Equestrian

New Yorker prevails at tough Grand Prix

Though tested by the indoor course, McLain Ward wins jumpoff.

By CHRISTINA K. COSDON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 24, 2003

TAMPA -- In Sunday's $60,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, 35 show jumpers competed in a tough, technical indoor course, with one rider and horse falling on a mountainous jump.

The crash came early as Danielle Torano, 29, of Fort Lauderdale and horse Aquila headed for the ninth of 16 jumping obstacles. Torano broke her collarbone; Aquila appeared uninjured. The show continued after Torano was taken to a hospital for X-rays.

Only six riders made it fault-free through the course to the jumpoff for the win.

McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., the final competitor in the jumpoff, had the fastest time, 34.46 seconds, and no faults to win $18,000.

"It was a hard course," said Ward, 27, "but appropriately difficult for a World Cup class."

Course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil said he designed the course to prepare riders for the indoor World Cup competition next month in Las Vegas. He said the course demanded riders to have "real good control" of horses and be ready to handle the tight twists and turns. "You have no room for mistakes," he said.

Ward said Viktor, a Dutch-bred gelding, is one of the most competitive horses he has ridden. "He understands what it's about and gives so much," he said. "He has a gift of heart."

Second and $12,000 went to 33-year-old Candice King of Wellington. She and Caliskan rode immediately after Torano's fall.

"I tried to stay focused and not think about it," she said. "I had a job to do." Because of the course's technical challenges, she said "you and your horse had to be on the money today."

Third and $6,000 went to 30-year-old Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee and Gardenio. "He jumped great today," Minikus said. Minikus said the course demanded the horse be responsive to the rider in order to be "balanced and organized through the turns."

He said the course designer "did a fantastic job" of creating a setting similar to what the riders will experience in the World Cup.

Fourth and $4,200 went to Leslie Howard, 46, of Westport, Conn.; fifth and $3,600 to Chris Kappler, 36, of Pittstown, N.J.; and sixth and $3,000 to Kimberly Frey, 37, of Hume, Va.

The top six compete at 7 p.m. Saturday in the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium.

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