WELLINGTON, FL—April 10, 2001—Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL, captured top honors in the $300,000 AGA Championship Presented By Budweiser, the richest single event in U.S. show jumping history, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL.

Riley out-dueled seven others in the jump-off, finishing with the only double-clear round aboard Ilian, an 11-year-old Dutch-bred bay gelding. The 29-year-old earned $90,000 for first place and, in a six-day span in the sport's two richest shows, took home $116,000.

"Ilian is a superstar horse," said Riley after her eighth major grand prix victory. "He's quite sensitive, with a lot of character. When we're on, he's a real threat out there."

Jeffrey Welles of Pound Ridge, NY, aboard Riviera, finished second with four faults and a time of 47.059 seconds over the nine-obstacle jump-off course. Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, riding Oh Star, placed third with four faults and a time of 47.590 seconds. Seven-time AGA Rider of the Year Margie Engle of Wellington, aboard Hidden Creek's Laurel, finished fourth, with four faults in 50.45 seconds. All three knocked down the next-to-last obstacle.

Defending champion Alison Firestone of Upperville, VA, on Royal Future, finished eighth, failing to become the third rider to win consecutive AGA Championship classes.

In other action during the AGA National Jumper Championship Horse Show held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, the final show of the 2001 Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival, French Equestrian Team veteran Henri Prudent defeated his wife, Katie, to claim the $10,000 Open Speed AGA Championship with Bellone D'Ideale.

At the Intermediate level, Aaron Vale of Rembert, SC rode Gepardieux to victory in the $5,000 Preliminary AGA Championship. He also proceeded to capture the $10,000 Intermediate AGA Championship aboard Alliance.

In the Amateur-Owner division, Maureen Brennan won the $10,000 High Amateur-Owner AGA Championship with Mr. Higgins; Ashley Latsha won the $10,000 Medium Amateur-Owner AGA Championship riding Isabelle; and Monnie Gilder won the $10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Jumper AGA Championship aboard Pascal.

In the Junior Jumper division, Jennifer Hannan rode Twist of Fate to win the $10,000 High Junior Jumper AGA Championship, while Maggie Jayne rode Kinda Blue to win the $10,000 Low Junior Jumper AGA Championship.

The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival offered $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 returned to Wellington for the culminating event—the American Grandprix Association Championship, April 4-8.