November 9, 2005 – Toronto, Ontario – American McLain Ward flew to the finish to capture the $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix on Wednesday night at the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 83rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair running November 4-13, 2005, in Toronto, ON.

As course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela had predicted, five of the 24 starters posted clear rounds over his technical course to advance to the jump-off round. First to challenge, British veteran Nick Skelton set the pace with a time of 34.01 seconds riding the athletic bay stallion, Arko III. Next into the ring was American Olympian Laura Kraut who finished just shy of his time at 34.26 seconds riding Anthem.

Canadian favourite Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, was next in the ring with Ashland Farm’s Hickstead. When the compact Dutch Warmblood stallion fell down on a tight turn from fence 10 to 11, Lamaze lost precious seconds but recovered to jump clear in a time of 33.95 and move into the lead. It was not to be his for long as Ward, part of the Gold Medal Team at last year’s Athens Olympics, guided Goldika to a clear round in a time of 33.06 seconds.

Dutch competitor Eric van der Vleuten gave it a shot with the stallion, Audi’s Oklund, but spent too much time in the air over the jumps to catch Ward’s time. Ward, who had won this event in 2003 riding Rio, emerged the winner. His victory made the class sponsor especially happy, as Hunter Harrison, CEO of CN, is also Goldika’s owner.

“The trick to winning tonight was trying not to go too fast,” revealed Ward of Brewster, NY, who first started competing at the Royal Horse Show at the age of 19. “Goldika is an incredibly fast horse, so I had to ride a quick round but try to keep it under control.”

The $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix also acted as the Canadian League World Cup Final and determined which two riders will represent Canada at the 2006 World Cup Final next April in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jill Henselwood and Chris Pratt ended the season tied for top spot in the standings with 59 points apiece.

CBC Sports will broadcast the $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix on Saturday, November 12 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. (EDT).

Thursday evening at the Royal Horse Show is all about dressage. The Grand Prix Freestyle of the Canadian League World Cup Final will be the featured event and will determine Canada’s sole representative at the 2006 World Cup Final next April in Amsterdam, NED.

Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances, held as part of the 83rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, can be purchased through Ticketmaster at tel: 416 872-7777 or www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules, please visit www.royalfair.org.

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