New York, NY-November 2, 2001-U.S. Olympic veteran Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, riding Hidden Creek’s Perin, owned by Hidden Creek Farm, won the $50,000 Adequan Grand Prix for the Whitney Stone Memorial Challenge Trophy Friday at the 118th National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. There were five clean rounds in the field of 27, but Engle and Perin went the fastest in a time of 56.37. Ragan Roberts of Little Rock, AR, also finished clean but in a slightly slower a time of 56.42 riding Charmed, owned by Alex Dillard. It looked like Perin had a knockdown, dropping the lower panel of the third jump, but it was still considered a no fault fence because the height was not altered.

“He went great,” said Engle of her 2000 Sydney Olympic mount. “He was a little frazzled in the schooling area so he got a little deep going into the third, but eventually he settled in. I am very happy with how he went. He’s an exceptional horse.”

Engle received her blue ribbon from Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. The pair bested competitors from four nations, including Ireland, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The evening began with star-studded opening ceremonies featuring Mrs. Bruce (Patty Scialfa) Springsteen, singing the National Anthem. The New York City Police Marching Band followed with a performance of America the Beautiful. Special presentations were made to the New York City Parks Mounted Auxiliary Unit, the New York City Police Color Guard and the New York City Special Forces K-9 Unit.