Parker, CO – July 27, 2004 - A rain soaked arena and unseasonably cold temperatures did not deter twenty-two riders in the Colorado Horse Park’s $60,000 AGA Grand Prix of Denver Presented by Dillards and Ariat. The Grand Prix of Denver is the culmination of the four week Colorado Summer Circuit with riders from over 30 states, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Denmark and New Zealand.

A large crowd was on hand despite the weather conditions to witness international show jumping at its best. Six riders out of a field of 22 were clear over Guilherme Noguiera-Jorge’s first round course.

Fourth in the jump-off, Bjorn Ikast and I.Z.’s Lifetime were the first combination to go clean. Their clear round set the standard for the two remaining competitors. It was the last rider of the evening, John Perez and his horse Comanche that rose to the challenge. Their fast, clear jump-off was in 45.884 seconds, a full 2.395 seconds faster than second place Antonio Maurer and Odamildo.

Perez and Comanche, a striking chestnut, traveled from Houston, Texas to compete at the Colorado Horse Park.

Second place Maurer, a member of the 2000 Mexican Olympic Team, was thrilled with the effort given by his mount, Odamildo. “This is only his third Grand Prix,” commented Maurer. “He showed me his international capabilities tonight. This horse is a competitor and will do great things on an international level.” The 8 year-old Belgian bred by Quidam de Revel, second in the $25,000 Grand Prix, showed a level of consistency under drastically different conditions.

Third place went to crowd favorite Bjorn Ikast and I.Z.’s Lifetime. The Russian Bred stallion was the $25,000 Grand Prix winner and eligible for a $25,000 bonus if the pair had been victorious in the $60,000 Grand Prix of Denver. Unfortunately for Ikast, his clear but conservative round proved no match for the first and second place winners.

Course designer, Guilherme Noguiera-Jorge from Campinas, Brazil took weather conditions into consideration when creating the course of 16 jumping efforts, including a triple combination. “Given the weather I did not make the course as big as I have in the past two years,” he commented. “It is a bit smaller and not as wide, but there are still scope tests, including a 5’3” oxer and a large triple bar, as well as adjustability tests.”

For additional events being held at The Colorado Horse Park and a complete list of results for this event, visit www.coloradohorsepark.com.

The Colorado Horse Park is a 501 (c) 3.

Photo by Don Peitzman.