TAMPA, FL'April 2, 2001'Molly Ashe of Wellington, FL, riding the 9-year-old Dutch-bred mare, Kroon Gravin, defeated a field of 30 starters to win the 29th annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Presented By The Tampa Tribune in Raymond James Stadium on March 31. With her victory, Ashe became only the ninth woman to win the Invitational and the first to ever do so riding a mare.

Ashe and Kroon Gravin were one of only three horse-and rider-combinations to turn in double clear rounds over the Steve Stephens-designed course. Ashe cleared the eight-obstacle sudden death jump-off course in 52.84 seconds, earning $60,000. U.S. Equestrian Team veteran Chris Kappler of Pittstown,

NJ, was only 33 hundredths of a second behind Ashe, turning in the second fastest time of 53.17 seconds aboard the 9-year-old Dutch-bred stallion, Royal Kaliber. Kappler's second place finish good for $44,000 earned Royal Kaliber the 2000-2001 American Grandprix Association (AGA) Horse of the Year title.

Last year's defending champion, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL, took the third place slot on the 11-year-old Dutch-bred gelding, Ilian, crossing the timers in 55.78 seconds to earn $26,000. "This is one of our country's greatest events in show jumping. I had dreamed of qualifying to ride in the Invitational for at least 8 or 9 years.

This is my second year in this event and I never even thought about what it would be like to win," said Ashe after her win. "The time allowed in the first round was tight, so it kept everyone on their toes. I was freaking watching Beezie Madden go after me and do the inside turns in the jump-off. I was just trying to keep it smooth, but watching Beezie had me thinking that perhaps I hadn't gone fast enough, and wishing that I had done at least one inside turn. I am just thrilled. It was a great class."

In other Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival action, three-time Olympic Medalist Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, won the $30,000 Ariat Challenge Cup, the final round of the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival ten-week Challenge Cup series. Howard, last year's defending champion, was one of only five qualifiers out of a field of 38 starters to advance to the tie breaker round on the course designed by Buddy Brown. Riding the 14-year-old Irish-bred mare, Clover Leaf, she rode last and turned in the fastest time of 38.07 seconds. USET veteran McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, qualified two of the five horses in the jump-off, finishing second with Galileo in 38.99 seconds and fourth on the 16-year-old Belgian gelding, Benetton, in 43.96 seconds. Third place honors went to Kevin Babington, aboard Carling King, who finished in 42.15 seconds.

With her win, Howard clinched the number seven position in the US East Coast Rider World Cup standings and qualified to compete at the World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Ashe added another victory to her belt when she rode the Selle Francais, Folle De Lui, to victory in the $10,000 Sheraton Open Jumper Classic. Last to go out of starting field of 39, she and Folle De Lui were one of only four double clear rounds, crossing the timers in 33.983 seconds. Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, up on the 11-year-old Thoroughbred, Sundance Kid, finished in 34.45 seconds, followed closely by Laura Steffee and Perle, who finished third in 34.71 seconds.

Rookie Michael Walton of Valley Forge, PA, was in the winner's circle in the $5,000 Americhoice Open Speed Challenge, aboard the 9-year-old Dutch stallion, Kantaris. Walton cleared the 11-obstacle course designed by Buddy Brown, in 60.71 seconds. English equestrian, Helen McNaught finished second with no jumping faults and a time of 63.31 seconds, aboard the 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding, Lassergut Concept. Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, up on Pandora, clocked in at 63.74 seconds to finish in third place.

The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival Perpetual Trophy winners were presented with awards during the Budweiser American Invitational. The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival offers $3 million in total prizes during a ten-week series which ran in Wellington, FL (January 24 - March 18) and Tampa, FL (March 21- March 31). Following the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, the series returns to Wellington for the culminating event'the American Grandprix Association Championship, April 4-8.