2003 Festival of Champions

Mark Leone and Pinkata de Longre Take Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship

After an absence for the ring due to an injury, Pinkata de Longre (Galoubet A-Typhany de Keralouan) and Mark Leone laid down a trip that "was clean and neat" over the Richard Jeffrey-designed route in the $50,000 jumping feature of the Festival. Leone, a New Jersey native, felt during the past year he had over ridden his gelding up until the Festival. Then I just relaxed and let my horse jump," said Leone who enjoyed his first Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship in front of his family and friends.

"I hoped I would put pressure on Jimmy" Torano, Leone said of one of his best friends and his only opponent from a 29-horse starting field. The tactic worked as Torano, of Florida, came in on Aguila (Libero H-Zilda) after Leone and his Belgium-bred had laid down a double clear trip in the elimination round.

Torano tried to better it, going for the time, so he left out two strides to the second fence where he lowered a rail. He opted to retire from the field as the reserve champion.

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