Unfortunately, Covid and other problems beset members of The Horse of Delaware Valley's staff during the past 10 days, so there have been no stories on the  results of major events held during that period.

During that period, the first five star competition was held at the Winter Equestrian Center, and McLain Ward wasted no time in winning two of the major classes.

Updates on other competitions held during this period will follow in the next few days.

 

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Mclain Ward on Callas won over a nine-horse jump-off in the CHF406,000 ($435,991) CSI5* Grand Prix during Week 5’s ‘Saturday Night Lights’ at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Feb. 11.

McLain Ward on Callas (Photo by Sportfot)Ward followed that win up with a win in the CHF75,000 CSI5* 1.50m Classic to be the first rider to win the grand prix and 1.50m classic back-to-back at WEF since 2014.

In the Grand Prix, Ward beat what seemed like an untouchable leading time from Ireland’s Darragh Kenny on Volnay du Boisdeville.

Ward was clean in 44.03 seconds, nearly a second faster that Kenny (45.09).

An even smaller margin separated second and third place, with Kent Farrington stopping the clock at 45.14 seconds on Landon.

“She’s been knocking on the door, so it’s nice for us to break through and get a big win,” said Ward of Callas.

“The jump-off was built for us,” said Ward. “She cuts a little left and so one, two I could take a straight line. I needed the Hermès to show up well off that rollback. As you saw with everybody, you had to make a sharp turn and it was a bit awkward, but I got away with that one. She performed brilliant.”

 

WITH ONLY two to return behind him over the short course, Ward was happy to have names like Kenny and Farrington already on the leaderboard.

“It’s always easier when you come after riders like Kent," he said. "When you go before you do the best round, but when you go after you certainly are at an advantage.”

"Volnay du Boisdeville was brilliant again tonight,” said Kenny, who won a CSI3* grand prix win during opening week of FEI competition at WEF. “I’ve been second in three five stars with him, so at some point I hope we will break through.”

After celebrating the retirement of Gazelle earlier in the evening, Farrington was third on Landon, a mount he’s been campaigning since the horse’s 7-year-old year is now making waves at the highest level.

“I’ve brought him up slow. He’s an incredible jumper. His rideability was a bit difficult; that set some speed limits on me still for the jump-off but he’s learning to go a bit quicker,” said Farrington who won a CSI3* grand prix with Landon on the derby field three weeks earlier. “It was a tremendous performance for him, and this was his first night class here in the big ring. I thought he jumped incredible, so I think he has a bright future ahead of him.”

ON SUNDAY, Feb. 12, Ward on Alanine De Vains won the final five-star event of the week, beating a field of 67, 15 of which made the jump-off, in the CHF75,000 CSI5* 1.50m Classic

Germany’s Richard Vogel appeared to have the win as he took the early lead, but Ward knocked a little over a second off his time.

“I didn't think Richie went full out today,” said Ward. “He took a notch off, and I was aware of that. It allowed me to take a breath and ride my round, and it was just good enough.”

“This is only the second class I’ve shown her in,” he said. “She should have won the class earlier in the week, but I made a mistake. She's very careful and very fast, so that plays into my hand with a jump-off like this.”

“We've worked really hard to build a great string of horses, and also to maintain them so that they last a long time,” Ward said. “My top horses are 17 years old, 15 years old, and 14 years old. They are experienced which gives you such an advantage and their health is a great testament to my team. We have great owners that allow us to show these horses the right amount and not put too much pressure on them.”

Up-and-comer Zoe Conter rounded out the victory gallopon Dawa De Greenbay Z.