The 2007 American Grand Prix Association (AGA) tour is only five events old, but McLain Ward, a three-time American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year, has already put himself in a excellent position to take home a fourth title, following his impressive victory in the richest grand prix ever held in the United States.

Entering its 29th year, the AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping is the world’s richest and longest running series of equestrian show jumping events. The AGA series offers over $3-million in prize money on a tour that encompasses 30 events and 20 different equestrian markets across the United States.

Ward, and his mount Sapphire, who concurrently leads in the race for AGA Horse of the Year, won the $395,781 CN Worldwide Florida Open on March 17 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Ward, who leads with 166 points, picked up an unprecedented 135 points for the victory. This was in addition to the three clear rounds he registered for the biggest win of his career. The CN Worldwide Florida Open win was Ward’s second of the 2007 season in five events. In February, he captured the top prize in the $75,000 Bainbridge Idle Dice Classic, CSI-W. In that victory, by comparison, Ward only pocketed 25 points, along with two clear rounds.

Canadian riders rank second through fourth in the latest AGA Rider of the Year standings. Frankie Chesler-Ortiz, a second-place finisher to Ward in the Florida Open, is second in the rider race with 93 points, while fellow Canadian Eric Lamaze, with four top finishes during WEF, is in third place with 65 points. Mario Deslauriers rounds out the top four, one point behind Lamaze, with 64. Danielle Torano is fifth with 56 points, and Todd Minikus is a distant sixth with 38 points.

Sapphire, Ward’s Olympic and 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games partner, has nearly a $69,000 lead over Chesler-Ortiz’s Picolien Zeldenrust in the race for AGA Horse of the Year. Sapphire, owned by Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock has bankrolled a whopping $157,927, while Chesler’s mount banks in at $89,052. Third place in the race for Horse of the Year is held down by Paradigm, Mario Deslauriers’ top mount, with a total of $59,750 in prize money won. Hickstead from the Torrey Pines Stable, with $58,578, and Vancouver D'Auvray owned by Sir Ruly, Inc., with $52,770, round out the top five.

The next two events on the 2007 AGA tour are in Tampa, FL. The $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, CSI-W, is on April 1, at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, and the grand finale of the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival, the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, CSI**** is at Raymond James Stadium on April 7, 2007.

Following the two Florida events, the East Coast AGA tour moves to the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, NC, on April 15, for the $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSI****.

On the West Coast, the $100,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar takes place on May 5, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena in Del Mar, CA.

For complete standings, visit www.stadiumjumping.com/aga.

~~~