They're back and better than ever. Open jumpers stormed the ring on their way to Saturday's $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National. In fact, fans enjoyed two classes of open jumping.

First, the $5,000 Keystone Speed Challenge sponsored by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates. In this class downed rails are converted to time faults.

First on course, Cameo ridden by McLain Ward, hustled, covering the 11-fence course in just 46.735. That pace wasn't approached until the last of the 30 entries, Allegiance and Laura Kraut. Kraut's time was a mere shadow slower at 46.990. Only 16/100s of a second separated first and second. Third place went to Cloud Nine ridden by Beezie Madden in a time of 47.594.

"It was a nice, welcoming course," said Ward, the winning rider. "It will get more difficult as the week goes on. Tomorrow is the Gamblers' Choice and then we step up to The Big Jump on Thursday.

"Sure there's a little worry in being first, but Cameo is consistent. Speed is her specialty. We went fast enough, setting a comfortable pace. Besides, going first, you get to set the pace the rest have to chase. Other riders were trying to catch us and they tried too hard."

Opening the evening session was the $5,000 Capitol City Challenge, sponsored by Spring Lea Sport Horses. This is a two-phase class where horse and rider must jump the first half of the course clean or be disqualified. The second half is the speed, and speed they did.

The winner, Sagamore Farm's Jasmine thundered down to the last fence, an imposing 4'9" barrier, with nostrils flared and mane streaming. Jeffery Welles modestly noted it was nice first course, not too big. Welles also rode the fourth place horse, Riviera.

Iron Spring Farm's Judgement, with Beezie Madden up, was second with a time of 27.990, about 3/4 of a second off Jasmine's pace. The third place horse, Playboy, owned by YZ Partners, was ridden by Todd Minikus.

Jasmine returns on Thursday night for the featured $25,000 Pennsylvania Big Jump.