Peter Charles on Murka's Pall Mall Captures Third Grand Prix Win

WELLINGTON, Fla., Feb. 12--Great Britain's Peter Charles on Murka's Pall Mall captured his third Grand Prix win of the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Thursday, taking the sixth round of the $30,000 Braman Motorcars WEF Challenge Cup.

Thirty-six starters challenged the course designed by Steve Stephens, with six returning for the jump off.

Charles and Pall Mall, owned by Sandra Cordiner, posted a clean jumpoff round in 34.90 secs., slightly faster than second place finisher, Mario Deslauriers of Canada and his Paradigm who cleared the course in 35.680 secs.

After watching Mario's jump off ride, Peter said he knew where he had to make up his time.

"There was only one real turn in the course to gamble," he said, "so I knew I had to go tighter to the second fence. In the lines there was not much else I could do."

Charles's three children, who are on vacation here from Great Britain, were able to watch their father take first place and approved of his ride. His son, Harry, said of his round, "It was good."

Both Peter and Mario were pleased with the course designed for the class held in the DeNemethy ring while the Hunter Spectacular qualifying classes are being held in the International Arena.

"You need more control for this ring," Charles said.

Deslauriers agreed and noted, "the fences come quicker. It helps to have an adjustable horse, but the course was a perfect fit for the ring."

Already leading the Braman WEF Standings, Charles's win in Thursday's round will help separate him from the rest of the challengers.

1.MURKA'S PALL MALL PETER CHARLES GBR 75.273 34.900
2.PARADIGM MARIO DESLAURIERS CAN 74.012 35.680
3.TOKADE DE KALVAR NATALIE JOHNSON USA 75.394 37.209
4.LENNOX LEWIS 2 LESLIE HOWARD USA 76.444 4 34.407
5. PALOUCHIN DE LIGNY RODRIGO PESSOA BRA 71.270 4 35.297
6.PLAY ON BEEZIE MADDEN USA 76.643 8 34.654
7.SINATRA PABLO BARRIOS VEN3 79.29
8.YB BLUE NICK NOVAK USA4 73.230
9.ROCKY W SHANE SWEETNAM IRL4 73.747
10.HIDDEN CREEK'S PAMINA MARGIE ENGLE USA4 74.133

By ROXANE THEIDEL

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