Mclain Ward & HH Carlos Z. Ph. ©The Book
Two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward topped the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake CSI2* riding HH Carlos Z on Friday, May 12, at the 2017 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 9-14 and May 16-21 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
Currently ranked number two in the world, Ward and longtime partner HH Carlos Z, owned by Double H Farm of Ridgefield, CT, won top honors over a field of 62 horses. The pair crossed the timers in 36.23 seconds from the 28th position in the original order. Their time over a power and speed track built by designer Ken Krome of Westminster, MD, stood for the win.
“Carlos felt really good today,” said Ward who gave the 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z x Voltaire) some time off after being sidelined by an injury in the fall of 2016. ”We tried to bring him back slowly throughout the Florida season and stepped back up to 1.50m at the end of WEF, and I really felt that he was back in a good place.”
Less than one second slower than Ward, Jonathan McCrea (USA) rode Special Lux to second place in 36.61 seconds for owners Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables. Devin Ryan (USA) claimed third-place honors riding his own Cooper after stopping the clock at 37.37 seconds. Andrew Ramsay (USA) was fourth riding Stranger 30 in 37.43 seconds for the Stranger Group, and Cloe Hymowitz (USA) rounded out the top five in 37.92 seconds riding Cylana, owned by Rose Hill Farm.
“Carlos is always strong on grass, so we really look forward to these venues,” continued Ward, who hails just up the road from Old Salem Farm in Brewster, NY. “I am a lifelong resident of this area and really proud of what has happened here at Old Salem Farm. This is a horse community, and it is great to have so many good competitors here. The field today was really strong.”
After winning the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, NE, earlier this year, Ward’s season with HH Azur is off to an impressive start, but he is also excited about continued success with HH Carlos Z. He noted, “He has been a great horse for many years, has the experience, and has been a great campaigner. I am lucky to have such a great team behind me to keep them healthy now that they are in their later years.”
HH Carlos Z will compete next in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 14.
Earlier in the day on Friday, U.S. Olympic team gold medalist Peter Wylde topped the $6,500 Open Jumper 1.35m, presented by Wells Fargo Advisors Blaustien-Clancey, riding Canamera 2 on the Grand Prix Field at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.
Wylde and Canamera 2, an eight-year-old Holsteiner mare (Clarimo x Carthago) owned by Kathleen Kamine, were double clear and quick to top a starting field of 58.
“She’s a superstar,” said Wylde of the horse he has had the ride on for a year and a half. “She is certainly one of the best horses I have, but I also think she might be one of the best horses I have ever had. She’s extremely careful, has all the scope in the world, and is very brave. I’ve been to championships, have had horses that have gone to championships and she feels like that kind of horse, but I want to do what’s right for the horse and not rush. If we get there, great!”
Wylde and Canamera 2 stopped the jump-off clock at 34.315 seconds for the win. Ward claimed second riding his own Bellefluer PS Z in a time of 35.260 seconds. Aiden Killeen (IRL) jumped to third aboard IDream for owner Andrea Vogel in 35.422 seconds. In fourth, Jonathan McCrea rode Wannick WH to a time of 36.060 seconds for Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables, while Beezie Madden (USA) rounded out the top five riding Darry Lou for Abigail Wexner in 36.777 seconds.
Jumper competition continues Saturday with the $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by TownVibe, which has been moved to start at 8 a.m., while the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion will be crowned in the Main Hunter Ring. Also on Saturday, the $5,000 Equitation Challenge will welcome top junior riders to the Sand Ring to battle it out for the 2017 title.
Spectators are welcome at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday. On the weekends of May 13-14 and 20-21, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12. Tickets are available at OldSalemFarm.net.
Stay informed on the happenings at Old Salem Farm this spring with live streaming of the Grand Prix Field Friday through Sunday during the Spring Horse Shows at www.oldsalemfarm.net. Old Salem Farm and Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are also on Facebook, as well as on Twitter and Instagram as @oldsalemfarmny. Follow for an exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at the Old Salem Farm experience.
Top 12: $35,000 New York Welcome Stake CSI2*
1 HH CARLOS Z: 2002 Zangersheide gelding by Chellano Z x Voltaire
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Double H Farm: 0/0/36.23
2 SPECIAL LUX: 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Lux x Coille Mor Hill
JONATHAN MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/0/36.61
3 COOPER: 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Unaniem x Baloubet du Rouet
DEVIN RYAN (USA), Devin Ryan: 0/0/37.37
4 STRANGER 30: 2006 Hanoverian gelding by Stakkato x Cheenook
ANDREW RAMSAY (USA), The Stranger Group: 0/0/37.43
5 CYLANA: 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare by Skippy II x Darco
CLOE HYMOWITZ (USA), Rose Hill Farm: 0/0/37.92
6 BREITLING LS: 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quintero x Accord II
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/38.22
7 EDDIE BLUE: 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Zirocco Blue VDL x Marlon
DEVIN RYAN (USA), LL Show Jumpers, LLC: 0/0/38.23
8 HESTER: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Palestro
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA), Lisa Deslauriers: 0/0/38.36
9 TERCEIRA: 2007 Selle Francais gelding by Quaprice Boimargot Quincy x Grandeur
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Hampton Farms LLC: 0/0/38.51
10 DONAR J: 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Skippy II
ADRIENNE IVERSON (CAN), Redfield Farm: 0/0/38.870
11 CASSINJA S: 2006 Dutch Sporthorse mare by Carinjo x Cassini I
CHARES JACOBS (USA), CMJ Sporthorse, LLC: 0/0/39.98
12 SIMBA: 2006 Oldenburg gelding by Toulon x Argentinus
BEAT MANDLI (SUI), Grant Road Partners, LLC: 0/0/41.19