US-based Kevin Babington, shortlisted for the Irish Olympic show jumping squad, drew first blood of 2004 at Wellington, Florida tonight (Sunday) with a $22,500 win on the Irish-bred <Carling King>.

Competing in the hotly-contested $75,000 PDP Capital Masters Cup Grand Prix against America's top riders and horses, the Carrick-on-Suir man was one of just two riders from a field of 50 to go through to the jump-off.

He said immediately after the win: < I was second to go in the jump-off, and when Kimberley Frey ran up 16 faults I knew all I had to do was be careful and I would take first place. I was so careful that I incurred three time faults, but had just one fence down on what was a very difficult track. That was enough to do the job. I am delighted
with Carling King, and am really looking forward to getting a chance to show our form at Athens.>

Babington is one of five riders short-listed by the Irish International Selectors for the Olympic team, the others being Billy Twomey, Cian O'Connor, Robert Splaine and Peter Charles.

SHOW JUMPING RESULT: CSI** WELLINGTON FLORIDA, USA

PDP Capital Masters Cup
$75,000 Grand Prix
Sunday February 29, 2004

1) CARLING KING: Kevin Babington (IRL) Faults 0/7 Time 62.09
2) MARLOU: Kimberley Frey (USA) Faults 0/16 Time 67.45
3) SUN GOD; Anne Kursinkski (USA) Faults 1/-

50 starters

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