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MORELAND HILLS, OHIO - September 22, 2008 -

Olympic veteran Norman Dello Joio of Wellington, FL claimed victory at the $100,000 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup Sunday at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills. The grand prix was the finale to the five-day Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup and attracted an enthusiastic audience that cheered the riders and the event.

>From a starting line up of 38 riders, Dello Joio was the final rider in the first round of World Cup qualifying competition. Only five horses completed the demanding course fault-free to return for the tie-breaking jump-off. Course Designer Steve Stephens, who also designed courses for the recent Olympic Games, set a challenging jump-off course with several options to cut corners and save time and only two riders completed his course without knocking down an obstacle.

Dello Joio, the final rider in the jump-off clocked a 46.26 second finish, shaving fractions of a second off American Gold Cup defending champion Mario Deslauriers (Bromont, Quebec) aboard Paradigm's 46.50 time, to win the event. Dello Joio's 16.2h chestnut gelding, Malcolm, is owned by the Malcolm Group. U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY finished third with the fasted four-fault score aboard Phillipa.

"I love it here in Cleveland," said Dello Joio. "The fans are great and I have fond memories from the original grand prix. It is a great experience and a great event." While he was pleased with his victory, Dello Joio was even more proud of the performance of his 19-year-old son, Nick, who was one of the youngest riders in the $100,000 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup. Nick had just four faults in the first round aboard Wembley Farms' Draco, and finished 14th.

"We had a great turn out of spectators today and record entries with 450 horses," said event organizer Michael Morrissey of Stadium Jumping, Inc. "The riders really liked the addition of the new show that preceded the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup so they could stay at the same show grounds for two weeks. I've heard great feedback that they are enthusiastic to return next year. The 2009 Cleveland Autumn Jumper Series will return to the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field with the North Coast Jumper Classic, September 2 to 6, and the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup September 9 to 13, 2009."

"We are extremely thankful to our title sponsor, Wachovia Securities, who has supported the show since it returned to Cleveland three years ago. Their support has been instrumental to the success of this event," said Morrissey. Other valued sponsors of the 2008 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup included Trade Winds Farm, Liberty Ford Solon, Tribute Premium Equine Nutrition, American National Family of Companies, Cleveland Equine Clinic, Corrigan Trailer Sales, Fair Weather Farm, Hilton Cleveland East/Beachwood, Stoddard Imports, Best Sand, Craighead Farm of Novelty and After Hours Farm of Lexington, KY, Schneiders, The Wave Radio 107.3, Devoucoux, and EquiFit, Inc.

Local Riders Stand Out

A total of 450 horses competed during the two weeks of horse shows and about 10 percent were ridden by Northeast Ohio riders. Among the many entries at the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup were some of Northeast Ohio's very best equestrians. Chardon's Kate Fogarty and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred Tucker's Town galloped away with the Adult Amateur Jumper Championship. On the way to the division championship she won the $1,500 Adult Amateur Jumper class.

Fogarty, a junior at Case Western Reserve University, said she was ecstatic to win and enjoyed her recognition during the Parade of Champions prior to the $100,000 Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup. Mindy Blackford of Mayfield Heights battled Fogarty in the same division, and finished Reserve Champion aboard Foul Play. She also won the $5,000 NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Classic during the week.

Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup
Weekly Champions & Reserve Champions
1.45m - 1.50m AMERICAN GOLD CUP
CH: Creme Brule, Beezie Madden, Abigail S. Wexner, New Albany, OH
RE: Rothschild, McLain Ward o-r, Brewster, NY
RE: Jeans Glove Varnel, Leslie Howard o-r, Darien, CT
HIGH JUNIOR/AMATEUR-OWNER JUMPER
CH: Kelline Fonroy, Clementine Goutal, Cloverleaf Farm, New York, NY
RE: Ronja 810, Marley Goodman o-r, Wellington, FL
LOW JUNIOR/AMATEUR-OWNER JUMPER
CH: Carracci 2, Christina Kelly, Barbara Kelly, Nicholasville, KY
RE: Rockstar, Tori Corts o-r, Central Valley, NY
RE: Soleil, Louis Jacobs, Deeridge Farm, East Aurora, NY
ADULT AMATEUR JUMPER
CH: Tucker's Town, Kathryn Fogarty o-r, Chardon, OH
RE: Foul Play, Mindy Blackford o-r, Mayfield Hts., OH
CHILDREN'S JUMPER
CH: Written In The Stars, Chelsea Campbell o-r, Dublin, OH
RE: Caribik Louis, Taylor Flury, Ali Boo Farm Inc, Minooka, IL
Complete results of the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup are available at www.americangoldcup.net.