McLain Ward Cruises to Victory in the $15,000 Speed Derby at the Hampton Classic

Activity in the jumper rings picked up speed Friday morning at the Hampton Classic, with qualifying classes taking place for those hoping to move forward to the weekend’s finals, and championships being awarded in divisions having taken place throughout the week.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2018 WEG team gold medalist McLain Ward claimed victory in the $15,000 Speed Derby Friday afternoon, his second win this week with new mount Silberrose. The Derby course included the natural obstacles which the Classic’s grand prix ring is known for: the bank, the open water and the beautiful trimmed hedges.

Ward had not tested his new mount over Derby-style obstacles prior to competing at the Classic, but explained that as in life, a positive attitude can take you a long way.

“She’s really a game, brave, competitive mare and she was really on form today,” said Ward of Silberrose. “I knew she had jumped the water before, but I didn’t know how she would be to the bank.

“With a Derby course, if you have a horse that you know you can count on not to be afraid of those different fences, that’s always a great benefit. Even in those places, you can shave a bit of time by taking more risk. Today we saw some of the riders really taking time and setting up the natural fences. It helps that she’s also just a really fast horse. She doesn’t waste a lot of time. She doesn’t have a huge stride but the way the lines were set up today, I could do the same number of strides as the bigger horses without slowing down.”

Ward and Silberrose stopped the clock in 60.199 seconds with Ireland’s Richie Moloney and Shane Sweetnam taking second and third positions with times of 62.759 and 63.316 seconds respectively.

The first class in the grand prix ring Friday morning was the $10,000 Junior/Amateur/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. It was won by 19-year old Diego Loria, representing Costa Rica in his first trip to the Classic. The top three times were all under a minute, and within tenths of a second of one another. Loria and his mount Di Vadine had a winning time of 58.928 seconds. Second went to Bronte Gray-Rochon of Canada and Williamstown Guidam in 58.939 seconds and third to American Catalina Peralta with Conti in 59.074 seconds.

“The class was extremely challenging with a bunch of great riders,” said Loria. “We found a really steady rhythm, I tried not to hold too much and we found good distances. She’s really fast on her own and we were able to leave out strides in most of the lines. We did the bank very fast; others held a lot more coming down the side of the bank. We found a great distance from the bank to fence five – I think that’s where we were able to win it today.”

In the $10,000 SHF Enterprises 7 & Under Young Jumper class, six horses advanced to the jump-off from the original starting field of 24. Of those six, just two were able to leave the jumps in the cups. Israel’s Ilan Ferder with Massimo went clean in a time of 38.344 seconds to take the lead. Last to jump, Ferder’s student, Victoria Birdsall, bested her boss with Maestro Van Het Binnenveld to the win in a time of 35.419 seconds.

“Nobody in the jump-off was clear until my boss and trainer Ilan Ferder jumped clear and he was pretty fast!” said Birdsall. “This horse is pretty careful so I knew I could go for it, and Ilan always likes us to go for it. He stayed out of the way of the jumps and I stayed out of his way.

“The young horse division is about having the horses be confident which comes from preparation at home. They are learning but they also need to be enjoying their job. This horse loves to jump, so for me it’s about getting to a good spot and leaving him alone.”

With Friday’s win and consistent results in Tuesday and Wednesday’s classes, Birdsall and Maestro Van Het Binnenveld were crowned Champions in the SHF Enterprises 7 & Under Jumper division. Reserve went to Brianne Goutal-Marteu and Goodwill V/D Coefering.

Saturday, September 1st is Kids Day presented by News 12 Long Island at the Hampton Classic!

Featuring activities for the entire family from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., children under 12 are admitted free and can receive a free pony ride with Steppin’ Out Ponies, dance to the hits with DJ Ray from Jarrell Entertainment, get their faces painted and much more! News 12 Long Island will be handing out complimentary sets of coloring pencils while supplies last. Kids can participate in the “Horseless Horse Show” to benefit JustWorld beginning at approximately 3:00pm.

The Grand Prix ring will be active all morning, including the $15,000 Carolex Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic followed by the feature class of the day, the $72,000 LONGINES Cup scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.

Hunters continue with the Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owners, The Competitive Equestrian Small Junior Hunters, the Snaks Fifth Avenchew Small Pony Hunters and more.

One of the most spectacular equestrian events in the nation, The Hampton Classic showcases the highest levels of show jumping competition. The world-class event hosts hundreds of top riders and horses from all over the world, competing over eight days for prestigious titles and over $800,000 in prize money. The week builds towards the $300,000 DOHA.INC Grand Prix CSI4* on Sunday, September 1, after which the $30,000 LONGINES Rider Challenge will be awarded.

The 65-acre Hampton Classic show grounds is also a shopping and dining mecca. There is a wide variety of food choices, daily kids' activities, and the luxurious Agneta Currey Boutique Gardenand Stable Row feature more than 80 vendors.

For those who can’t make it to the show grounds, complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix ring competitions air on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and courtesy of LONGINES. Complimentary live webcast of all Anne Aspinall ring competitions also air on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and sponsored by RideTV.  In addition, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv. Most of the Classic’s other classes are also available on ShowNet.biz.

For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com  or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.

$15,000 FEI Speed Derby 1.40m

Rider / Horse / Country / Time
1.    McLain Ward / Silberrose / USA / 60.199
2.    Richie Moloney / Boriena H / Ireland / 62.759
3.    Shane Sweetnam / Kecho Du Sud / 63.316
4.    Lillie Keenan / Ikea / USA / 63.341
5.    Erynn Ballard / Edison P / Canada / 63.411
6.    Mario Deslauriers / Cloud 39 / Canada / 64.300