Toronto, Ontario – November12, 2003 - Olympic silver medallist Michael Whitaker of Great Britain minted a win in the $60,000 Royal Canadian Mint World Cup Grand Prix on Wednesday night at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.

Whitaker gave the crowd a thrilling performance as he mastered the jump-off course in a time of 35.87 seconds, more than two full seconds faster than fellow Brit Andrew Davies. Whitaker was riding a new mount, Portofino, in the nine-year-old Dutch mare’s first World Cup Qualifying event.

“At a big show two weeks ago, I didn’t go fast enough, I didn’t take chances, and I was a little mad at myself,” said Whitaker, currently ranked number ten in the world. “You have to take chances to win.”

Of the nine horses to advance to the jump-off, Davies started things off right with a clear round in a time of 35.87 seconds riding Limbo V. Defending champion McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, followed and also posted a clear riding Goldika, but in a slower time of 38.89 seconds, good enough for an eventual third place finish.

Ainsley Vince of Milton, ON, and her long-time partner, Catch 22, gave the home crowd reason to cheer as she set a blistering pace, 36.33 seconds, but one-knock down cost her the win. Despite finishing fifth in the competition, Vince easily claimed the Canadian World Cup League and earned herself a ticket to Milan, Italy, next April to contest the 2004 World Cup Final. As Canada only receives two invitations, Vince will be joined by either two-time World Cup Final winner Ian Millar of Perth, ON, or 20-year-old Elliott Stone of Midland, ON, who tied for second position in the Canadian World Cup League standings.

Thursday evening’s highlight will be the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music performed as part of the new $20,000 Royal Dressage Invitational. In Wednesday’s Grand Prix test, United States Equestrian Team member Debbie McDonald, currently ranked number four in the world, won with a score of 75% riding Brentina to edge fellow American Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus 7 who scored 68.48%.

The Royal Horse Show takes place at the brand-new Ricoh Coliseum at the National Trade Center from November 7-16. Show jumping competitors will compete for a total of $290,000 in prize money in the international division over ten days of competition.

For more information on the 2003 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org. To purchase tickets for this year’s event, please contact Ticketmaster at (416) 870-8000.

$60,000 Royal Canadian Mint World Cup Grand Prix – Final Standings