0-37.64/ $5,500
3. LOJANA/Danielle Torano/Ft. Lauderdale, FL/0-0-37.72/ $3,250
4. PUERTOS MORTERO/McLain Ward/Brewster, NY/0-4-39.54/ $2,000
5. COSEQUIN'S CHAPIE/Debbie Stephens/Glenmoore, PA/0-4-39.74/ $1,500
6. INNOCENCE/Beezie Madden/Cazenovia, NY/0-12-40.19/ $1,250
7. LEENA/Markus Beerbaum/Germany/4/ $1,000
8. HIDDEN CREEK'S PERIN/Margie Engle/Wellington, FL/4/ $750
9. ANTHEM/Laura Kraut/Oconomowoc, WI/4/ $750
10. SAMOENS/Kimberly Frey/Stoneville, NC/4/ $500
11. GLASGOW/Norman Dello Joio/Wellington, FL/4/ $500
12. LADDIDOR/Francie Steinwedell-Carvin/4/ $500

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