Posted April 2, 2006

Veteran Duo of Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet du Rouet Gallop Away with $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational in Tampa

Tampa, FL – April 1, 2006 – The star studded jump-off field at the Budweiser American Invitational in Tampa featured an all Olympic cast and came down to the top two show jumping stars from the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece going head to head for the top prize in American show jumping.

Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time World Cup Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and Baloubet du Rouet raced past Olympic Team Gold and Individual Silver Medalist Chris Kappler of the United States and VDL Oranta to earn the $60,000 top prize at the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Mexican Olympic veteran Jaime Guerra led things off in the four horse tiebreaker with a four fault go in 45.37 seconds on RMW Lorenz. Kappler then followed and posted a clear go in 42.90 seconds with his new equine partner, VDL Oranta.

The veteran duo of Pessoa and his seventeen year-old equine partner Baloubet du Rouet, then had the round of the night, knocking over two seconds off of Kappler’s time with an incredible ride in 40.65 seconds.

Five time Olympian Nick Skelton of Great Britain and Arko III then appeared to be setting up a challenge for Pessoa, but when the top of the wall came down as Skelton began his race for home the story was written for 2006.

Results of $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational CSI 4* - FEI Art. 238.2.2 – Raymond James Stadium - April 1, 2006

• 1 15 RODRIGO PESSOA BRA BALOUBET DU ROUET 0.00 87.53 0.00 40.65 $60000 DIOGO COUTINHO
• 2 12 CHRIS KAPPLER USA VDL ORANTA 0.00 86.87 0.00 42.90 $44000 M&K ORANTALLC
• 3 5 JAIME GUERRA MEX RMW LORENZ 0.00 87.14 4.00 45.37 $26000 ROCKYMT WARMBLOODS
• 4 24 NICK SKELTON GBR ARKO III 0.00 92.47 8.00 44.73 $16000 JOHN HALES
• 5 25 MARGIE ENGLE USA HIDDEN CREEK'S PERIN 4.00 83.96 $12000 HIDDEN CREEK FARM
• 6 26 BEEZIE MADDEN USA AUTHENTIC 4.00 85.78 $10000 ABIGAIL S. WEXNER
• 7 21 MCLAIN WARD USA SAPPHIRE 4.00 86.04 $8000 DOUBLE H FARM
• 8 22 MARIO DESLAURIERS CAN PARADIGM 4.00 87.20 $6000 MARIO DESLAURIERS
• 9 30 NORMAN DELLO JOIO USA GLASGOW 4.00 87.70 $6000 GLASGOW GROUP
• 10 6 SANTIAGO LAMBRE MEX CAMPINO 4.00 87.97 $4000 SANTIAGO LAMBRE
• 11 18 IAN MILLAR CAN IN STYLE 4.00 88.92 $4000 SUSAN GRANGE
• 12 17 LAUREN HOUGH USA CLASIKO 4.00 90.06 $4000 CLASIKO GROUP

PHOTO CREDIT: Baloubet Du Rouet and Rodrigo Pessoa win the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium. Photo by Randi Muster.