Following his victory in Friday’s $63,000 New York Welcome Stake presented by Evergate Stables, six-time U.S. Olympian and World #10 McLain Ward returned to the Old Salem Farm International Arena for a 1-2 finish in Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix presented by J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He claimed top honors aboard Lestro VD Valckenborg with a picture-perfect round in 33.82 seconds, then repeated his double-clear effort aboard Jordan Molga M for second place in 34.40 seconds.

Photo – McLain Ward (USA) and Lestro VD Valckenborg won Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix presented by J.P. Morgan Private Bank (© SEL Photography)

This victory marks Ward’s 16th Grand Prix win at Old Salem Farm, a record he hopes to increase on Sunday, May 17, as he aims to defend his title in the $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix presented by Old Salem Farm.

Premier Stop

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, one of the premier stops on the nation’s hunter-jumper horse show circuit, offers a full schedule of USEF and FEI events, May 5-10 and May 12-17. The Spring Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to Olympic veterans, such as local hero McLain Ward (USA), Daniel Bluman (ISR), Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), aboard their grand prix mounts. Week 1 (May 5-10) was USEF ‘National-6’ rated for hunters and jumpers and designated FEI CSI3*; Week 2 (May 12-17) is USEF ‘Premier-6’ rated and designated FEI CSI4*.

Ward and E.T.C. Custodian FBO Marta Mattox’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Lestro VD Valckenborg returned to the winner’s circle after their Welcome Stake win on Friday, this time leading the way as the pathfinders in Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix. They rode a faultless first round over Alan Wade’s 16-effort, 1.55m track, then set the jump-off time to beat at 33.82 seconds. Though that time proved uncatchable for even Ward’s other mount, Michael Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Jordan Molga M wasn’t far behind, finishing second in 34.40 seconds.

“It’s always great to win at home, and I think that success rate just means I’ve been doing it a lot,” Ward said with a laugh. “With Lestro, we’ve been on a nice upswing. He won the qualifier on Friday, and I have a lot of confidence in him. He really performed great. He responded well from (Fence #1 to #2) with a great turn.

Warmup

“This was actually Jordan’s warmup event,” he continued. “He’s going to go to Aachen in two weeks, so it was nice to be in a position not to put all the pressure on him and save him for another day. It’s especially exciting now to be on this stage with my kids and see them coming up, and McKayla (Langmeier), who’s in our circle, also had an amazing week.”

Fellow American McKayla Langmeier was the only other rider of the 30 entries representing seven nations to go double clear. She stopped the clock in 34.94 seconds to bring home third aboard Isidore De Chalusse, Rafferty Farm LLC’s 8-year-old Warmblood gelding.

Both Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Alessandra Volpi (USA) advanced to the jump-off with Ward and Langmeier. Coyle dropped a rail with Elan Farm’s 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Ariso to fall to fourth place on a four-fault score. Volpi elected to retire from the shortened track with Haya Loma N, Cedar Fox LLC’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, for fifth.

“It’s a bigger event next week with the CSI4*, so I think we’re going to see a stronger field,” Ward said. “I’ll be using the young horse, Lestro, again. It’ll be a step up for him, but I think he’s obviously ready to handle that challenge. Then my other horses of Michael Smith’s (Jordan and High Star Hero) will be off to Aachen in two weeks – the greatest stage in show jumping.”

Junior and Amateur Jumpers

Earlier in the day, junior and amateur jumpers starred in the International Arena for the 1.35m and 1.40m classics and championships. Among them was Layla Kurbanov of Greenwich, CT, who piloted her Sally 721 to victory in the $7,500 NAL/SJHOF 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic with a double-clear time of 28.914 seconds. Kurbanov and Sally also secured the 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Championship.

“I went second, so I really tried my best to go as fast as I could,” Kurbanov said. “I knew there were a lot of really strong competitors coming in behind me, but I just hoped for the best. I’m glad it all worked out. This is a great show and a great venue. The ring is always really nice, and Alan Wade built a great course for us today.”

The $15,000 SJHOF 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic presented by Eastern Hay immediately followed, with Baylee McKeever of Brewster, NY, taking top honors aboard her Formidable in 35.364 seconds, nearly three seconds faster than her fellow double-clear competitors. The pair also earned the 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Championship presented by Eastern Hay for their efforts.

“I was trying to stick to the plan, which was to step up into that first line and just follow through the second,” McKeever said. “I tried to just remain focused on my ride and not really worry about who went before me or who was coming after me. I’m so happy that this win was in our cards today. It’s been a great week here, and I can’t wait for next week.”

Week One Hunters

The Week 1 hunter divisions also concluded in the Hedge and June Road rings. Earning the Grand Children’s Pony Hunter Championship was Northern Ridge Stables LLC’s Orchard Hills Decoupage, ridden by James Reynolds of New York, NY, in the Children’s Large Pony Hunter division. Irene Neuwirth of Culver City, CA, and her Daffodil walked away with the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship for their outstanding performances in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 & Over division. Tobie Van De Lufkenshoeve, owned and ridden by Lillian Orne of Concord, MA, in the Large Pony Hunter division, secured the Grand Pony Hunter Championship.

In the Grand Children’s Hunter Horse Championship, TooManyPonies LLC’s VDL White Chocolate claimed top honors with Aurelia Lee of Rye, NY, in the irons, competing in the Children’s Hunter Horse 15-17 division. Faith Schuttemeyer of Boynton Beach, FL, rode Just Dandi LLC’s Final Cut to the Grand Junior Hunter Championship after a strong showing in the Junior 3’6” Hunter 16-17 division.

Full results can be found on HorseShowsOnline.com. Competition will resume at Old Salem Farm on Wednesday, May 13, with various Open Jumper, Performance Hunter, and Green Hunter divisions.

Located just one hour north of New York City, Old Salem Farm has a long history of hosting world-class horse shows. Over the years, Old Salem Farm has hosted United States Olympic Team Selection Trials, FEI World Cup™ qualifiers, FEI North American Youth Championships and ASPCA Maclay Regional Finals.