Howard Finishes in Third at Top Ten Final

Geneva, Switerland, December 12, 2002 - Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, finished in third place in the Top Ten Final at CSI-W Geneva, Switzerland, December 12 - 15. Howard and mount Priobert de Kalvarie (Belgian Warmblood: Kimball - Dorothee de Kalvarie, by Flugel Van La Roche) were among a group of six to go clear in the first round and nearly pulled off a victory but pulled a rail at the last fence during the second round placing them in third.

Howard was the only female rider in the group and also the only rider from overseas. Ludger Beerbaum (GER) won the event with Lars Neiberg (GER) finishing second. "Being the only rider from America was important to me and I definitely had all the little girls in the stands on my side. Geneva has done a great job to promote their competition making it one of the most important competitions of the year," said Howard. She also finished third on Youp (Dutch Warmblood) in a Table A, 1.40 meter class and tied for 6th place on Kenwi in a Table C, 1.35 meter class.

The Top Ten Final is open to the best 10 riders of the FEI/Gandini World Jumping Rankings. Leslie Howard, currently ranked in 11th position on the FEI/Gandini World Jumping Rankings, moved into 10th position for this class after a higher ranked rider notified the FEI of his non-participation.

Two other U.S. riders participated at CSI-W Geneva (SUI), Alice Debany Clero, who is based in France and Peter Wylde, who is based in The Netherlands. Debany Clero placed fifth on Filou Landais (Selle Francais: Thurin - Olivette Landaise, by St Brendan (GB) xx) in a Table C, 1.35 meter class and fifth on Jumbo (Dutch Warmblood: Zeoliet - Diana, by Woldstreek) in a Table A, 1.40 meter class. Wylde placed eighth on Mania Jolly (New Zealand Sporthorse by Lawtons Legend) in a Table A, 1.45 meter class.

Results from the Top Ten Final:
1. Ludger Beerbaum (GER)
2. Lars Neiberg (GER)
3. Leslie Howard (USA)
4. Otto Becker (GER)
5. Jos Lansink (BEL)
6. Ludo Philippaerts (BEL)
7. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA)
8. Toni Hassmann (GER)
9. Markus Fuchs (SUI)
10. Markus Ehning (GER)