<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><strong>Guy Thomas created
history today (Sunday NZ time) as the first rider ever to win all three grand
prix on one horse to take the Triple Crown of showjumping in Northern
California.</strong></span></p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">He and Peterbilt
headed home a 25-strong class, with fellow Kiwis Peter Breakwell second on
Lucas, Rachel Fields (nee York) sixth on Karl du Chateau and Duncan McFarlane
seventh on Mr Whoppy. Thomas rounded out the top 12 at the Capital City Classic
in Sacramento, placing ninth on Vivaldi and 11<sup>th</sup> on Carino.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The historic third
leg win earned him an extra $US70,000 in bonuses, and an ecstatic Thomas didn't
even know what he had also amassed in prize money – probably around another
$US80,000 for the three grand prix wins.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The 32-year-old is
hopeful his efforts have caught the eye of New Zealand selectors, who are in the
throes of naming a team to compete at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in
September.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">This win is for my
parents (Butch and Lou Thomas),” said Thomas. “I couldn't have better backers
than them – they've put me on brilliant horses and in a spot to win.”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Which he has done
very consistently in recent months.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Thomas was last of
eight to go in the jump-off today. Ahead of him Breakwell had set the pace that
none had been able to match. However, Thomas and Peterbilt – who is a half
brother to Katie McVean's (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delphi, the current New
Zealand Showjumper of the Year – not only went clear, but came home with two
seconds to spare.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Thomas has won the
rider bonus twice before, stopped in his clean sweep of the three grand prix
last year by fellow Kiwi Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay). </font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">My horse has just
been outstanding,” Thomas said of his 10-year-old mount. “He's been fantastic
all year. Winning the Triple Crown is right up there for me – I feel finally I
have really grown in my riding.”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Next weekend
they'll start at the first of the Spruce Meadows tournaments, and he's hopeful
he'll be at Kentucky in September.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">That's the goal.
Hopefully all will stay as it is and I will keep riding properly and stay out of
his way. He's a fighter this horse – just incredible.”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The Thomas' bred
Peterbilt and Thomas has competed on both the dam and the sire with
success.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">I hope I can keep
it going, keep on wearing the New Zealand flag proudly and keep putting up good
results.”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">It is the first
time in the five years the Triple Crown has been running that one rider has won
all three grand prix legs.<br><br>- Diana Dobson<br>SJNZ Media Liason</font></p>
