Madden Edges Hough in a Battle of Olympic Ladies in the Grand Prix of Palm Beach

PHOTO CREDIT: Beezie Madden and Conquest II win the $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach.
Photo by Randi Muster.

Wellington, FL - January 30 - It was a battle of the Olympic ladies Sunday afternoon at the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida.

A stellar opening Sunday crowd of 8,095 enthusiastic fans were on hand to see 2004 Athens Olympic Silver Medalist Beezie Madden and Conquest II edge Casadora ridden by 2000 Olympian Lauren Hough by 8/10ths of a second for the win in the $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach.

The first of seven Sunday features drew a starting field of 48 competitors for the CSI 2* event. Course Designer Javier Fernandez of Mexico designed the test for the Grand Prix of Palm Beach.

A record setting twenty horses completed the first round course without penalty to set up an exciting jump-off against the clock. It was the largest jump off field in the twenty five year history of the class, topping the previous record of fourteen, set the first year the class was offered back in 1979.

Lauren Hough aboard the Casadora Group's Casadora was the first to master the opening round course and thus was first to return for the timed tiebreaker.

Hough knew she would have nineteen challengers that would follow her ride in the speed round and she put the pedal to the metal. Hough's jump-off ride was breathtaking. The crowd exploded as she flashed across the finish line in 39.05 seconds.

Her performance was so dominating that the next fourteen that followed all fell by the wayside. Those that were clean weren't nearly fast enough and Laura Kraut, who was the only one to top her time (by 1.08 seconds), pulled a rail and ended up ninth, as the fastest four fault performance.

Hough's lead lasted until Beezie Madden cruised into the ring in the sixteenth spot in the jump-off. She was up on Conquest II, owned by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Patton. The crowd, already appreciative of her Silver Medal ride at the Olympic Games in Athens, was about to enjoy Madden even more.

Madden's dash to the first fence gave notice that she hadn't saddled up to come in second and when her amazing jump off ride was over, the clock delivered the news of a 9/10ths of a second win. 39.05 seconds flashed on the board and the crowd, already on their feet, erupted.

Asked after the class if she had watched Hough's jump-off ride, Madden laughed, "I did watch her and I figured we were all going for second place after that."

So, where did Madden find the extra 9/10ths of a second? "I think maybe to fence one I was a little faster than Lauren and then I actually added a stride at the original fence two, but that made me faster to the jump on the end," explained Madden.

How can adding a stride make you faster? Madden gave the details.

"She did seven and I did eight, but her long seven strides took her on a much wider turn after fence two to the fence on the end," said Madden. "Because I added a stride I was able to make a tighter turn and had the shorter line to that the jump at the top of the ring. I think that was the difference because we were stride for stride after that."

Hough knew she had to be very fast to have any chance of victory today. "That was my plan; I knew I had to go all out. I had to go for it" Hough said. "Some of the fastest riders in the world are out here today, so I knew I really had to lay it on the line and I think I did a pretty good job of it."

Hough mentioned that many times an early fast round can put additional pressure on those that follow. "In a class like this with so many in the jump-off, when they have to go after you, they'll often have some rails while trying to go too fast to catch you. I think that happened to a few today," she said.

Hough agreed with Madden's assessment of where the class was won. "I knew the seven was quite long from the second jump to the original number two but going first I had to take the chance," Hough said. "And like Beezie pointed out, it took me a little wide and I agree I was a little slow to fence one," Hough conceded. "I'm thrilled with her though," she went on to say. "She's a young horse, she's only nine and she's been now five times second, so we've really been knocking on the door."

Neither rider was surprised by the large number in today's jump-off.

"I thought there would be quite a few clear," Madden admitted. "They had to stay within the specs for this class. You could read ahead of time that it would be like this and you plan accordingly. It makes for a great class," she said.

Hough said that she expected a big field in the jump-off. "You know, the first week of the show, these horses are very fresh and the footing is great and you have really strong horse rider combinations," said Hough. "And today, being a CSI 2* it was pretty simple. He didn't ask a lot of tough questions. Would I have said twenty when I walked it?" Hough asked. "Probably not, but you knew it was going to be a big number of qualifiers."

Madden went on to say that today's class fit Conquest perfectly. "Conquest can't do the big grand prix classes, at least not as a steady diet," she said. "So this kind of grand prix is really his specialty."

"This is what we needed the first week of the circuit," Madden said. "Javier did a nice job. It was really a nice way to start the circuit," added Hough.

Madden, a first time winner of the Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach, accepted the Albert Hart Trophy for the victory. Hough won the Hart Trophy in 2003 aboard Windy City.

It's all jumpers next week at the Winter Equestrian Festival as the Bayer Gold Coast Jumper Classic gets underway on Wednesday, February 2 at 8:00am. Featured events are the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series, Round Two on Thursday and the $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup, CSI 3* on Sunday.

Official Results -#100-$35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach - CSI 2* -1-30-05-Internationale Arena

EVENT: Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida

WHAT: Seven-week hunter/jumper and 3-week dressage horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc.

WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club,

14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, Florida 33414

WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday 2005 Show Dates:

Jan. 26-30: Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic, CSI 2*, 'AA'
Feb 2-6: Bayer Gold Coast Jumper Classic, CSI 3*
Feb 3-6: Wellington Dressage
Feb 9-13: Kilkenny/ICH Internationale, CSI 3*, 'AA'
Feb 16-20: Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular presented by Palm n Beach Post, CSI-W/Y/Ch, 'AA-WCHRA'
Feb 17-20: Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
Feb 23-27: Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters, CSI 3*, 'AA'
March 2-6: Cosequin Wellington Open, CSI-W, 'AA'
March 9-13: CN Finale, CSIO-US 4*, 'AA'
March 17-20: Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic, CDI 3*/Y

HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: General Admission Tickets are available at the gate.

Wednesday: Admission is free. *Children 12 &Under Free Everyday
Thursday and Friday: Adults- $5.00, Seniors (65)/Children Over 12 - $5.00
Saturday: Adults- $10.00, Seniors (65)/Children Over 12- $5.00
Sunday: Adults- $15.00, Seniors (65)/Children Over 12 - $5.00
Weekly General Admission Pass- $30.00
Seasonal General Admission Pass- $125.00

VIP SEATING: Box Seats Tickets may be purchased at the gate. (Limited availability)

Location: Internationale Arena
Thursday and Friday: $15.00
Saturday: $20.00
Sunday: $30.00
Seasonal Reserved Box Seats- $250.00 per seat

VIP Tables in The Jockey Club (located at the International Arena) are available for purchase through Phelps Media Group, Inc. Please call 561-753-3389.

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday

DIRECTIONS: Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 441. Travel five miles to South Shore Blvd., turn right on South Shore and proceed one mile to Pierson Road, then turn left at the light. Spectator Entrance is first left, on Equestrian Road. Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. 11 miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left on South Shore and follow to Pierson Road. Turn right at the light on Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first left - Equestrian Road.

THE FACILITY: The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400' x 400' grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets, and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena and Grand Hunter Field, both with all weather footing. Amenities include The Jockey Club VIP area.

PRIZE MONEY: Over $3 Million in total prize money, including:
* $1 Million Grand Prix Series
* $450,000 1.50 M-1.30M Jumper Series
* $300,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Series
* $100,000 Senior Jumper Series
* $395,000 USEF 'AA' Hunter Section Series
* $200,000 Junior Jumper Series
* $168,000 Adult Amateur Jumper Series
* $32,000 Children's Jumper Series
* $9,500 Pony Jumper Series

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Sunday, Jan 30, 2:00 p.m.: $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach presented by Western Hay, CSI 2*
* Saturday, Feb 5: $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Spectacular
* Sunday, Feb 6, 2:00 p.m.: $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup, CSI 3*
* Sunday, Feb 13, 2:00 p.m.: $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup, CSI 3*
* Saturday, Feb 19, 7:00 p.m.: AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach
* Sunday, Feb 20, 9:00 a.m.: $10,000 WEF Individual Young Rider Team and Individual Competition, CSI/Y Final
* Sunday, Feb 20, 2:00 p.m.: $60,000 Lincoln Idle Dice Classic presented by Palm Beach Post, CSI-W
* Friday, Feb 25, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Junior Jumper Gambler's Choice
* Sunday, Feb 27, 2:00pm: $75,000 Zada Enterprises,LLC Masters Cup, CSI 3*
* Friday, March 4, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Amateur-Owner Jumper Gambler's Choice
* Sunday, March 6, 2:00 pm:$75,000 Cosequin Florida Open Grand Prix, CSI-W
* Friday, March 11, 7:00 p.m.: $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup CSIO 4* presented by CN
* Sunday, March 13, 2:00 p.m.: $100,000 US Open Jumper
Championship CSIO 4* presented by CN

FOOD: A diverse menu of food and beverages is available at the vendor courtyard and at vendors around the Internationale Arena, and are open during show hours.

SHOPPING: The vendor courtyard and individual booths around the Internationale Arena both offer equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Winter Equestrian Festival, produced by Eugene R. Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc., is the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world. It is also the largest equestrian event and major contributor to Palm Beach County's $553+ million equestrian industry. (Courtesy of Palm Beach County Equestrian Commission, Inc.)

PALM BEACH POLO EQUESTRIAN CLUB: 14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL, 33414; Tel: 561-793-JUMP; Fax: 561-753-7727; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com

STADIUM JUMPING, INC.: Corporate Office- 1301 Sixth Ave West, Suite 406, Bradenton, FL, 34205; Tel: 941-744-5465; Fax: 941-744-0874; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com