November 9, 2004 – Toronto, Ontario – McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, opened the international division of the Royal Horse Show with a win in Tuesday’s $15,000 International Jumper Welcome in Toronto, ON.

A total of nineteen competitors attempted the course set by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela with four managing to post clear rounds. However, none were as fast as Ward, a 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist, who stopped the timers at 49.80 seconds riding Goldika. Closest to his time was France’s Philippe Rozier who came close, but not close enough, when he clocked in at 49.96 seconds riding the speedy mare, Heritiere d’Adrier.

Nick Skelton of Great Britain took third place with his Athens Olympic mount, Arko III, while American Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, placed fourth riding Flier. Making it a truly international field, Markus Beerbaum of Germany rounded out the top five riding Constantin after incurring one time penalty for exceeding the 60-second time allowed.

Ward will also be hoping to defend his title in Wednesday’s $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix used to determine which two riders represent Canada at the 2005 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, NV. Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances can be purchased through Ticketmaster at tel: 416 872-7777 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules and results, please visit www.royalfair.org or call tel: 416 263-3400.

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Rider, Hometown, Horse, Faults, Time
1. McLain Ward Brewster, NY Goldika 0 49.80
2. Philippe Rozier France Heritiere d’Adrier 0 49.96
3. Nick Skelton Great Britain Arko III 0 56.30
4. Todd Minikus Loxahatchee, FL Flier 0 58.41
5. Markus Beerbaum Germany Constantin 1 60.28