July 13, 2006 – Ottawa, Ontario – Chris Kappler emerged the winner on Thursday at the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament. The international show jumping tournament runs July 12-16 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.

While Joe Fargis, a 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist claimed victory on Wednesday, the opening day of the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament, it was another American Olympian who topped the field on Thursday. Chris Kappler, Team Gold and Individual Silver Medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, won the Open Jumper 1.40m competition.

A total of 41 competitors attempted the first round track laid out by course designer Conrad Homfeld that saw the obstacles set at a height of 1.40m. Nine succeeded in advancing to the second round jump-off, but none were faster than Kappler riding Copado, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare. Despite being only the second challengers in the jump-off, the pair stopped the clock at 33.64 seconds, a time that would prove to be unbeatable.

The only Canadian to break into the top five, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, gave it his best shot with Lindberg des Hayettes, but his final time of 33.80 seconds left him in second place. The Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament is Lamaze's final competition on Canadian soil before he competes at his fourth consecutive World Championships next month in Aachen, Germany.

Three more American athletes also had clear rounds in the jump-off. Tracy Weinberg and Cromwell took third place, Darren Graziano and Zorro's Precision were fourth, and Eric Hasbrouck riding Allie placed fifth.

Show jumping action begins every morning at 7:30 a.m. Friday's featured event is the $20,000 Open Welcome scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. Canada's top show jumping athletes, including Ian Millar, Eric Lamaze, Chris Pratt and Frankie Chesler, defending champion of the 'Kubota Cup' Big Ben Memorial Grand Prix, will compete in this event.

Located in Ottawa’s west-end at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, at the Moodie Drive exit off of the 417 Highway, the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament attracts more than 10,000 spectators annually. Admission is $7 per person Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and $10 per person on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please visit www.capitalclassic.ca.

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Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Chris Kappler United States Copado 0:0 33:64
2. Eric Lamaze Schomberg, ON Lindberg des Hayettes 0:0 33.80
3. Tracy Weinberg United States Cromwell 0:0 34.23
4. Darren Graziano United States Zorro's Precision 0:0 34.93
5. Eric Hasbrouck United States Allie 0:0 35.29