action in this year's Equefest at the Botanical Gardens, it took a coin toss to determine the overall winner.

And the saying that "luck runs with the champion'' held true when the coin landed favourably for Canada's Mario Deslauriers to walk away with his second consecutive title as Leading International and Equefest champion.

Deslauriers and Frenchman Gilles Bertram de Balanda were tied on 19 points after Saturday's events and yesterday's hilarious entertaining Ride `N' Pedal, involving horse and human driven vehicles which concluded the event, failed to separate the pair.

"It was a very nice competition and I am glad that I had the opportunity to come here,'' said Balanda during yesterday's prize giving. "The people here are fantastic and it was funny and great to participate today (Sunday) in the ride and bicycle. I would definitely like to come back again next year.'' Balanda, riding aboard Symphony, recorded a first in the Top Score-Horses category, was third in the Ride `N' Pedal and captained the red team to fourth in the Equefest Team competition.

Deslauriers, on Remus Du Rouhet, responded with a first, second and third.

Among the locals Carron Smith (Napoleon) grabbed top honours seizing the Adult category with five points, ahead of Heather Speck (Alibi) on four and Dale Rochester (Malajka) and Jill Terceira (Rima D'Aurelie) each with three points.

However, leading the way and in the process beating Smith and all others in the Power and Speed event was junior rider Melissa Pereech (Captain Sam). The youngster thus was named top Junior Rider ahead of Sara Smith (Corado).

The final class, that of the leading pony rider, went to Tiffany Heslop (Sandeman Port).

Despite the early curtailment Equefest chairman Ann Dunstan expressed pleasure at the way things had gone at this year's event.

"We've had a wonderful party here today and a great show yesterday and this morning,'' said Dunstan. "People have said that today's Ride `N' Pedal was the most wonderful class they had ever seen.'' Money raised from the event will be shared between the purchase of mammography equipment for the King Edward VII Hospital and the Equestrian Centre. Picture -- page 27.

UP AND OVER -- Junior champion Melissa Pereech clears a jump aboard her mount Captain Sam while riding in the Power and Speed Class at Equefest.

TWO TIMER -- Canadian rider Mario Deslauriers pictured en route to his second consecutive win at Equefest (see page 25).