THERMAL, Calif.--Adrienne Sternlicht, 25 of Greenwich, Conn., riding a relatively new mount, won the $100,000 World Cup at HITS Thermal on Nov. 9.
Adrienne SternlichtSternlicht had only jumped Bennys Legacy at three events before heading to the west coast for World Cup competition, but it appears to be already a strong partnership.
Last to go in a five-horse jump-off, Sternlicht and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding went right into the lead, crossing the timers of Irish course designer Alan Wade’s shortened course in 39.56 seconds.
Californian Keri Potter and Ariell la Sirene finished second with a 40.89-second time, while Adam Prudent of Middleburg, Va., and Baloutine, the only other double-clear performers on the day, finished third in 41.83 seconds.
"IT'S MY THIRD show with him and my third jump-off," said Sternliicht, who trains with McLain Ward and was a member of the gold medal winning 2018 World Equestrian Games. "I thought that this jump-off played to his strengths. He's not a horse that's particularly used to going fast, as he's incredibly careful. I just tried to ride a smooth round and take advantage of his stride, take time where I needed and challenge him in a few places."
Bennys Legacy has been in Sternlicht’s string since the summer, and the gelding’s victory held special meaning given its timing.
“He’s named after an Irish boy that bought him as a foal," said Sternlicht. "He passed, and they named the horse after him. It’s a really special story. My groom and manager Emma Chapman was there with him the night before he died. For her, when I got the horse, it was a bit emotional. Thursday was the anniversary of his death. Those that knew Benny say the horse reminds them a lot of him. The horse knows that he has something special.”
Sternlicht was making her first trip to Thermal, traveling with Chapman while Ward was competing in Toronto on a double-header weekend of North American League action.
She sealed her win by leaving out strides in the first and final lines of the jump-off.
“It gives me a lot of confidence to prepare on my own,” Sternlicht said. “The two grooms I have here know me and my horses inside and out, and I know I can always call on them. As a rider, I’ve learned a lot from these experiences of being on my own. Ward called me after the first few went and asked if I had any questions. He tries to watch as much as he can, and I watch him. It’s a real team effort the way we do the sport.”
Following her win, Sternlicht moved into third place in the east coast sub league standings of the North American League with 26 points. She trails only Beezie Madden with 48 points and Brian Moggre, who has 41 points.
On the west coast, Karl Cook remains atop the standings with 49 points, while Ashlee Bond is second with 39 points. Potter moved into third with 32 points.
