Kate Reuter Surfs to Big Win with On Line in $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix

Wayne, IL - Today's $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix gave the 5,000 spectators at the Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II a thrilling event. Eleven horses advanced to the jump-off today, and it was 27-year-old Kate Reuter of Oconomowoc, WI, on her 12-year-old stallion On Line who were the fastest. New York City's Addison Phillips and Regina V finished second, while Charlie Jayne of Elgin, IL, on Cashmere was third.

Today's course was designed by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico. There were 30 entries in the first round, and 11 had no faults to advance to the jump-off. Charlie Jayne, who is currently on the Olympics Short List for the United States Equestrian Team, qualified all four of his mounts for the second round.

Jayne was first into the ring for the jump-off on Emily Esau's Cashmere. After a very fast gallop to the final jump, they stopped the timers in 43.999 seconds with no faults. Immediately following Jayne was Phillips on Regina V. With smooth, tight turns and a quick pace, they brought the winning time down to 42.459 seconds with a clear round.

Wilhelm Genn, last year's Wachovia Securities Leading Open Rider Series winner, went for the win with Chantal, but they had one rail down for four faults in 43.324 seconds, which put them into sixth place at the end of the class. Charlie Jayne and Boxster had an unfortunate eight faults in their jump-off round in 45.639 seconds for ninth place.

Next in was Reuter with On Line, a Dutch Warmblood horse that she has owned for eight years. The pair has been showing at the grand prix level since 2006, and they won three grand prix events prior to today. Reuter took the outside turn option after fence three, which kept them on a fast, smooth pace. Going to the final jump, Reuter opened up On Line's stride and they flew over the oxer and stopped the timers in 41.095 seconds to take the lead. All of the riders who entered the jump-off after her would have faults, which gave her the win.

Phillips and her second mount, Cernunnus von Hof, had trouble and racked up 23 faults, while Jayne and Thomas Edison had one rail for four faults. Chuck Waters and 747 saw the same fate of one fence down, as did Kirsten Coe on Starlight. Genn and his second mount, Happy Z, had the fastest time of the day in 40.513 seconds, but they had four faults at jump 9b. The final horse in the ring was Jayne's Gangsta, who finished with 12 faults.

Today was a very exciting win for Reuter, who said that her horse always enters the ring wanting to win. "He wants to win almost more than I do," she acknowledged. "He's just an absolute dream. He's incredibly smart, so it's more just me staying out of his way. He will always jump clean as long as I'm not in his way. He has an incredible heart and tries so hard. I'm so lucky to have him. He's a true winner."

Reuter had a goal today that she carries with her into every class. "My plan in every jump-off is to go as fast as I can go clean. Today, my personal best was better than everybody else! I tried not to touch the reins and keep going," she said.

The grand prix and this week's horse show are sponsored by Wachovia Securities, and many of the company's employees had the chance to see some of the best grand prix action in the Midwest today at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Reuter was thrilled to win not only for herself, but for Wachovia. "You feel like you're riding for your sponsor. It makes the win so much more special because the sponsor is excited for it," she explained. "It's not just the people in my barn who really like me!"

She added, "It's a neat sponsorship because they really get involved. They bring a lot of people out here, and it's great to have a crowd to ride in front of. You don't get that very much at horse shows, anywhere in the United States. There are people cheering and rooting (here). It's really fun to have them here, and it makes it feel like more of a sport."

The Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II wraps up competition tomorrow and the feature jumper classes are the $20,000 NAL Children's/Adult Grand Prix sponsored by Tapestry Farms, the $10,000 Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by Wachovia Securities, and the $20,000 High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by Turtle Rock Farms.

For more information on the horse show and full results, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.

WACHOVIA SECURITIES:
Wachovia Securities is the nation's third largest brokerage group and is based in Richmond, VA. It is a non-bank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation and provides financial advisory, brokerage, asset management and other financial services, helping clients make the most of their existing and potential assets through sound investment advice and the highest level of service. For more information about Wachovia Securities, LLC, please visit www.wachoviasec.com.

Final Results: $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix

Place, Horse, Owner, Rider, Hometown, First Round Faults/Jump-off Faults/Jump-off Time

1. On Line, Kate Reuter, Kate Reuter, Oconomowoc, WI, 0/0/41.095
2. Regina V, Addison Phillips, Addison Phillips, New York, NY, 0/0/42.459
3. Cashmere, Emily Esau, Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 0/0/43.999
4. Happy Z, Wilhelm and Patty Genn, Wilhelm Genn, Lebanon, OH, 0/4/40.513
5. Thomas Edison, Alex Jayne, Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 0/4/41.988
6. Chantal, Laura Ryan-Barnaclo, Wilhelm Genn, Lebanon, OH, 0/4/43.324
7. Starlight, Laura King-Kaplan, Kirsten Coe, Katonah, NY, 0/4/43.500
8. 747, Chuck Waters, Chuck Waters, Sparr, FL, 0/4/47.577
9. Boxster, Alex Jayne, Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 0/8/45.639
10. Gangsta, Alex Jayne, Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 0/12/48.382
11. Cernunnus von Hof, Addison Phillips, Addison Phillips, New York, NY, 0/23/60.807
12. J.F., Erica Garcia, Maggie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 4/80.462

Photo Credit: Kate Reuter and On Line won the $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix. Photo (C) 2008 Jennifer Wood/PMG.