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Mclain Ward won the $63,000 Welcome Stake at Old Salem (2)

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May 9, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, N.Y.--Six time U.S. Olympian and World #10 McLain Ward defended his title in the $63,000 New York Welcome Stake on Friday, May 8, this time riding Lestro VD Valckenborg. 

McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valkenborg (Photo by SEL Photography)Nine were clean in the 12 horse jump-off from a starting field of 34 over the course set by Alan Wade, with Ward the fastest in 34.65 seconds.

“It’s always nice to win at home, and Lestro is a horse we’ve been very excited about for the last six months,” Ward said. “We acquired him late last summer from an Irish rider named Mark Finnerty, who did a beautiful job producing the horse. We’ve slowly developed as a team over the last six months, and in Florida, I was very optimistic about his future. I think he’s rounding into form. He’s a big horse with a lot of range and blood, so that makes him quick while covering the ground at the same time.

“He’s done for this week, and he’ll do the Grand Prix next week,” he said. “We’ll keep him here in the United States to do Devon, Upperville and Lake Placid, three great, iconic events here. I think it’s the right place for his growth. I have two other horses, Jordan Molga M and High Star Hero, that’ll be leaving for Europe next week and building toward the World Championships.”

EGYPT’S Nayel Nassar placed second in 35.58 seconds on Igor Van De Wittemoere.

Following her victory in Thursday’s $32,000 Two-Phase, McKayla Langmeier placed third in 36.67 seconds on Isidore De Chalusse.

Earlier in the day, 26 entries competed in the $25,000 Old Salem Farm 1.45m Jumper Classic, with Ireland’s Jordan Coyle on Ballyv Blake winning.

As the last to go in the jump-off, Coyle took the class down to the wire, stopping the clock in 29.903 seconds for the win.

Samuel Hutton of Great Britain on Etincelle D’Ellipse finished second in 30.413 seconds with Mark Bluman of Colombia on Genial De B'Neville  third in 30.585 seconds.

Zabeel Champion won the $250,000 Iroquois Stake (2)

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May 10, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Riverdee Stable's Zabeel Champion (GB) came flying at the very end to win the $250,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes in a dramatic finish on Saturday, May 8 at the Iroquois Steeplechase.

Zabeel Champion, in blue silks and red cap, caught Swore in the last stride to win the Iroquois (Photo by TodMarks)Trained by Jack Fisher and ridden by Freddie Procter, Zabeel Champion won the G1, 3 mile Stakes by a neck over Swore, trained by Keri Brion and Ziggle Pops (GB), also trained by Fisher.

Iroquois was dominated by just a few big names.

Fisher and Riverdee teamed up to win the G1Stakes and the Novice Hurdle Stakes and also finish second in the Allowance Timber, while Gordon Elliot brought two over from Ireland to win for Ricky Hendriks' owners, Leamington and Del Rio, and those two will stay with Hendriks, who also won a Stakes on the card. 

In the Iroquois, Swore had led throughout the entire race and looked like a sure winner until Zabeel Champion came from out of nowhere.

"That was some run," said Sean Clancy, manager of Riverdee Stable. "He was eighth turning for home. Who ever wins the Iroquois when you're eighth turning for home."

"HE'S ALWAYS been a good horse," said Clancy. "He was a very good flat horse in England. He was third in the Iroquois two years ago, just 1 1/2 lengths behind Snap Decision when Snap set the track record. And his win in the Temple Gwathmey last month was so good."

Coutach, number 4, and Cyber Ninja take a jump early in the Novice Stakes (Photo by Tod Marks)"I kept running into traffic," said Procter. "I finally found an opening right at the end."

The Iroquois is the longest hurdle race, and the only 3 mile race for steeplechasers.

"He's an easy horse to manage because he's such a specialist," said Clancy. "He's not a summer horse. He wants a longer race and a bit of cut in the ground. We'll put him away until the fall and then maybe go to Foxfield and then the Grand National."

Swore was absolutely awesome yesterday while taking an incredibly tough beat on the line ," said Brion.. "He jumped for fun, led all the way to the final stride, and proved he belongs in the conversation as one of the best horses in the country. A year ago, he hadn’t even run in a jump race, which is mind blowing when you think about what he’s accomplished in such a short period of time. I am so incredibly proud of him."

Riverdee Stable's Rocket One, trained by Fisher and ridden by Jamie Bargary, won the $125,000, 2 1/4 mile  Marcellus Frost Novice Stakes, division two, by 1/2 length over Mr. Percy (Ire), trained by Neil Morris, and Predominate, trained by Todd McKenna.

"Rocket One traveled beautifully, jumped fantastic, and landed running over the last," said  Bargary.

"He had two years off," said Clancy of Rocket One, who hadn't run since 2024 before finishing second in April in the Daniel Van Clief Memorial Stakes. "Jack did a great job with him. He was very patient. We could have brought him back earlier, but he's a nice horse, and we wanted to give him time."

"He's a big, beautiful horse," said Clancy. "He was a $600,000 yearling. He has a lovely demeanor. You can put him anywhere. Maybe he'll go to Saratoga. I'll have to talk to Jack."

"This was as good a day of racing as we've ever seen," Clancy said. "Big crowds, big fields and very good horses. There were a lot of flat owners there, and it's nice to show off our sport this way. Iroquois management was great. They split the Novice and put a full $125,000 purse in both divisions."

Irish top trainer Gordon Elliott saddled Leamington Racing's Famous Figure, ridden by Ireland's champion jockey Jack Kennedy, to win the $60,000 Maiden Hurdle Sweepstakes by 6 1/4 lengths over McLovin,, trained by Kate Dalton, and Really Good, trained by Matthew Sims.

"We didn't do much of a gallop early on, and that played into my hand," said Kennedy. "It's a great opportunity to come over her, so I'm glad I'm based with Gordon."

"We've been coming over to the States for six or seven years now," said Elliott. "Now we have American owners sending us horses. Every time we come over we learn something. We don't use Lasix in Ireland, so I don't know a lot about it, but you have to use it here to be on equal footing."

"It's great to have American owners backing us." said Elliott, who also had a winner for Del Rio Racing, both owners with Hendriks.. "This horse is very quick, and he suits American racing. He'll stay here and go to Ricky Hendriks. I've done my job, now it's up to Ricky."

Hendriks saddled Del Rio Racing's Coutach (GB), ridden by Jake Coen to win the $125,000 Novice Stakes, first division, by a neck over Rampoldi Plan, trained by Leslie Young, and McTigue (Ire), trained by Cyril Murphy.

"He ran super," said Hendriks."I'm so delighted that Del Rio could win at home. Gordon brought him over last year for the Far Hills stakes, which he won, and then we bought him afterwards. He's a good jumper, and he's honest.We'll give him a bit of a break and take him to Saratoga."

"Last winter when I was in Ireland Gordon and I put our heads together along with the man who buys horses for him and said why don't we try my owners buying horses for you to race and then bring over here. It's working well, so I think we'll keep doing it."

Elliott then saddled Del Rio's Blue Waters (Ire), ridden by Kennedy, to win the $100,000 Filly and Mare Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over Timetoshine (Fr), trained by Mark Beecher, and Anoint, trained b Brion.

"The race went very quick early, but my mare got her feet under her," said Kennedy. "She was doing her best work at the finish."

Tom Garner saddled Butler Hall Racing's Boldog (Fr), ridden b Evan Dwan, to win the $45,000 Ratings Handicap by 5 lengths over King of Tsavo (GB), trained by Leslie Young, and Scoop the Pot,, trained by Kate Dalton.

"He relaxed and came home easily," said Dwan.

"Boldog hasn't been simple,"said Garner. "He's one of Evan's favorites. It's his first handicap win, so I'm happy."

Morris saddled Runnymoore Racing's Step Out (Ire), ridden by Graham Watters, to win the $25,000 Allowance Timber by a head over Riverdee's Potus, trained by Fisher, and Evie's Priince, trained by Morris.

"I thought we'd won a third race," said Clancy.

"He's a lovely horse," said Watters."He won at My Lady's Manor, so that set him up nicely for here. Neil moved all his horses to Aiken for the winter, so we had a lot of fun hunting there all winter."

Jessie Springsteen won the $32,000 Speed at Old Salem (2)

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May 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, NY. .--U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen on Naomi Van Het Keizershof won the $32,000 FEI 1.45m Time First Round speed class  on Saturday, May 9 at the first of two Old Salem Spring Horse Shows.

Jessie Springsteen on Naomi van het Keizershof(Photo by SEL Photography)Springsteen finished in 63.32 seconds, two seconds faster than second placed Brianne Goutal-Marteau on S&L Marlon VD Heffinck, who finished in 65.23,

Philip McGuane of Ireland on Donvier was the first of 28 entries to compete over the course set by Alan Wade.

McGuane was clean and set the time to beat of 66.20 seconds, a clean time that was wasn't beaten until Springsteen went.

Eleven of the 28 competitors went clean, with only eight seconds separating those 11 clean rounds.

“I think she’s just so naturally fast, especially in the air,” Springsteen. “She can really cut in on the turns like that. I was able to really stick to my plan to shave off time in those turns, and she just went so naturally quick around the course. She’s great. She’s really competitive, and she’s super fun to ride."

“SUNDAY, I’m doing Cayman in the Grand Prix,” she said. “He’s been feeling great, so I’m thrilled about that. Then next week, I’ll come back and do Naomi in these speed classes again, which I’m very excited about. I have a lot of horses here, so it’s been really fun to be back and bring them up again after Florida. They had a nice break leading into this event, and it’s been great to get going again in a ring like this.”

McGuane ultimately finished fourth place after both Steven Bluman of Israel and Brianne Goutal-Marteau (had fast, clean rounds.

Goutal-Marteau finished second in 65.23 seconds, and Bluman on Chice Lotti M placed third in 65.71 seconds.

Pieter de Brabandere of Belgium on Dothraki Warlord was fifth, cleanin 66.63, and Alessandra Volpi on Madjick was sixth, clean in 67.03.

McLain Ward is first and second in Old Salem Grand Prix (2)

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May 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

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.”

Laura Kraut leads Nations Cup team for Rome (2)

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May 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the riders selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team at the Nations Cup of Rome CSIO5* hosted at the Piazza di Siena in Rome, Italy, from May 27-31.

The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson, with horses to be confirmed the week of the event.

The following riders have been selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

Natalie Dean of Palo Alto, Calif.

Laura Kraut of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

Marilyn Little of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Callie Schott of Wellington, Fla.

Competition Information

Competition at the renowned Villa Borghese will begin on Thursday, May 28, with the opening day of CSIO5* competition.

The two-round Jumping Nations Cup CSIO5* will begin at 2:30 p.m. GMT, which is 8:30 a.m. Eastern, on Friday, May 29.

The Rolex Grand Prix of Rome CSIO5* will start at 12:30 p.m. GMT, which is 6:30 a.m. Easstern, on Sunday, May 31, to conclude the prestigious competition.

Joe Davies had three winners at Willowdale, two for Armata (2)

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May 12, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Joe Davies saddled three winners at Willowdale Steeplechase on Saturday, May 9, including two, The Ballybreen Fox (Ire) and De Nordener (Ire), for Armata Stables.

Bogey's Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, leads Huyana early in the Timber Stakes (Photo by Jim Graham)Davies also saddled Bogey's Image to win the featured Willowdale Timber Stakes.

"It was a good day," said Davies.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Ben Griswold, primary owner of Armata Stables. 

Armata Stables' The Ballybreen Fox, ridden by Teddy Davies, won the $15,000, 3 mile Maiden Timber by 3 lengths over Doesn't Sting (GB), trained by Jack Fisher, and Shining Marble (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson.

Armata's De Nordener,, ridden by Charlie Marshall, won the $15,000 Foxhunter's Chase Apprentice Rider Timber by 4 3/4 lengths over Old Style Humor (Ire), trained by Mark Beecher, and The Kid Rocks, trained by Meriweather Morris. 

"We've had The Ballybreen Fox a couple of years," said Griswold. "He came with that name, straight from County Tipperary.'

"We've had De Nordener a couple of years, too," said Griswold. "Charlie Marshall, who rode Mr. Fine Threads to win the Maryland Hunt Cup, found both of them for us."

"They probably won't run again this spring," said Griswold. "As for where they'll go next, the one race we all want to win is the Maryland Hunt Cup. That's a huge goal. The odds of winning that race are so small."

Armata Stables has won the Maryland Hunt Cup four times, including most recently this spring, 

"Armata Stables has been in business for 32 years, running in it every year,, so that's how often you have tor run in it to win," said Griswold.

BOGEY'S IMAGE, owned by Achaah O'Donovan and ridden by Teddy Davies, won the 3 1/2 mile Willowdale Steeplechase Timber Stakes by 13 3/4 lengths over Withoutmoreado (Ire), trained by Neilson, and Master Seville, trained by  Beecher.

Bogey''s Image led most of the way, opening up after the last fence to win comfortably.

Cyril Murphy saddled Irv Naylor's Ranger Thunderbolt, ridden by Elizabeth Scully, who led all the way to win the $20,000, 2 1/4 mile Rose Tree Cup Ratings Handicap by 2 lengths over Garrison Forest (Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Brie's Mission, trained by Neilson.

Young saddled Silverton Hill's Two Past Eight (GB), ridden by Luke Carberry, to win the $15,000 Apprentice Rider Hurdle by 2 1/2 lengths over King of the Kids, trained by Murphy, and Belfast Banter (Ire0, also trained by Murphy.

Todd McKenna saddled Devon Smith's Lewin's Gully (Ire), ridden by Paddy Barlow, to win the $15,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 1 1/2 lengths over Whiskeyinthejaro, trained by Beecher, and Mainstream Sellout, trained by Tom Garner.

McLain Ward and Alex Matz to compete at Devon (2)

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May 13, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--McLain Ward, a huge favorite among the enthusiastic Devon spectators, will compete at Devon again this year.

McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valckenborg (Photo by SEL Photography)Devon opens in just a week with Junior Weekend, and jumpers begin Tuesday, May 26.  

Another favorite, Alex Matz, will also return to compete in the jumper division.

Not only will Ward be competing at Devon, where he has won the Grand Prix an amazing 12 times, but his daughters Lauren and Lily will also be competing in Small and Medium Pony division.

One of Ward's mounts at Devon will be Lestro VD Valckenborg, who most recently won the Grand Prix at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows.

Lestro is a horse we’ve been very excited about for the last six months,” Ward said. “We acquired him late last summer from an Irish rider named Mark Finnerty, who did a beautiful job producing the horse. We’ve slowly developed as a team over the last six months, and in Florida, I was very optimistic about his future. I think he’s rounding into form. He’s a big horse with a lot of range and blood, so that makes him quick while covering the ground at the same time."

WARD will also have students competing at Devon.

Baylee McKeever, daughter of Ward's long time manager Lee McKeever, is expected to compete in the jumper division.

McKeever was Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper champion at Old Salem.

Local favorite Alex Matz of Coatesville, Pa., will also compete again.

Last year, Matz placed third in the Grand Prix, and his most emotional win was in in 2023 when he won the Jet Run Welcome Stake, the class named for the horse his father Michael had ridden to so many successes.

This year Matz is bringing Viva Pleasure PS and Clarimo.

Devon has added an exciting new competition this year, Carriage Eventing, to be held Monday evening, May 25.

In Carriage Eventing at Devon, 12 competitors will compete, driving through obstacles in both the Dixon Oval and the Wheeler Ring in an thrilling, timed event.

The $50,000 Arena Eventing, a huge spectator favorite, will be competed Sunday evening.

Devon opens, as usual, with Junior Weekend, featuring junior hunters and jumpers, equitation and pony breeding.

The Carriage Please Drive arrives mid-day at the Dixon Oval for final judging on Sunday, May 24.

Hunters compete Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with the featured International Hunter Derby at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 28.

Open jumpers begin with the $32,000 Jet Run Welcome Stake on Tuesday, May 26, followed by the $32,000 Main Line Challenge Speed Stake Wednesday, the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon Thursday, the $32,000 Devon Speed Derby Friday and the $182,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake Saturday,

All the jumper classes are in the evening, most beginning around 7 p.m.

Amateur owner hunter and jumpers compete Friday and Saturday and the final Sunday, May 31, features hunter breeding.

Devon will be live streamed on ClipMyHorse.

U.S. team for Langley 4* Nations Cup (2)

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May 14, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian to announced the riders selected to represent the U.S. Jumping team at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Langley CSIO4*, hosted at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, from May 26-31.

The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating, with horses to be confirmed the week of the event.

The following riders have been selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

Lucy Davis Kennedy of Venice, Calif.

Tali Dejong of Golden, Colo.

Hallie Grimes of Houston, Texas

Katherine Huffstutler of Austin, Texas

Brooke Kemper of Reddick, Fla.

Competition Information

Competition in Langley will begin on Wednesday, May 27, with the opening day of CSIO4* competition.

The $117,000 Grand Prix CSIO4* will start at 1:00 p.m. PT, which is 4:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday, May 28.

The two-round $75,000 FEI Jumping Nations Cup CSIO4* competition will begin at 11:00 a.m. PT, which is 2:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, May 31, to conclude the week.

Stella Wasserman won the $32,000 Two Phase at Old Salem (2)

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May 15, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, NY. .--Stella Wasserman on Myjorka won the $32,000 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase on week two at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows on Thursday, May 14.

Stella Wasserman on Myjorka (Photo by SEL Photography)Wasserman went second of 47 entries over the course set by Alan Wade and set an early time to beat of 26.58 seconds, that held onto the top of the leaderboard through the rest of the class to win.

First to go, Jessica Springsteen on Naomi Van Het Keizershof had set an early clean round score of 27.19 seconds to ultimately place second.

Charlotte Jacobs  on Cristiano Obolenskwas the only other rider to catch Springsteen’s time without a fault, placing second place behind Wasserman in 27.15 seconds.

“To be honest, I didn’t think our time would hold with so many others coming after us,” Wasserman said. “We had people like McLain Ward and Daniel Bluman, and Charlotte Jacobs was very fast today. It was such a strong field that I honestly thought someone was going to beat us, but I’m grateful it was our day.

“FOR THE gray mare that I won on, this is like her bread and butter,” she saidd. “She really excels in classes like this, so I knew I had a good chance as long as I stuck to my plan and executed well. My other horse is preparing for bigger things in the future, so we just wanted to use today as a warmup round. The mare I won on will jump again on Saturday, the other horse will jump tomorrow, and then we’ll go from there.”

Wasserman on her second horse, A Man After Midnight Z, was clean in phase one but didn't go in phase two to save the horse for Sunday's grand prix.

Sam Hutton of Great Britain on WKD Toronto was fourth, clean in 27.24, with McLain Ward on Le Louvre 5 fifth in 27.40 and Pieter de Brabandere of Belgium on Dothraki Warlord sixth in 28.11.