Tampa, FL – March 25, 2004 – Alison Firestone, 27, of Upperville, VA, riding Iceburg owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone, won the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series, Round VIII at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL, today, besting a class of 59 entries. Firestone placed third with Casanova, also owned by her parents, and claimed $10,750 in total prize money for her performances. Laura Chapot, 30, of Neshanic Station, NJ, aboard her own Little Big Man placed second, earning $5,500. Marking Week 9 of the 10-week Winter Equestrian Festival, the class is the last competition in the series prior to the $30,000 Ariat WEF Challenge Cup Final CSI-W, which will take place on March 31 in Tampa. Guilherme Nogueira Jorge of Brazil designed the course.

The 12-effort Round One with Time Allowed set at 79 seconds saw 19 riders attempt the track before Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, aboard Youp owned by the S’Blieft Group posted a clear trip. Rails fell at every jump, however the triple at 11ABC was the bogey and caught 30 riders. Only five more horses were able to clear the course and join Youp in the Jump-Off, including both of Firestone’s entries. “The first course rode great for me. It rode more difficult than I thought it was going to after walking it,” said Firestone. “We’re basically riding indoors now after riding in the big field at Palm Beach, so it’s a big change for the horses. I was thrilled with both of my horses. They’re both coming off of a little bit of a break and they feel really fresh and ready to go.”

Jorge set seven jumps for the tiebreaker, including 11BC, with Time Allowed at 47 seconds. Howard led off and had the second and third fences down in 41.62 to finish sixth. Norman Dello Joio of Wellignton, FL, riding Peace Train for Annie Shaker had a four-fault trip, also tumbling the third fence, in 41.87 to end up fourth. Megan Lamaze of Schomberg, Ontario, rode Chardo for Stoney Hill and lowered the third fence as well in 45.13 to claim fifth. Firestone aboard Iceburg was the first to post a clear trip in 41.43, which held up for the win. The ring took a brief break while she readied her second mount, Casanova, then posted a clear trip on him as well, though their slower time of 45.87 left them in third place. Last to go, Chapot posted the third double-clear performance of the day with Little Big Man, but breaking the beam just splits behind the leader at 41.42 they had to settle for second place.

Riding two horses back-to-back in the Jump-Off posed no problem for Firestone. “It wasn’t so different from the first round,” she noted. “I went 51st and 59th in the order so it was almost just as rushed then as well.” She chalked up her cool and calculated performances to experience. “After doing it so many times, you just know how to do it. You get off one horse and once you’re off that horse it’s over with that horse. Once you’re on the next one, you only have to think about that one. They’re very different horses.”

Firestone is aiming Casanova, a 14-year-old Swedish gelding by Cortez, towards the Athens Olympic Selection Trials in June, but more immediately has him entered in the $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa presented by Kilkenny/ICH on March 28. With a fast clear already in place aboard Iceburg, Firestone did not ask for full steam on Casanova. “I knew that there was only Laura left in the jump-off, so I just went for a slow clear with him. I figured that at the worst we would get third with the clear round. I didn’t stress him quite as much going full, full speed,” explained Firestone, but also noted, “Actually Iceburg is the faster of the two horses. If I’d gone full speed on Casanova, I don’t think I would have been as fast as I was on Iceburg. Iceburg is extremely quick.” Iceburg is a 14-year-old, gray Dutch gelding by Estaban.

Firestone compared her ride to Chapot’s and estimated that there was only one turn where she notched the fraction of a second quicker time that held up for the win. “I went inside from one to two and she went around there, but I’m not sure if that really did it,” analyzed Firestone. “We both left out the stride to the orange vertical. I think I was maybe a touch faster back on the red oxer.”

The ‘indoor’ feel of the covered arena that will host jumper classes all week and the finale on Sunday – the $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa presented by Kilkenny/ICH – is a nice change according to Firestone. “It’s really different in this new ring but I like it so far,” said Firestone. “I’m looking forward to Sunday.” The Grand Prix on Sunday starts at 2 pm.

Hunter Competition, Week 9

Earlier today, Louise Serio riding True/Balanchine for owner Fashion Farm and Gregory Mongo claimed the Championship in the Pre-Green Working Hunter 3’3”. Following two days of competition the duo notched a red ribbon in the Under Saddle, and over fences earned second, fifth, and first to clinch the tri-color.

Ken Smith riding Noir for owner Mrs. Quentin Alexander won the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship. After two days of competition, Smith and Noir placed eighth in the Under Saddle and over fences claimed two seconds, a third, and won the class today, securing the championship.

For complete results, visit www.stadiumjumping.com

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa, FL, are Wednesday through Sunday, March 24-28, and Wednesday through Saturday, March 30-April 3.

The Bob Thomas Equestrian Center is located off Orient Road at the Tampa Fairgrounds. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

For ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune, visit www.TicketMaster.com or call (813) 253-2782 or Toll-Free (877) 909-9436. Ticket prices range from $20 to $70 for reserved seating at the Raymond James Stadium.