Bartlett, NH - August 20, 2000 - McLain Ward of Brewster, NY won the $50,000 Mercedes Grand Prix of New Hampshire for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year at the 16th Annual Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival.

Ward, 24, rode Rio, an eight-year-old Belgian-bred, to the win over a 35-horse field and also placed second on Fior, a 13-year-old Dutch-bred, matching his feat of 1998 when he placed one-two on Benetton and Twist du Valon.

"This is very gratifying for me because I'm in kind of a transition year for horses," Ward said. "My older horses like Twist have moved on and my new horses like Rio are just moving into the big classes. I think today they showed that they're ready."

Although Rio is only 15.3 hands, McLain says "Rio is the best horse I've ever sat on ability wise. He's like a rubberband!"

Six horses qualified for a tie-breaking jump-off after riding without penalty over the original 15-jump course designed by Steve Stephens. Ward and Rio were first to return for the seven-jump tie-breaker and they rode fault-free in 34.246 seconds to set the mark to beat.

None of the remaining entries could match Rio's score with the only other clean rides coming from Ward on Fior who finished in 36.467 seconds and 1994 champion Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ who finished in 36.821 seconds on Royal Kaliber.

In other exciting equestrian action, Monnie Gilder of New York, NY and Artemis galloped to the top in the $2,500 Mountain Ear Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Yesterdays winner in the Low Junior Jumper division, Brian Walker of St. Lazare, Quebec, captured the $2,500 WMTV3/RSN Low Junior Jumper Classic today. Once again, his mount was the speedy Luxury Item.

Rebecca Astrom of Reddick, FL and Ghina took the blue ribbon in the $2,500 State Line Tack NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Grand Prix. The $7,500 WMUR-TV SJHF High Junior-Amateur Jumper Grand Prix was won by Laura Littlefield of Medfield, MA on Big Cat.

Located at the scenic Fields of Attitash in Bartlett, NH, many of the top riders and horses from throughout the U.S. showed at the event, including three former Olympic medalists - Leslie Howard, Peter Leone, and Norman Dello Joio. Additionally, Margie Goldstein Engle, a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team's show jumping team for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia competed at the 16th Annual Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival.

In addition to the thrilling spectacle of equestrian competition, spectators at the Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival found a variety of attractions at the Fields of Attitash. Shopping fans enjoyed the Country Fair Expo adjacent to the Grand Prix Ring which featured local retailers displaying artwork, jewelry, crafts, clothing and a variety of equestrian items for sale. A fine selection of local foods was available to sample ringside at the "Taste of the Valley" Food Festival featuring area restaurateurs. Equine demonstrations, hay rides, and a children's play area rounded out the activities during the event.

Please call (603)374-2368 for further information about the Attitash Bear Peak Equine Festival or go to www.attitash.com on the Internet.