Washington, DC - October 24, 2003 - Always a crowd-pleaser, the 2003 Washington International Horse Show $25,000 General Star Puissance took place in front of a record-breaking crowd reaching all the way up into the upper levels of the MCI Center.

The Order of Go for the class originally began with 7 entries. Conspicuously absent was 3-time past winner McLain Ward and Achat 6. Ward managed to get a ride 20 minutes before the class began. Fellow open jumper rider Laura Steffee offered Ward the ride on her horse, Luna. He rode the horse for 5 minutes in the warm up – the first time he had ever sat on its back.

Ward’s excitement in finding a mount for the class only minutes beforehand was off-set by Aaron Vale’s disappointment, when he had to withdraw Argentinus, a horse he was recently re-united with and on whom he felt that he had a good chance to win the competition. “This horse can jump a big jump. He has a lot of power,” stated Vale before the news that he wouldn’t be competing.

The competition began with the wall set at 5’10”, a height that all 7 entries managed to negotiate.

Only 3 riders managed to clear the wall 6’6” – Marilyn Little, riding Champigny; McLain Ward; and Mark Leone riding Diamond Safari.

Leone was the only rider able to clear the final height of 6’10”. He did not attempt to break the record.

Top three places:

• 1. Mark Leone Diamond Safari 6’10”
• 2T. McLain Ward Luna 6’6”
• 2T. Marilyn Little Champigny 6’6”