NORTH SALEM, N.Y.--Following his victory in Friday’s $63,000 New York Welcome Stake, six-time U.S. Olympian and World #10 McLain Ward finished both first and second in the $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix on Sunday, May 10 at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows.
McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valckenborg (Photo by SEL Photography)Going first in a five horse jump-0ff on Lestro VD Valckenborg, Warrd finished clean in 33.82 seconds, then on Jordan Molga M was also clean but in 34.40 seconds to place second.
The only other clean in the jump-off was McKayla Langmeier, who trains with Ward.
Langmeier on Isidore De Chalusse finished in 34.94 seconds to place third.
Jordan Coyle of Ireland on Ariso had four faults in 33.07 to place fourth and Alessandra Volp on Haya Loma N retired after having a rail down and a stop to place fifth.
This victory was 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.
“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 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 one to two with a great turn."
“This was actually Jordan’s warmup event,” he said. “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, who’s in our circle, also had an amazing week.”
Ward's youngest daughter Lauren was Small Pony Champion on Celebration.
To complete Ward's winning circle, Baylee McKeever, daughter of Lee McKeever, Ward's long time manager, was 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Champion
“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.”
McLeever on Formidable won the $15,000 SJHOF 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic.
McKeever finished clean in 35.364 seconds, nearly three seconds faster than her competitors.
The win gave her the 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Championship.
“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.”
