Francis Tress Roig of Puerto Rico claimed his first Grand Prix victory of the Winter Equestrian Festival by winning the $40,000 KRR Enterprises CSI2* Grand Prix on Sunday, January 27. The $40,000 KRR Enterprises CSI2* Grand Prix was the final event of week two of the 12-week CN Winter Equestrian Festival, presented by Zimmerman Advertising.

A total of 53 horses attempted the technical 1.45m track and only four horse-rider combinations managed clean slates to advance to the jump-off. Canada's Eric Lamaze, 39, the leading money earner on the 2007 WEF circuit, was lightning fast as the lead-off rider, but a rail fell at the second-last fence. With four faults and a time of 39.88 seconds, he would eventually end up third with Narcotique de Muze II, an 11-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare by Darco.

Tress Roig of San Juan, Puerto Rico, was next to challenge and laid down a clear round in a time of 42.21 seconds with Lady in Blue, a selle francais mare sired by Mr. Blue. Louis Jacobs and the chestnut mare Kachina were next in the ring, but a rail fell early on course, ending their chances of victory and leaving them fourth overall.

As the final challenger, the final placings depended on McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y. Riding Sapphire, his 2004 Olympic Team Gold Medal partner, Ward was efficient and tactical to leave all the rails in the cups, but his time of 42.50 seconds would not be fast enough to catch Tress Roig.

Results of Class 101 - $40,000 KRR Enterprises CSI2* Grand Prix

1. LADY IN BLUE FRANCIS TRESS ROIG PUR 0.00 78.28 0.00 42.21 $12000
2. SAPPHIRE MCLAIN WARD USA 0.00 79.35 0.00 42.50 $8800
3. NARCOTIQUE DE MUZE II ERIC LAMAZE CAN 0.00 80.00 4.00 39.88 $5200
4. KACHINA LOUIS JACOBS USA 0.00 79.86 4.00 42.26 $3200
5. CLAUS ANGELA MOORE USA 1.00 82.19 $2400
6.TARCO JOE FARGIS USA 1.00 82.45 $2000
7. NERINA KENT FARRINGTON USA 4.00 76.07 $1600


photo : Eric Lamaze and Narcotique de Muze II