Charlotte, NC - April 8 - Picking up right where they left off in Tampa, Florida a week ago, Great Britain's Ellen Whitaker and her amazing speed horse, AK Kanselier, opened the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic with another dominating performance. The $300,000 Charlotte Jumper Classic, in its second year, runs through Sunday, April 10, 2005 at the Charlotte Coliseum, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The name of the game during the opening day matinee was speed. The three classes for juniors, amateurs and the top international competitors were scored under FEI Art. 238.2.1. Time First Round, or as it's sometimes called, "fastest clear round." The course designer for the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic is Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida.

Fifty starters went to the post in the $15,000 Lowes International Jumpers.

The early pacesetter was McLain Ward and the Double H Farm's Goldika 559. Ward was quick, touring the speed course fault free and putting up what appeared to be a top time of 47.57 seconds. Callen Solem put in a challenge with Mianta, owned by the Quiet Winter Farm, but could only move into second place as she cruised through the timers in 49.86 seconds, 2.29 seconds off the pace set by Ward.

Riding twenty-second in the order, Great Britain's Ellen Whitaker, once again put in an amazing speed performance. Aboard Whitaker Sporthorse's AK Kanselier, the 19 year old Whitaker mirrored her dominating performances displayed during the recently completed Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. Galloping through the start and never taking back, Whitaker knocked Ward off the top spot on the leader board by over three seconds, flying through the finish line in 44.53 seconds to take the lead.

Ward returned on his mount, Galant, thirteen horses later and gave Whitaker a real run, but pulled a rail down three quarters of the way through the course and then coasted home with four faults in 46.98 seconds.

The fortieth horse and rider combination in the order was Merva Des Hayettes and Gregory Wathelet of Belgium. Wathelet, unable to come close to Whitaker's top time, was able to just get by Ward for second place, finishing in 46.71 seconds.

"I love this arena," said a smiling Ellen Whitaker following her opening day win. "This is my first time here in Charlotte and I'm very impressed. I actually thought it would ride a little tighter than it did, so in the end, it was all a little easier today."

"He's really got a huge stride, so he's a very deceptive horse to watch," Whitaker explained. "He doesn't nearly look as fast as he truly is."

Whitaker posted her third consecutive speed win going back to the final weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa.

The $30,000 Charlotte Welcome Stake Qualifier wraps up the Friday schedule, getting underway at 7pm.

Results of Class 1 International Table A 238.2.1 CSI -04-08-05 - Charlotte Coliseum

2 - Gregory Wathelet- Bel-Merva Des Hayettes -0.00/46.71

3 - Mclain Ward-USA-Goldika 559 - 0.00/47.57

4 - Callan Solem-USA-Mianta - 0.00/49.86

5 - Robin Sweely-USA-Latinus - 0.00/50.64

6 - Judy Garafalo-USA-Cindy - 0.00/54.13

7 - Vicky Young-GB-Rroyal Dane - 0.00/54.90

8 - Candice King-USA-Caliskan - 0.00/54.91

9 - Aaron Vale-USA-Artur 28 - 0.00/55.44

10 - Cayce Harrison-USA-Coeur - 0.00/56.60

11 - Paige Johnson-USA-Kadena R - 0.00/57.62

12 - Candice King-USA-Coco Cabana - 1.00/59.20

Georgina Bloomberg and Action Take Amateur Owner Jumper Speed Title on Opening Day

Action, owned by the Gotham Enterprizes, and piloted by Georgina Bloomberg, won the first class of the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic on Friday morning. The $10,000 Amateur Owner Jumper Speed class was scored under FEI Art. 238.2.1. Time First Round.

Thirty-one starters lined up for a go in the Amateurs. Bloomberg, riding out of the tenth spot in the order, toured the Steve Stephens designed course without penalty and tripped the timers in 51.531 seconds for the win. She almost made it a one-two finish. Riding twenty-eighth in the order, Bloomberg pulled a late rail on Lumina 2, finishing in 53.263 seconds. The rail down relegated her to tenth place as the fastest of the four fault performances.

Sarah Segal and True Love came within .49 seconds of Bloomberg to finish second. Segal crossed the finish line in 52.024 seconds. Lisa Silverman and Flubber Cocoy were third, clocking in at 54.920 seconds. Robin Sweely rounded out the top four on Coming Star with as clean round time of 55.090 seconds.

Bloomberg was happy with her first day's performance. "It was a good first class. You never know how they're going to go in the first class of the horse show," she said. "You'd like to run as fast as you possibly can, but you want to let the horse get to know the ring. There's a fine line between those two. So, I just tried to go as fast as I could but also be smooth and quick," Bloomberg detailed, "and I hoped that would hold up."

The Amateur Owner Jumpers will take center stage on Saturday evening at 7pm for their Top Score Competition. The Gamblers Choice goes just prior to Round One of the $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte.

Results of Class 5 -Amateur Owner Jumpers II, 2.1 - 04-08-05

2 - Sarah Segal -True Love - 0.00/52.024

3 - Lisa Silverman - Flubber Cocoy - 0.00/54.920

4 - Robin Sweely - Coming Star - 0.00/55.090

5 - Larry Hollahan - Sky King - 0.00/56.362

6 - Danielle Torano - Capitano - 0.00/56.443

7 - Sophie Coppedge - Anvia - 0.00/56.695

8 - Cara Cheska - Modra - 0.00/58.243

9 - Danielle Torano - Mirage - 0.00/61.500

10 - Georgina Bloomberg - Lumina 2 - 4.00/53.263

11 - Laura Linback - Mohawk Du Clair De Lune - 4.00/53.806

12 - Cara Raether - Olympus - 4.00/54.342

Aimee Aron and Jamaica Tops in the Junior Jumper Speed

Aimee Aron was the best of the eight starters today in the afternoon finale at the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic. The Junior Jumper Speed was also scored under FEI Art. 238.2.1.

Aron and Jamaica, owned by the Kinloch Enterprises, toured the course clear in 42.020 seconds to get by Carolyn Kelly who finished second and third. Kelly finished second with Blast in 43.526 seconds and third with Ratina Z in 44.947 seconds.

Juniors return on Saturday in the $10,000 Faults Converted Junior Speed Stake.

Results of Class 8 -Junior Jumper Table II, 2.1

2 - Carolyn Kelly-Blast - 0.00/43.526

3 - Carolyn Kelly-Ratina Z - 0.00/44.947

4 - Alex Parrish-Tandoori - 0.00/44.433

5 - Alex Parrish-Cat's Charly - 4.00/47.207

6 - Cody Auer-Regina - 8.00/41.968

7 - Aimee Aron-Heaudine - 13.00/54.175

T8 - Cody Auer- Jolie Dame Du Marias - Elim

T8 - Nikko Ritter-Lorano - Elim

2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic Fast Facts

EVENT:
Charlotte Jumper Classic

WHAT:
Preeminent Jumper Show in the Carolinas. An AGA event, FEI sanctioned, A Rated, CSI*** show.

WHERE:
Charlotte Coliseum - 100 Paul Buck Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

WHEN:
April 8-10, 2005

Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 12:00 pm
Junior Speed Stake
Top Score Competition

Saturday Evening - 7:00 pm
The Grand Prix of Charlotte Round One

Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 2:00 pm
Charlotte Junior Grand Prix
Charlotte Amateur/Owner Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of Charlotte Round Two

ADMINSSION:
Price level one seating - $25.00 per session

Price level two seating - $15.00 per session

VIP SEATING:
VIP Seating is available to sponsors and donors and includes Crown Club hospitality. For more information contact Monica Treadway at 704-713-1530, e-mail mtreadway@charlottejumperclassic.com or visit www.charlottejumperclassic.com.

PARKING:
$5 payable at the gate

DIRECTIONS:
From I-77:
Take Exit 5 (Tyvola Rd.) off of I-77 and head west on Tyvola following the directional signage. Enter the Coliseum parking lots by turning right onto Paul Buck Blvd. approximately three miles down Tyvola.

>From I-85:

Take Exit 33 (Billy Graham Pkwy.) off of I-85 and proceed east down Billy Graham to the Tyvola Road exit. Turn right onto Tyvola Rd. and proceed to Paul Buck Blvd. Turn left into the Coliseum.

THE FACILITY:
Charlotte Coliseum - www.charlottecoliseum.com . The Charlotte Coliseum first opened in 1988 as one of the largest arenas in the nation. It remains Charlotte's largest entertainment venue seating 24,000 spectators for concerts and high-profile athletic events. The Coliseum pulls fans from across the country to see stars of the sports world, including teams from the NBA, NCAA, and the WNBA. It has hosted the NBA All-Star game, the NCAA Men's Final Four, the NCAA Women's Final Four and several ACC basketball tournaments. The Charlotte Coliseum has attracted such major entertainment figures as U2, Garth Brooks, Eric Clapton, the Grateful Dead and Janet Jackson. Other major events have included Jubilate, one of the premiere Christian New Year's Eve celebrations in the United States, a visit by Mother Teresa, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Walt Disney's World on Ice.

PRIZE MONEY:
Amateur/Owner Competition - $10,000
International Competition - $15,000
Junior Competition - $10,000
Charlotte Welcome State Qualifier - $30,000
Junior Speed Stake - $10,000
Top Score Competition - $15,000
The Grand Prix of Charlotte Round One
Charlotte Junior Grand Prix - $25,000
Amateur/Owner Grand Prix - $25,000
The Grand Prix of Charlotte Round Two - $150,000

HIGHLIGHTS:
Net proceeds to benefit the Bobcats Charitable Foundation. The mission of the Bobcats Charitable Foundation is to enrich the quality of life for those in need - with a focus on children and youth - and build bridges between communities. The Foundation supports organizations serving children and youth with an emphasis on literacy, fitness and wellness and exposure to the arts.

Saturday, April 8, 2005 - 5:00 - 7:00pm - Pre-Show outdoor entertainment and tailgating for tickets holders of the 12:00 and /or 7:00 session with a performance by Carmine and The Blue Moons and activities for kids of all ages.

Sunday, April 10, 2005 - VIP Donor Thank You Brunch - Invitation only event.