Lake Placid, NY- July 2, 2006 - The sun broke through the clouds today = just in time for the $60,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid CSI 3*, = which was the final class of the Lake Placid Horse Show's first week. = The welcomed sunlight was accompanied by fierce winds that created yet = another obstacle for competitors. The element knocked entire sets of = jump standards down, flapped tents, and blew hats off the spectators. = Fortunately, the weather never interfered with the competitors while = they were on course.

Thirty-one entries went to post today for the grand prix, which was a = member event of the Budweiser/AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping. = Conducted under current FEI Rules, Article 238.2, Time First Jump Off, = competitors challenged the course designed by renowned horseman Pierre = Joliceour. Fences stood at 1.50 meters in height, with spreads up to = 1.60 meters and a time allowed of 82 seconds.

The first horse and rider combination to take on Jolicoeur's creation = was Jeffery Welles and Armani, owned by Kimmel Yaeger Equine. The pair = conquered the course without penalty and drew respectable applause from = the crowd. Next in the order was Simon Nizri from Mexico. After Nizri = piloted Cataro Ask around easily and without fault, exhibitors and = spectators expected a large number of entries to qualify for the tie = breaker.

Expectations, however, were proven wrong as rails started to drop and = time faults were assigned. After 15 riders showed and only two remained = in the jump off, the nerves and disappointment of the riders grew more = apparent. Energy from the stands resonated as spectators cheered for = every rider and groaned when rails were lowered. Competitors were met = with applause and empathy, regardless of their scores.

Jolicoeur's track remained unforgiving as Kent Farrington, who was last = year's winner and the final horse in today's order, pulled a rail. His = penalty revealed that a two man jump off would designate today's winner. =

Welles and Armani returned to the arena for the short course and sailed = over every fence with absolute precision. His clean round clocked in at = 47.70 seconds. A smiling Nizri entered the arena next and also completed = the course faultlessly, tripping the timers in 49.29 seconds. Welles' = time held up for the win, earning Welles a purse of $18,000 and the = Whitney Perpetual Challenge Trophy. Awards were delegated by the = presenting sponsor, RV Sales of Broward, and the business' owner, Gigi = Stetler.

"I felt great today," commented Welles after his victory. "Armani jumped = easily, and it went very well. He was very focused. Since I went first = in the first round, I didn't know how the time allowed would be, so I = ended up way under the time. I just tried to be as smooth as possible = without rushing him."

"It was a nice course," he continued. "For the horses that are here, it = didn't have a lot of width to it, but it was careful. Pierre Jolicoeur = did a good job. It's a great ring to ride in, and it definitely has its = difficulty with the hill. I think its slope takes its toll on some of = the horses and riders, but it's a beautiful show here."

The second week of the Lake Placid Horse Show, titled the I Love New = York Horse Show, will be held from Tuesday, July 4th through Sunday, = July 9th. Highlights include Thursday's $25,000 Open Jumper Classic CSI = 3* and Sunday's $60,000 Herm=E8s Grand Prix CSI 3*. Welles and Armani = are now eligible to win Hidden Creek's $25,000 Challenge.

The challenge awards a purse of $25,000 to the competitor who wins both = the $60,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid CSI 3*and the $60,000 = Herm=E8s Grand Prix CSI 3*. The same horse and rider combination must = win both grand prix.

Results of $60,000 Budweiser Grandprix of Lake Placid CSI***

2 CATARO ASK, SIMON NIZRI, MEX, 0, 49.29 SIMON NIZRI

3 ONIRA, BRIANNE GOUTAL, USA, R1 4, 74.58

CLOVERLEAF FARM

4 LITTLE BIG MAN, LAURA CHAPOT, USA, R1 4, 75.35 LAURA CHAPOT

5 MADISON, KENT FARRINGTON, USA, R1 4, 78.32

ALEXA WEEKS

6 LARENTINO, ELIZA SHUFORD, USA, R1 4, 78.45 LARENTINO GROUP

7 PINA COLADA, DAVID RAPOSA, USA, R1 4, 79.11

KARA M. TEDESCHI

8 H C'S OSCAR, MARGIE ENGLE, USA, R1 4, 80.23 HIDDEN CREEK FARM

9 CHURCH ROAD, MAX AMAYA, ARG, R1 4, 81.26

SARAH BECKER

10 CLAUS, ANGELA K. MOORE, USA, R1 5, 82.55 STEALAWAY FARM

11 GREAT AMERICAN, MARK LEONE, USA, R1 5, 82.82 RI-ARM FARM

12 CARLOS BOY, KEN BERKLEY, USA, R1 5, 83.25 KRISTA WEISMAN

For complete results visit Stadium Jumping at: www.stadiumjumping.com =

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