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Articles: Press Release
Margie Engle Jumps to Victory
in the 2004 $50,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix
Contact:
News For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Melissa Lovasco - (978) 283-7708
South Hamilton, MA - October 27, 2004 - Eight-time American Grandprix
Association Rider of the Year, Margie Engle of Wellington, FL jumped to victory in
the $50,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix on September 12. The 15th
Anniversary of the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic featured many Olympic and U.S.
Equestrian Team veterans during the course of the thrilling show jumping
event.
Located in South Hamilton, MA, this is the fourth year that Fidelity
Investments has sponsored this important equestrian and charity event.
Riding Nobility owned by Robert Pergament of Boca Raton, FL, Engle turned in
an unbeatable jump-off time of 37.197 seconds to take the victory. This was an
especially meaningful win for Engle as it put her on top of the American
Grandprix Association (AGA) all-time leader board with her 41st AGA Grand Prix
win. Making the event extra special for Engle was being mounted on Nobility owned
by Pergament, a longtime owner of many of her top horses and booster of the
sport.
Engle also turned the historic hat trick of winning both the Fidelity Grand
Prix and the $6000 Turnabout Farm Welcome Stake on the same horse, Nobility.
This is the first time that any rider has ever won both classes in the same year
at the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic. Kristi Smith riding Jeannieta
owned by Knightsfork, Inc. was second in the Welcome Stake, while former Olympian
Laura Kraut and Summit Partner's Joyous placed third.
Second place in the $50,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix was awarded to
Ramiro Quintana riding Hurricane, owned by Turnabout Farm and Sarah Willeman of
Wellington, FL who finished with a jump-off time of 38.719 seconds. This was a
catch ride for Ramiro as Joe Fargis who normally rides this horse broke his
collarbone the week preceding the Jumper Classic. Third place was awarded to
Christine Tribble of E. Winsor, CT riding Laddidor, stopping the timers in
39.658 seconds. The 2003 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix Champion, Canadian Ainsley
Vince, had to settle for a fourth place finish this year aboard Kafka.
Eight horses out of the 40 entered in the Grand Prix jumped cleanly over
Olympic course designer Richard Jeffery's first round course to return for the
final deciding jump-off. Jeffery hails from Dorset, Great Britain.
It was a record year for the Jumper Classic. With over eight thousand people
in attendance, and twelve hundred VIP guests enjoying a gourmet champagne
luncheon, they gathered to view one of the highest caliber equestrian competitions
ever to be held in New England. In addition to the exciting show jumping
competition, 40 vendors set up interesting and unique wares, and pony rides along
with other activities for the kids made the event very special for families.
The Northeast Friesian Horse Club's Drill Team presented a stunning
presentation of grace and maneuverability which left the crowd happily amazed during the
Grand Prix intermission. The next stop for these elegant and enormous black
horses will be at the 2004 Metropolitan National Horse Show in New York City,
NY.
During the lunch break on Sunday, several presentations were made prior to
the official Fidelity Investments Grand Prix course walk. Olympic Bronze
Medalist Chris Kappler, just home from the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, was
presented with a silver tray from the Jumper Classic for his Olympic accomplishments.
The Wachovia Securities Seniors Division Championship ribbon was awarded to
Donald Little of Ipswich, MA. Ellie Belknap was the lucky winner of a years'
lease of a Sooner trailer for jumping to the top in the High Junior/Amateur
Classic.
In other action during the week, the Dover Saddlery NAL Children's Jumper
Classic was won by Nick Dello Joio riding Tiger Lilly owned by Wembley Farm,
while Rebecca Margolis on Bantry Bay took home the red ribbon. Dello Joio also
placed third with his other mount, Zumanii, owned by Ellie Belknap.
The $5,000 Maserati Speed Stakes was won by Margie Engle riding Charlie Brown
owned by Hidden Creek Farm. Second place went to Valerie Dent and Graphite,
while Marilyn Little riding Norappa La Silla, owned by Club Hipicola Silla, was
third. Margie Engle, who also won the Jumper Classic in 2000, is the first
rider in the history of our event to win the Speed Stakes and the Grand Prix at
the same competition on the same day; a feat of equestrian skill by one of the
legends in this sport.
Carsten Jaeger aboard Carino won the $1,500 United Airlines Classic. Amanda
Starbuck rode Lickety Split to earn the blue ribbon in the $2,000
Junior/Amateur Low Classic. Aboard Land Mark, Deb Bannon was victorious in the $1,500
Pegasus Farm Tack Shop NAL Adult Jumper Classic. The successful Margie Engle and
her mount Animagus, owned by Frances Snodgrass, finished on top in the $1,300
Wetherbee Farm Real Estate class.
"The 2004 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic was a huge success," exclaimed
Show Manager Peggy Lynch. "Each year gets better and better. We were thrilled
to have 2004 Olympic Medalist Chris Kappler join us. We are so thankful to all
our sponsors, volunteers, and employees who make this such a special show."
"Additionally, we are incredibly pleased to announce that Fidelity
Investments has signed on to sponsor the 2005 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic again.
We look forward to working with Fidelity Investments to make the 2005 show a
very special event."
For more information on the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, please call
1-978-283-7708 or go to http://www.jumperclassic.com/.
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