Gladstone, NJ - George Williams of Delaware, Ohio and his comeback mount Rocher (1991 Westfalen mare), have made their way to the center of the national stage, claiming the title at the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, Presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. on Friday. Clear favorites from the start, the pair earned a 70.333% in the USEF Grand Prix on Thursday, a 73.84% in the USEF Grand Prix Special on Friday, and a 74.750% in the USEF Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday. Each of the three equally-weighted classes combined for a final Championship score of 72.963%.

"I think she came into the day very strong and energetic," Williams said. "Overall, I was really pleased. Deep down, I knew (going in) that she could be the winner, but I just tried to stay focused and do the best job I could." In reference to Rocher's 18-month recovery from tendonitis, Williams feels the horse has come back stronger, and "in a lot of ways, stronger than ever."

"George we're all tickled," agreed Arlene Page, who placed second in the Championship on Wild One (1996 Hanoverian gelding) with an overall score of 69.703%. "God bless you. Great job!"

Meanwhile, Page, of Wellington, Florida, is equally pleased with her finish in the Championship, and looking forward to a promising future with Wild One. "I'm so proud of my horse," Page said. "He's nine. It's amazing to get a nine-year-old horse to the Grand Prix and to the National Championships. I'm incredibly proud of my horse. He's telling me he has the heart and mind of an international horse, which you're always hoping for. This weekend, he proved to me he can absolutely hack it in every way."

Michael Barisone of Califon, New Jersey, came in third overall in the Championship, riding Neruda (1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding), with a final score of 67.323%. "I wanted to be in the top three and I got in the top three, so that's great," said Barisone. But even Barisone is quick to throw the spotlight back on Williams. "He earned it and he paid his dues the hard way. All our hats are off to George."

Scores for Saturday's class, the USEF Grand Prix Freestyle are listed below, followed by scores for the overall National Championship.

Results for USEF Grand Prix Freestyle, June 18, 2005 Third of three classes in the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, Presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc.

1. George Williams of Delaware, OH, riding Rocher (1991 Westfalen mare), 74.750%

2. Arlene Page of Wellington, FL, riding Wild One (1996 Hanoverian gelding), 72.700%

3. Susanne Dansby Phelps of Atlanta, GA, with Cooper (1992 Holsteiner gelding), 72.350%

4. Karen Lipp of Ball Ground, GA, riding Caribi (1993 Danish Warmblood gelding), 70.500%

5. Michael Barisone of Califon, NJ, riding Neruda (1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 70.200%

6. Pierre St. Jacques of Boscawen, NH, riding Lucky Tiger (1995 Danish gelding), 68.785%

7. Melissa Taylor Yee or Wellington, FL, riding Success (1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 67.225%

8. George Williams of Delaware, OH, riding Marnix (1994 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 66.725%

9. Jennifer Schrader of Roy, WA, riding Phirst Solo (1988 Oldenburg mare), 65.825%

10. Katherine Bateson of Wellington, FL, riding Rainier (1991 Oldenburg gelding), 65.100%

11. Susan Jaccoma of Arundel, ME, with Jellowa (1991 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 64.525%

12. Hans Dressler of Princeton, NJ, with Friedel (1989 Hanoverian gelding), 58.975%

Anne Gribbons of Brentwood, NY, with Aureate (1993 Swedish Warmblood gelding), retired

Overall Results for the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, Presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc., June 16-18

1. George Williams of Delaware, OH, riding Rocher (1991 Westfalen mare), 72.963%

2. Arlene Page of Wellington, FL, riding Wild One (1996 Hanoverian gelding), 69.703%

3. Michael Barisone of Califon, NJ, riding Neruda (1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 67.323%

4. Karen Lipp of Ball Ground, GA, riding Caribi (1993 Danish Warmblood gelding), 67.279%

5. Pierre St. Jacques of Boscawen, NH, riding Lucky Tiger (1995 Danish gelding), 67.172%

6. Susanne Dansby Phelps of Atlanta, GA, with Cooper (1992 Holsteiner gelding), 66.719%

7. George Williams of Delaware, OH, riding Marnix (1994 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 65.094%

8. Katherine Bateson of Wellington, FL, riding Rainier (1991 Oldenburg gelding), 64.560%

9. Melissa Taylor Yee or Wellington, FL, riding Success (1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 64.364%

10. Jennifer Schrader of Roy, WA, riding Phirst Solo (1988 Oldenburg mare), 64.314%

11. Susan Jaccoma of Arundel, ME, with Jellowa (1991 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 62.484%

12. Hans Dressler of Princeton, NJ, with Friedel (1989 Hanoverian gelding), 58.799%

Anne Gribbons of Brentwood, NY, with Aureate (1993 Swedish Warmblood gelding), retired

For more information, contact Sarah Lane at (859) 225-6974, or via e-mail at Sarah.Lane@usef.org. USEF press releases can be found on our website, www.usef.org.