Contact:
Jamie Banks, (704) 280-1212;
jamieabanks@gmail.com

(April 15, 2007) CHARLOTTE - Olympic Gold medalist, three-time AGA Rider of the Year, and current the number one ranked US rider in the World McLain Ward and his mount Larioso won the $200,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte this afternoon to cap off an exciting three days of world-class show jumping at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

It was the US versus Canada in the jump off for the title as Ward and Kent Farrington squared off with Eric Lamaze, the top ranked rider in Canada in the shortened course. Ward, who went first in the jump off recorded four faults and edged out second-place finisher Farrington by just two tenths of a second with a time of 37.62.

Ward, who has placed second in this competition for the past two years was thrilled with the win. "I've always been a bit of a bridesmaid at this event," said Ward. "This is a big win for me as it is an important competition on our show calendar. The riders enjoy the first-class competition the support of the community here in Charlotte," he added.

Ward is leaving Charlotte for Las Vegas to compete in next week's World Cup finals.

Top Results of Class 3 - Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSI Qualifier for the 2007 FEI Eurpoean Senior Jumping Championship; Member Event of the AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping

1. McLain Ward - Larioso - 0/4/37.62
2. Kent Farrington - Up Chiqui - 0/4/37.83
3. Eric Lamaze - Narcotique De Muze II - 0/4/43.62
4. Callan Solem - Allison - 4/65.10
5. Cara Raether - Ublesco - 4/65.20
6. Kyle King - Spitfire - 4/66.55

The Charlotte Jumper Classic is the signature charitable event for the Charlotte Bobcats Charitable Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to enrich the quality of life for those in need, with a focus on children and youth. Net proceeds from the 2007 Charlotte Jumper Classic benefit the Presbyterian Hospital Community Care Cruiser and Misty Meadows Mitey Riders, a therapeutic riding program for people with physical and mental disabilities.

The Charlotte Jumper Classic is an annual event and an important stop on the million-dollar AGA Grand Prix circuit. The Fifth Annual Charlotte Jumper Classic will take place April 11-13, 2008 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. In celebration of the 2008 Olympics, and the event's fifth year, the purse for the Grand Prix of Charlotte will be increased for one year only from $200,000 to $500,000. This increase raises the total purse for the event to $700,000.