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Wayne, IL - June 22, 2007 - The non-professional jumpers took center stage today in the grand prix ring at the Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II. The horse show, held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, runs through Sunday, June 24, 2007. Opening up the morning was the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Vermeer Midwest. Cisco and Nicole Wagner had the best time in the jump-off to ride for the blue ribbon. Abigail McArdle and Calvin set a blistering pace to win the $1,500 WIHS Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Forest Hill Farm and Ashley Hill. In the $1,500 WIHS Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by White Oak Farm Premium Organics, Cleopatra and Alexis Bodo were the fastest in the speed phase to take the win.

Hector Loyola is this week's course designer in the grand prix ring. He set a Table II, Sec. 2b format course in the opening class. The two WIHS jumper classics were a Table II, Sec. 2c format, also known as "power and speed."

In the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Vermeer Midwest, an old pro galloped to victory. Cisco, a 16-year-old Paint/Quarter Horse, helped his rider win and qualify for Sunday's $20,000 NAL Children's/Adult Grand Prix, sponsored by Nutrena. Second place in today's classic went to Purdey and Skye Maclean.

Wagner, who is 17-years-old and hails from South Barrington, IL, is not Cisco's normal rider. Her sister Samantha is usually the pilot, but a vacation to Hawaii gave Nicole the ride. Going into today's class, Wagner was "really nervous." She explained, "I knew he was going to be good, but my sister is always so good on him that I was nervous to ride him in case I messed up. But, he takes care of me." Wagner thought the course went well, "except for my last jump," she laughed. "I turned way too tight and gave my trainer a heart attack. Cisco was good though."

Cisco has been a part of the Wagner family for three years. "He totally knows his job. He just goes out there and does everything perfect," Nicole said.

Thirteen-year-old Abigail McArdle, another Barrington resident, has not owned her horse as long as Wagner, but their partnership has already brought much success. McArdle rode Calvin to the win in the $1,500 WIHS Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Forest Hill Farm and Ashley Hill, over Fast Break and Stephanie Dubois-Emond.

McArdle raced around the speed phase of the course and was the easy winner of the class. "The course was good because not that many got into the speed part," she related. "I took an inside turn early in the course that not many people did, which I think helped me win."

McArdle has had Calvin for a year and a half and they have won multiple jumper classics together, thanks to Calvin's speed. "He's pretty good at turning. He has a small stride so you can just gallop around," she said. "He bucks a lot, but he's really sweet and has a good personality."

With her win today, McArdle feels more confident going into Sunday's Children's/Adult grand prix. Her victory will also help her qualify for the finals at this fall's Washington International Horse Show, which is one of her goals for the year. "I'm really happy that I won," she beamed.

She may be 21, but don't call her old! Cleopatra, a chestnut Thoroughbred mare owned and ridden by Alexis Bodo, sprinted to the win in the $1,500 WIHS Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by White Oak Farm Premium Organics. Bodo, who is from Lebanon, TN, is showing for the second time at Lamplight and enjoyed her win today on her veteran partner. They have been together for seven years and have racked up victories, such as an USEF Horse of the Year award in the Children's Jumpers a few years back.

For today's class, Bodo was pleased with the course and the way her horse rode. "It was difficult and a lot harder than last week, but I like it more technical. I love his courses," she noted, "[because] you actually have to ride and set up to the jumps, instead of just running. You have to think the whole way through."

What makes Cleopatra competitive, Bodo said, is that "she's really adjustable, and she turns really well. She's a Thoroughbred, so she's fast across the ground. She's so neat, even for her age."

Cleopatra has been winning for years, but this will be her final year of competition before retirement. "She's the most amazing horse I've ever had. I can't believe she's 21 and still winning classes. There's not much else she can accomplish, and I can't ask for anything more from her."

The Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II continues tomorrow with the highlight event of the week, the $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Earlier in the morning in the grand prix ring will be the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by Vermeer Midwest, and the $5,000 Low Children's/Adult Grand Prix, sponsored by the Taylor Harris Insurance Group.

For full horse show results and more information, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.

For more information on Wachovia Securities, LLC, please visit www.wachoviasecurities.com.