Tag Archives: McLain Ward

Competitions, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Wins $75,000 Big Ben Challenge to Close 2015 Royal Horse Show

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McLain Ward riding HH Azur. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – McLain Ward of the United States scored yet another victory in the $75,000 Big Ben Challenge, presented by Hudson’s Bay Company, on Saturday night, November 14, to close out international show jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

A total of 20 entries tried their luck over the track set by British course designer Richard Jeffery in front of a sold-out crowd in the Ricoh Coliseum. More forgiving than in previous nights’ competition, Jeffery laid a track that saw eight horse-rider combinations advance to the all-deciding jump-off.

When Ward entered the Ricoh Coliseum, Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts held the jump-off lead with a clear round in a time of 42.03 seconds riding H&M Legend of Love. Wasting no time around the short course, Ward guided HH Azur home in a time of 40.42 seconds to move to the top of the leaderboard. Fellow American Reed Kessler challenged Ward’s time with Cylana, but the clock told the final tale, with a time of 41.44 seconds placing her second between Ward and Philippaerts.

“Honestly, as a rider doing this my whole life, you never think a horse like this exists,” said Ward of HH Azur, who made a huge effort at the final fence to take the win. “Most horses would have fallen down at that last fence. The take-off was 15 feet away, I bet. It’s not that I was surprised she jumped it; I was just surprised how easy it was. The jump-off was exciting, which is great for the crowd.”

Ward enjoyed an exceptional week of competition at the Royal Horse Show®, winning a total of four international classes – two riding HH Azur and two with his newest mount, Carneyhaugh Manx – and was awarded the title of Leading International Rider. He and HH Azur, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui) owned by Double H Farm, also won Wednesday night’s $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto.

“The World Cup was the most difficult one we’ve seen all season, which I was excited about with this horse,” said Ward, 40, of Brewster, NY. “I really wanted to challenge her, and what a great way to end the year!”

Runner-up Kessler was thrilled with her 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare’s performance.

Reed Kessler riding Cylana
Reed Kessler riding Cylana

“She was fantastic,” said Kessler, 21, who is based in Germany. “I’m really lucky; I have a super experienced horse and she’s really brave and honest. She always wants to do her best, so in that respect I have it easy. They’ve been difficult courses all week by Richard; you need a horse that looks for the fence and is really brave.

“I love The Royal,” continued Kessler, who is competing at the Royal Horse Show® for the second time in her young career. “It’s a super show and has great atmosphere. They do their best for the horses and the riders here, and it’s always great to come to a show that is like that.”

With Kessler second and Philippaerts taking third, New York’s Georgina Bloomberg took fourth place. The first rider on course, Bloomberg posted a clear round in a time of 45.66 seconds riding Caleno 3. Nicola Philippaerts, twin brother to Olivier, had four faults in the jump-off to place fifth riding H&M Harley vd Bisschop. Jonathon Millar was the top Canadian, taking sixth place with a rail down and two time faults riding his father’s 2012 London Olympic Games mount, Star Power. Two-time Olympic team gold medalist Beezie Madden of the United States had eight faults in the jump-off, as did New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley riding Barnetta, to finish seventh and eighth, respectively.

The Leading Canadian Rider Award, presented by AMJ, went to Jonathon Millar. In an interesting twist, Martha Louise and Ariana, both owned by the Grange family, tied for the All-Canadian Cup, presented to the leading Canadian-owned horse. The award is presented by Susan Grange’s Lothlorien Farm of Cheltenham, ON. Grange and her rider, Conor Swail of Ireland, accepted the All-Canadian Cup.

Canine-EquineTo the delight of horse and dog lovers alike, the $15,000 Canine-Equine Challenge, presented by the Toronto Star, took center stage in Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Riders were paired with a ‘Superdog’, navigating the show jumping track and crossing the timers before their canine partner took off around a dog agility course. The crowd cheered for their favourites, as dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes raced up, over and through the obstacles. In the end, it was Ward and Carneyhaugh Manx, his new 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, that crossed the timers with the fastest clear round for the win.

Also during Saturday’s matinee performance, Liam Dumont Walker of Oakville, ON won the $5,000 MP Equine Junior/Amateur Jumper Stake. Riding Lilius, Dumont Walker topped a four horse jump-off to claim victory over Ashley MacDougall of Brampton, ON aboard Alaska K by more than four full seconds. Dumont Walker finished the week tied for Champion in the Junior/Amateur division with Miranda Travers-Cavill of Claremont, ON, who won the other two classes in the division riding Capriato.

While international show jumping competitors are heading back to their respective corners of the world, the next generation will take center stage in the Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday, November 15. Highlights include the Children’s Hunter and Junior Jumper divisions, as well as the $5,000 Royal Pony Jumper Final, presented by William Tilford and Marion Cunningham of Marbill Hill Farm in Bradford West Gwillimbury, ON.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Captures $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Toronto at Royal Horse Show

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McLain Ward and HH Azur. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – McLain Ward of the United States scored his third consecutive victory in the $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto on Wednesday, November 11, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Ward of Brewster, NY topped a two-horse jump-off to claim victory in the Royal Horse Show’s World Cup qualifier for a record seventh time. After winning at The Royal in 2013 and 2014, Ward made it three in a row, taking the $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto in front of a packed house in the Ricoh Coliseum.

“My father competed at The Royal for a number of years and now; for my daughter to come here and be a part of this, it’s very special,” said Ward, 40, whose nine-month-old daughter Lilly was in the audience. “I love it here.”

A starting field of 22 entries attempted the tough track set by British course designer Richard Jeffery. More than half-way through the order, back-to-back clear rounds were delivered by Ireland’s Dermott Lennon aboard Loughview Lou Lou for owner Judith Sossick immediately followed by Ward riding HH Azur for Double H Farm.

Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou returned first over the shorten jump-off course, but clipped two rails for eight faults in a time of 42.04 seconds. With the door left wide open, Ward opted for a conservative clear, picking up one time fault in the process to finish in 47.58 seconds.

Despite setting a tough track that he described as “big” with no verticals set lower than 1.60m, course designer Jeffery was pleased with the outcome.

“Every fence came down at least once and I was happy with the result,” he said. “I wanted it to be a real World Cup class, and I built for that. McLain showed us tonight with that horse what a future the sport has.”

Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou
Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou

Lennon, 46, settled for second with Loughview Lou Lou, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare.

“The horse traveled well and jumped well tonight, so I am happy,” said the 2002 World Champion about the mare that shipped from Europe to Toronto to compete at the Royal Horse Show. “It was a difficult course for her and she gave a lot in the first round. She’s not the easiest ride, but she’s very competitive and always wants to try.”

Three mares dominated the top spots with Roberto Teran of Colombia posting the fastest four-fault effort in the first round riding Woklahoma to finish third for owners ARK Partners, LLC.

“Toronto is like my second hometown,” said Teran, 38, who is based in Burlington, ON during the summer season. “I always want to come here because I think it is super special. Today was a little unlucky, but I am happy with the result. Looking back, I would have pulled a little harder for that vertical and been in the jump-off!”

Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium rode H&M Forever D Arco Ter Linden to fourth place for owners Frans Lens and proud father Ludo Philippaerts while Beezie Madden and Abigail Wexner’s Breitling LS rounded out the top five for the United States.

Ward also won the $15,000 McKee International Jumper Challenge earlier on Wednesday riding Carneyhaugh Manx, but the horse on his mind at the end of the day was HH Azur, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui).

“It’s a bit of a dream,” said Ward, who won back-to-back Olympic team gold medals in 2004 and 2008. “I would say she’s the horse of a lifetime if I hadn’t had Sapphire. To get a second one like this is pretty incredible, and I hope I do her justice and manage her well. Every time the horse goes in the ring she’s better, higher, faster. The only time she has a fence down is if I have a terrible error.”

Ward explained that when he began riding HH Azur this winter, he quickly realized that she could be his mount for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“We knew after Florida that she was everything we thought she was, and she’s only gotten better this summer,” he said. “Everything she does now will be working backwards from Rio.”

Wednesday evening’s event marked the inclusion of the Royal Horse Show as one of only four Canadian events to be selected for the newly-formed Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. The class offered valuable points towards qualifying for the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final to be held from March 23 to 28 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Charlie Johnstone, CEO of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, acknowledged what a privilege it is for the Royal Horse Show to be part of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League noting, “To host the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto added to our credibility and stature in the industry. The World Cup is such an iconic event.

“We are honoured to have these riders put on such a great show for us here tonight,” he continued. “What has surprised me the most is the emotional connection that people have with The Royal. The commitment to continue that really is something special.”

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

McLain Ward and HH Azur Win in Toronto

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McLain Ward (USA) and HH Azur, winners of the $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier in Toronto (CAN), were presented with a Longines watch by Ian Charbonneau, Longines brand manager, Canada. (FEI/Peter Llewellyn)

Toronto, Ontario (CAN), 12 November 2015 – A heated, head-to-head battle between two experienced, international riders treated the spectators at the CSI4* Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto to the highest level of show jumping competition, but it was ultimately McLain Ward (USA) who claimed the victory of the $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier aboard HH Azur.

Sitting in the enviable position of going second in the jump off, Ward strategised a win that left the rails up, albeit with one time fault, after he had the opportunity to see Dermott Lennon (IRL) and 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Loughview Lou-Lou (Limmerick x Jack of Diamonds) drop two rails in the final round that recorded a time of 42.04 seconds. This allowed Ward to utilise the scope of his 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui) to leave all the rails standing and with a time of 47.58 seconds.

“The course was big and challenging, but I was excited about that,” Ward said. “It suited my mare. She’s a spectacular talent. Obviously, when I saw Dermott going [directly before in Round 1], I could see what could and needed to be done.”

The course, designed by Richard Jeffrey (GBR), was over 13 obstacles with 16 jumping attempts and demanded the precision of both horse and rider at every step. The internationally acclaimed designer first built at The Royal in 1994 but had yet to return since 2001.

“I was very pleased with the course,” Jeffrey said. “I wouldn’t do anything different. I built it as a World Cup qualifier. It’s quite a nice size ring here, and really, if I had to do it again, for once I wouldn’t do anything different.”

King of The Royal

Ward has a long history of success at The Royal, earning the unofficial title as its king. Now with seven World Cup qualifier wins at the historic show, Ward had another successful trip across the border also winning a 1.40-meter grand prix aboard Carneyhaugh Manx (Ard VDL Douglas x Hampton Clover) earlier in the day.

“The Royal is a second home for me,” Ward said. “My daughter and wife are here. My father [Barney Ward] competed here for a number of years, and now for my daughter to come and be part of this, it’s very special and a bit emotional.

“I started coming here in my early years with Tim Grubb and Mark Leone, who are dear friends. I love it here, I love the atmosphere, I love the people we see. I remember asking years ago, if I won four times, if I get a lifetime invitation, especially if my performance goes down. I hope at seven, I can be grandfathered in.”

The iconic horse show is in its 93rd year, and although it has hosted World Cup qualifiers in the past, it is just as honored to be a part of the newly launched Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League.

“It’s a play on the history and heritage of The Royal with the new partnership,” said Charlie Johnston, CEO of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “It’s fabulous for this show to put on the ‘Best in Show’ in the ring for audience. To have these exceptional riders here at The Royal really is consistent with our mandate to deliver the number 1 horse show in North America and to continue to strive toward that. We’re honored to partner with Longines and the FEI for this year and for many years to come.”

A second Sapphire

As the only horse in the field to leave all the rails standing after two technical rounds, HH Azur has undoubtedly earned Ward’s praise.

“It’s a bit of a dream,” Ward said. “She’s a horse of a lifetime if I hadn’t had Sapphire, but to get a second one like this is pretty incredible. I hope I do her justice and manage her well.

“It’s kind of an amazing story. I probably missed the horse a few different ways and should never have ended up with her, and somehow she ended up with me anyway. Two very special people in my life own her, Mr. [Hunter] Harrison and Francois Mathy, who are both real father figures to me. And the horse is something unreal. Every time the horse goes in the ring, it’s better, it’s higher, it’s faster – she is incredible. The only time she has a fence down is if I have a terrible error.”

The mare also entered the ring feeling fresh after seeing the hitch horses in the warm-up arena, according to Ward. He also noted that although she jumps big, the most important aspect to controlling her ride is to manage her large stride, particularly indoors.

“We knew after Florida [circuit earlier in the year] that she was everything we thought she was, and she’s only gotten better through Calgary this summer,” Ward said. “For sure, we’ve already started thinking about Rio [Olympics] in the middle of the summer. She’ll jump one more class here on Saturday and then have a good rest, and everything she does starting in the spring will be working backwards from Rio.”

World Cup quality

An international start list of past Olympians and young, up-and-coming talent had difficulties at a variety of the course’s presented questions, but Jeffrey did not doubt that some of the six riders with four faults would go clear given another chance.

“A few of those four-fault rounds could have easily gone clean,” Jeffrey said. “But I didn’t expect more than three or four clean rounds. That’s what I wanted, and basically for once, it worked out that way.”

Rideability played a major role in Jeffrey’s design, with a focus on genuine height and width throughout the course and without an unduly tight time allowed.

“The two oxers on a forward stride then quickly to a plank on flat cups demonstrates the type of course it was,” Jeffrey said. “It meant being able to lengthen and shorten the horse while keeping the horse balanced.”

“I didn’t really have a strategy,” said Lennon, the only rider to travel directly from Europe. “I just came, and the horses traveled well. They jumped good tonight. It was a difficult course for her in the first round so I’m happy.”

Lennon has ridden the mare for four seasons now, getting her at the end of her nine-year-old year and after she came back from an early injury.

“She’s very competitive, she’s not the easiest to ride, and she’s a bit temperamental,” he said. “She came up with a new one this week. She always for the last three years that I’ve ridden her hung her tongue out the right-hand side. This week, she’s holding it in the back of her month. It’s something to work out. She always wants to try and she’s a nice mare.”

Roberto Teran (COL) and 12-year-old, Dutch Warmblood mare Woklahoma (Sheraton x Calvados) rode to the fastest, four-fault score in the class.

“Toronto is like my second hometown,” Teran said. “And I always want to come here; I think it’s super special. Last year, I made a big mistake in the jump off. And I think today was a little unlucky, but I’m really happy with the result.”

Full results: http://bit.ly/1OG9EDy.

Facts and Figures:

In the first round, two horses went clear, six had 4 faults, four had 8, one had 10, four had 12, three had 16, and two retired.

The course designer was Richard Jeffrey (GBR).

The first round was contested over 13 obstacles with 16 jumping efforts. The jump-off round had seven obstacles with eight efforts. The maximum height was set at 1.60 metres.

Six nations were represented in the class: Belgium (three riders), Canada (six riders), Columbia (two riders), Ireland (two riders), New Zealand (one rider) and USA (eight riders).

Quotes:

Charlie Johnston, CEO of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (CAN): “It’s vitally important when you have the history and heritage that we have at The Royal going into our 93rd year here; it’s such an iconic event, to have the Longines FEI World Cup™ qualifier. It adds to the credibility of the event, adds to our stature in the industry, and we’re honoured to have you guys put on such a good show for us tonight.”

Richard Jeffrey (GBR): “I haven’t done indoors for three years, and I’m trying to cut back now that I’m older. The only one that I would do if I were invited back would be to come back to Toronto. I haven’t been back here since the new arena was done, and I have many friends here so I was very pleased to be asked back.”

McLain Ward (USA): “I always say this is not an individual sport, by any means, and I have a great team behind me. Everybody’s proud to wear Longines. I have very many deserving people who make it happen for me.”

Roberto Teran (COL): “[Woklahoma] is usually the fastest four faulter in the first round, and looking back, I would have held a little harder for that vertical to have gotten into the jump off.”

About The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair ran November 6-15, 2015 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto: www.royalfair.org.

Official fan site – www.feiworldcup.com/NAL

The FEI has developed an official fan microsite for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, enabling fans to find all the latest information for this brand new series under one digital umbrella.

Fans can keep close tabs on the athletes competing in this exciting series as they do their utmost to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 23-26 March 2016.

Tickets can be purchased through the fan site, with event-specific information uploaded regularly by the organisers of the events in this series for fan enjoyment.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

A total of 14 athletes from the new North American League will qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico will qualify for the Final, alongside winners of the 13 other leagues from around the world.

The North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Final.

The new league was launched by Beezie Madden, the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time, American Gold Cup winner and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Jessica Springsteen, and Hannah Selleck, team and individual gold medalist at young rider level and one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars. Full launch release here: https://goo.gl/kCIsyW.

Share images, video, experiences using hashtag #FEIWorldCupNAL.

By Esther Hahn

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Central Park Horse Show, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Stage Is Set for Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping Championship at Rolex Central Park Horse Show

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Georgina Bloomberg at the 2014 Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Photo ©Rolex/Kit Houghton.

Canadian Pacific Railway and Rolex sponsor the two-round competition where McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Georgina Bloomberg, Todd Minikus, and Conor Swail lead the list of top riders vying for the U.S. Open Title

New York, NY – From Olympians to up and coming talent, the Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping competition will highlight the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, running Sept. 23-27 in the heart of New York City’s Central Park. Founded in 2014, the second-annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show is dedicated to attracting the best in equestrian sport to compete at a once in a lifetime location.

U.S. Open Jumper events at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will welcome the world’s best to contest two rounds of competition over courses set by international designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. The $40,000 FEI Speed Class, presented by Canadian Pacific Railway, kicks off the schedule with an opening speed round on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 8 PM.

Faults from Thursday will be converted to points and carry over to the U.S. Open $212,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:00 PM. Riders will pilot the same horse in both rounds, and the highest ranked rider will not only be crowned the inaugural U.S. Open winner, but receive an exciting bonus. While cashing in on their share of the $212,000 purse, the winning rider will be presented with an additional $25,000 for the U.S. Open honor.

Hometown girl and accomplished international rider Georgina Bloomberg took top call in the 2014 Central Park Grand Prix and will return to her native city to defend her title this year in hopes of being crowned the first U.S. Open Jumper Champion. The world will be able to watch her efforts as the U.S. Open CSI 3* Grand Prix is scheduled to air on NBC Sports Network during prime time from 9-10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 27.

“Winning last year’s Rolex Central Park Grand Prix in front of a New York City crowd was one of the highlights of my career,” said Bloomberg. “New York is my home and to be able to compete in this city is an experience like no other. I am proud to see show jumping return to New York and I can’t wait to showcase the sport that I have dedicated my life to in the heart of Central Park again this year.”

In addition to Bloomberg, the prestige of show jumping in Central Park has attracted a star-studded cast of high-performance riders all vying for the U.S. Open title, including the likes of Kent Farrington, Todd Minikus, Conor Swail and McLain Ward, to name a few.

“New York City’s Central Park is a unique host and presents a change from the typical venue for both us as riders, but also our horses. However, it’s worth the effort to have a show in the center of the city and highlight the sport with many top riders,” said Ward, who most recently took home an individual gold medal for the USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Show jumping was last seen in New York City’s Central Park in 1981 and at Madison Square Garden in 2001, but the Rolex Central Park Horse Show found a home at Wollman Rink last year. “We all miss what showing at the Garden was, and this is bringing that back in a similar way,” added Ward.

“I was both overwhelmed and encouraged by the positive response from participants, spectators and media outlets to last year’s event in Central Park,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group, LLC (IEG). “There is no better place to showcase horse sport through the U.S. Open than in the iconic New York City. I have confidence that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show’s U.S. Open will become one of the premiere events on the show jumping calendar.”

Tickets can now be purchased at http://bit.ly/1AV2imv. To request table information in the Hospitality Tent, please e-mail Anne Caroline Valtin at vip@centralparkhorseshow.com or call 561-784-1133.

Additional information can be found at www.coth.com and www.centralparkhorseshow.com.

Media Contact:
Shin-Jung Hong
Nicholas & Lence Communications
ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Tel: 212.938.0005

Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Spruce Meadows

Kent Farrington and McLain Ward Win on Opening Day at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament

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Kent Farrington of USA riding Uceko during the AKITA Drilling Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB, Canada – September 9, 2015 – The 2015 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament CSIO 5* got underway on Wednesday celebrating 40 years of outstanding competition at one of the world’s most iconic venues. Top international horses and riders convened for opening day, which featured wins for Kent Farrington (USA) and Uceko in the $85,000 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.60m and McLain Ward (USA) aboard HH Carlos Z in the $35,000 TELUS Cup 1.50m.

Watch highlights from Wednesday’s competition at the Masters.

The ‘Masters’ Tournament features five days of competition through Sunday, September 13, with highlights including Saturday’s $300,000 BMO Nations’ Cup and Sunday’s $1.5 Million CP International, presented by Rolex. One of the most prestigious grand prix events in the world, the CP International is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, where Scott Brash (GBR) will attempt to become the first rider to ever take the Grand Slam title. Brash already made history by winning two consecutive legs of the challenge with victories at CHI Geneva in December followed by a second victory at CHIO Aachen a few months later. An unprecedented €1 million in bonus money is on offer to any rider who can win all three grand prix events in succession.

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios is the course designer in Spruce Meadows’ famed International Ring for this week’s tournament. Palacios began competition on Wednesday with two fantastic events highlighted by a win for Kent Farrington and RCG Farm’s Uceko in the $85,000 AKITA Drilling Cup. Thirty-seven entries jumped in round one, with a star studded jump-off of 17 to follow and seven double clear rounds.

In the jump-off, Richard Spooner (USA) and Show Jumping Syndication Intl.’s Cristallo set the early pace in 39.81 seconds to eventually finish fourth. Kevin Staut (FRA) upped the pace with his round in 39.75 seconds to take home third place honors aboard Haras des Coudrettes’ Elky van het Indihof HDC. Farrington and Uceko soon stole the lead in an impressive 38.62 seconds to hold on for the win. Last to go, Roger Yves Bost (FRA) jumped into second place with a time of 38.99 seconds aboard Quod’Coeur de la Loge, owned by Equiblue et Bosty Jump.

Following his win, Farrington spoke of the exciting atmosphere and fantastic conditions starting off this year’s event.

“The level of competition here is always very high, particularly at the Masters,” Farrington stated. “These are the best riders in the world using their best horses, so there is no easy victory here. The conditions are fantastic. The field looks great and it is jumping great. That is nothing new here at Spruce Meadows. I think this is one of the best jumping fields in the world and today was as good as ever. My horse loves it here too, so that works out well for me. I always try to make a good schedule for him where he gets to compete a lot at Spruce Meadows.”

A 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Celano x Koriander), Uceko is very experienced and Farrington knows that the spacious field of the International Ring is one of his favorite venues.

“The course today was not super technical,” Farrington said of the competition. “I think it was bigger fences, but a simpler course to get everybody going here the first day. There were a lot of horses in the jump-off, so you knew that it was going to be very fast. Richard Spooner and Bosty – those are some of the fastest riders anyplace, so the jump-off was quite fast. My horse is also typically very fast on a field, so I think if you looked at those top four horses, you know that it was going to be very competitive today.”

Speaking of where he made the time, Farrington added, “I think it was probably throughout the whole course, not necessarily in one line. I think the top few horses all did the same number of strides in the last line. I was very fast to the double across the middle of the ring, and Uceko is very experienced here, so I can turn quite short to the fences. I think I turned really short back on the skinny vertical and also to the second fence.”

After winning the CSIO 5* grand prix at the Dublin Horse Show in August, Farrington is already pre-qualified for Sunday’s $1.5 Million CP International Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, but plans to compete his other top mount, Voyeur. The CP International is one of the only major events that Farrington has yet to win in his inspiring career, and the rider admits that it is definitely on his To-Do list.

“I think every rider in the world would love to win that competition here. The Masters in Calgary is very special. It is the biggest prize money that we jump for all year and the courses are always massive, so I think that is something that we would all like to have on our resume,” Farrington concluded.

Ward Wins on Opening Day

The $35,000 TELUS Cup 1.50m was the first competition held on Wednesday to kick things off at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. Course designer Leopoldo Palacios saw 53 starters, with 19 clear rounds and 17 entries that chose to return for the jump-off. McLain Ward (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z were the winners in a speedy time of 39.46 seconds over Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5, who finished second in a time of 39.77.

Hardin Towell (USA) placed third aboard Jennifer Gates’ Lucifer V in 40.70 seconds, and Beezie Madden earned fourth place honors with a time of 40.96 riding Abigail Wexner’s Breitling LS.

McLain Ward of USA riding HH Carlos Z in the TELUS Cup
McLain Ward of USA riding HH Carlos Z in the TELUS Cup

HH Carlos Z has had an incredible season, including three CSI 5* wins during this year’s Summer Series at Spruce Meadows. The 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z x Voltaire) then had a short break before returning to win a $100,000 Grand Prix in Saugerties, New York, at the beginning of August. He competed once more last week before making the trip back to Calgary.

“Carlos is always a little winning machine. I was really pleased with him; he handled it well,” Ward said of his opening victory. “He had a nice rest in August and feels fresh and ready to go. He loves this ring. He is a little, careful horse and you would think this ring would intimidate him, but he seems to really like it.”

To those who know Ward well, some may have noticed that the rider was not in his usual attire Wednesday. Ward flew to Calgary from Newark, New Jersey, and his luggage had yet to arrive in the morning. Thanks to Rodrigo Pessoa (BEL) and Ben Asselin (CAN), the rider was able to piece together an outfit for the day.

“The clothing was a bit of a problem,” Ward noted. “I am a little funny about my clothes; they are all pretty tailored. I was stressing a little bit this morning, but luckily a few riders lent me their wardrobes and I had my own boots, so everything went fine.”

It went more than just fine as HH Carlos Z sped through the course fault-free for the win. The little horse is always a professional, and he was game no matter what his rider was wearing.

Commenting on his jump-off round, Ward detailed, “I didn’t see Eric, but I know what he can do with that horse and I knew that he went into the lead. Carlos is just an incredibly fast horse and very careful. I thought jumps one, two, three and four were very fast. I actually made a bit of a mistake to jump number five in the jump-off. I added up late and it was not the right choice, but Carlos helped me out and the turn showed up good. Those rollbacks are always a little bit to chance on grass; the horses slip sometimes, but the ground held nicely for him. It was by a sliver, but we’ll take it.”

As the ‘Masters’ Tournament continues, Ward has his sights set on the $1.5 Million CP International Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, where he plants to compete young mount HH Azur. Ward is pre-qualified thanks to winning the individual gold medal in July’s Pan American Games and feels good heading into the weekend.

“I am always confident in my horses and my team behind me,” he stated. “We are aiming HH Azur to the grand prix. She had a nice schooling round today with some time faults, but she felt great. She will do one more competition before the big event. I have the luxury of being pre-qualified, which is a huge bonus. I believe she can win, but at the same time she is a nine-year-old horse and you have to have good perspective about that.”

The ‘Masters’ Tournament continues on Thursday featuring the $35,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m followed by the $126,000 CANA Cup 1.60m. For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Pan American Games, Show Jumping

Gold for Ward, Bronze for Hough at 2015 Pan American Games

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McLain Ward and Rothchild (StockImageServices.com)

Caledon, Ont. – The final medals in equestrian competition at the 2015 Pan American Games were decided in thrilling fashion this afternoon at the Caledon Equestrian Park. Both Individual Jumping Gold and Bronze were decided by jump-offs after two rounds of intense competition over the big and impressive Michel Vaillancourt-designed tracks. McLain Ward jumped three clear rounds, including in the jump-off against Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez to win Individual Gold. Lauren Hough captured Individual Bronze as the only clear round in the field of five in the jump-off for Bronze.

Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild looked determined from the start, putting in one of only three clear rounds in Round A and one of only two clear rounds in Round B. Going first in the jump-off for Gold, Rodriguez had a rail down at 4B meaning that Ward needed to go clear inside the time allowed to secure Gold – he did just that. This is the first Individual medal for Ward, who has earned multiple Team medals at Olympic, Pan American, and World Equestrian Games.

“I waited a long time [for this medal]. I have had great team experiences and this is certainly something I have dreamed about and worked towards,” said Ward. Rothchild was purchased by Ward’s late father, Barney Ward, and has proved a terrific partner for Ward. The pair was part of the Team Bronze effort at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the Team Bronze effort here at the Pan American Games earlier in the week. “It is a very special thing. I rode this horse last year at the [World Equestrian Games] and he is the last horse that I am riding that my father picked out. A bit like my father, [Rothchild] defies the odds. He doesn’t really look or go like he should be a show jumper, and yet he’s won a couple million dollars, a couple big Grand Prix, and now at the Pan American Games. He’s a really competitive horse, his heart is as big as they come, and he gives you everything he has.”

Hough (Wellington, Fla.) and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala had the first element of the double-combination down in Round A, a fence that proved troubling for many combinations. The young mare jumped flawlessly in Round B and headed to the jump-off as the fourth to go. With the three combinations ahead of the pair having at least one rail down, the door was left open for Hough and Ohlala who entered the arena and displayed their signature speed and agility to cross the timers clear and inside the time. The final combination in the jump-off also pulled a rail, leaving Hough and Ohlala as the only pair to post a clear round and thus securing Bronze.

“I am thrilled – we worked really hard for this medal. It was a great week and my horse performed beautifully. I am really happy to be going home with [an individual] medal,” said Hough. “I went as quickly as I felt comfortable [in the jump-off] without taking too much risk and it worked out my way. She was a true champion.”

Also competing for the U.S. in the Individual Final, Georgina Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) and Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s Lilli had the very last rail down on course in Round A to head into Round B as one of eight combinations on four faults. An unfortunate rider error heading into the triple combination resulted in downed rails at both the A and B elements, giving the combination an eleventh-place finish, a placing that tied with four other combinations.

“Lilli went so well in the first round today. I think she really left it all out there. I was hoping for a better finish in the second round, but she was a bit tired and I was a little bit nervous. I couldn’t have asked her for more,” said an enthused Bloomberg. Riding on her first championship team, Bloomberg was ecstatic about her experience, having earned a Team Bronze earlier in the week. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and am just really happy to be a part of this team. It was so cool; it made me so happy to be here and experience this with these people. The whole U.S. Equestrian Team has been incredible and I am so proud of both McLain and Lauren.”

Complete Results

Behind the Scenes with the U.S. Teams: USEF Sport Director Will Connell’s Blog

From the USEF Communications Department

Competitions, Pan American Games, Show Jumping

Canada Claims Team Jumping Gold; America’s Ward Takes Individual Pan-Am Title

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(L to R) silver medallist Andres Rodriguez (VEN), gold medallist McLain Ward (USA) and bronze medallist Lauren Hough (USA). (FEI/StockImageServices.com)

Lausanne (SUI), 25 July 2015 – In a series of competitions that could hardly have been choreographed to better effect, Canada claimed the team title while America’s McLain Ward clinched individual gold in Jumping at the Pan-American Games 2015 in Caledon Park, Toronto, Canada.

Thursday’s team tussle was an intriguing battle that proved unpredictable to the end when Argentina filled silver medal spot ahead of the USA in bronze. And it continued in the same vein today when the individual medals were decided in a two-way jump-off for gold and silver as well as a five-way race for the bronze. Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez went head-to-head with Ward, and although he had to settle for silver his result reflected the consistent theme of the week. The quality of the sport in the region has improved beyond recognition in recent years, and the normally dominant sides had to fight very hard indeed to claim their fair share of the spoils.

Olympic qualification was also hanging in the balance since the action began last Tuesday, and it is Canada and Argentina that have claimed the two team berths for Rio 2016 while two individual qualifying spots have been earned by both Colombia and Venezuela, and one each by Uruguay and Peru.

Gentle introduction

Course designer, Canada’s Michel Vaillancourt, gave them a gentle introduction on Tuesday when 30 of the 50 starters jumped clear. However, it was a very different matter two days later in the team competition, when just four of the 40 team members managed to return a zero score in the first round.

A total of 10 nations – Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela – fielded teams, and it was an unpredictable thriller to the very end. The host country was expected to breeze into one of the Olympic qualifying spots, but at the halfway stage it was Colombia and Argentina who looked set on the road to Rio while Canada was sharing third place with Brazil, Chile lay fifth and the hotly-tipped Americans were lying sixth.

Perfect start

Clears from Daniel Bluman (Conconcreto Sancha LS) and Roberto Teran Tafur (Woklahoma) meant that the single time fault collected by Fernando Cardenas (Quincy Car) was all the Colombians had to count going into the second round. The Argentinians were next in line with two, but Canada carried six, hampered by a seven-fault discard score from Tiffany Foster who had a stop with Tripple X. This meant they had to include the single error from Eric Lamaze (Coco Bongo) and the single time faults of pathfinder Yann Candele (Showgirl) and anchorman Ian Millar (Dixson). But the Canadians and Americans both rallied brilliantly second time out, the host country adding just one more time fault to their tally while all four US riders were foot-perfect.

So when Argentina’s Ramiro Quintana (Whitney), Matias Albarracin (Cannavaro), Luis Pedro Biraben (Abunola) and Jose Larocca Jr (Cornet du Lys) added six to their scoreline, the Canadians sneaked ahead of them by a single penalty point to clinch the gold because the Colombians had disappeared from the reckoning with 14 on their score-sheet second time out. And eight faults for Brazil allowed the USA overtake them for the bronze.

Wanted this so badly

Legendary Canadian team member, Ian Millar, said, “We wanted this so badly for our team and our country!” He acknowledged what a close finish it was, only a single time fault pinning Argentina into silver medal spot. “The last horse (from Argentina) had to have a fault of some kind… and it came down to a fraction of the second in the end,” he admitted.

They may have been nudged out of gold medal spot, but Argentina’s Ramiro Quintana praised the last-to-go run from Jose Larocca Jr – “We needed a clear round and he brought it home,” he said. Larocca commented, “It’s huge for Argentina; it’s been many years since we have had a medal at a Championship like this, so it’s very important, very encouraging to the young riders in our country.”

Right to the wire

Today’s individual final was another nail-biter that went right to the wire, and Larocca was one of just three, from a starting field of 35, who returned a zero score in the first round to leave him on level-pegging with America’s McLain Ward and Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez. But a mistake in the second round saw the Argentinian battle it out in the five-way jump-off for bronze that took place between all the four-fault riders before the final contest for silver and gold began.

And Larocca was pushed off the medal podium when America’s Lauren Hough added nothing to her first-round error with Ohlala to take the bronze. “I had to fight hard for it!” Hough said after producing the only clear of this jump-off. “For my horse this was her first Championships but she’s done events like Aachen and she seems to get better as the week progresses. I would say the fault I had in the first round, I was too polite at the double planks, but I had a nice position in the jump-off, the three ahead of me had rails down but the one behind was a quick horse so I took a bit of a risk,” she explained.

Jump-Off for gold

Venezuela’s Rodriguez led the way in the jump-off for gold, and left the door open when racing home with Darlon van Groenhove in the fast time of 39.45 seconds, but leaving one element of the double on the floor. “I was a bit too careful at the first part and had the back part of it. I was very fast because I knew McLain was coming behind, so I risked a bit,” he explained. Ward kept a cool head to return a clear in 42.89 to take the individual title, admitting that, as so often happens, luck played a part in the end result. “My game plan was to ride the first five fences fast to try to win it two ways – if I had a fence down I would still be fast enough – and I was lucky at the last (fence); I gave that a bit of a rattle. But I’ve never won a big one without a little bit of good fortune!” said the 39-year-old three-time Olympian.

Talking about his horse, Rothchild, he pointed out, “I knew the courses would get bigger as the week went on and that would suit him; he’s a blood horse and a stamina test suits him, but today I knew I couldn’t make a mistake – it was a tough day’s work!” he said.

Result:

Teams: GOLD – Canada 7 faults: Showgirl (Yann Candele) 1/1, Tripple X (Tiffany Foster) 7/0, Coco Bongo (Eric Lamaze) 4/0, Dixson (Ian Millar) 1/5; SILVER – Argentina 8 faults: Whitney (Ramiro Quitana) 5/0, Cannavaro 9 (Matias Albarracin) 1/6, Abunola (Luis Pedro Biraben) 0/5, Cornet du Lys (Jose Larocca) Jr 1/1; BRONZE – USA 12 faults: Rothchild (McLain Ward) 4/0, Lilli (Georgina Bloomberg) 4/0, Ohlala (Lauren Hough) 4/0, Gazelle (Kent Farrington) 5/0.

Individual: GOLD – Rothchild (McLain Ward) USA 0/0/0 42.89; SILVER – Darlon van Groenhove (Andres Rodriguez) 0/0/4 39.45; BRONZE – Ohlala (Lauren Hough) USA 4/0/0 42.15.

Facts and Figures:

A total of 10 nations lined out for the Pan-American Games 2015 team Jumping title.

Only 4 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the first round of the team competition.

The time-allowed of 83 seconds proved difficult to get in the first round when 28 of the 40 starters picked up time faults.

In round two of the team competition, 24 riders collected time faults.

Course designer was Canada’s Michal Vaillancourt who was individual silver medallist at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

The top-35 according to cumulative penalties over the first and second competitions qualified for today’s individual final. Nations with four riders in the top 35 sent forward their three best-placed combinations.

America’s McLain Ward won individual gold with Rothchild. He was on the winning US team at the previous Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011 where he also finished individually fourth.

The list of teams so far qualified in Jumping for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games now includes, Brazil (automatic qualification), France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and USA (placings at Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy), Canada and Argentina (Pan-American Games 2015 in Toronto, Canada), and Qatar (best ranked team from Group F).

Countries can also qualify “composite” teams. For full details of Olympic EVENTING qualification opportunities, and list of teams, check out this link.

The next major Olympic qualification opportunity is at the forthcoming FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany, 11-23 August where three places are on offer to the best ranked teams from Groups A and/or B.

Quotes:

Individual gold medallist McLain Ward USA, talking about the standard of the sport at the 2015 Pan-American Games – “The level has gotten so much better in the Americas; you could see that in the Nations Cup. The US horses jumped very well but we had a few mistakes – a bit of four-fault-itis – it was one day, one shot, and to be honest if we were to do it again we probably wouldn’t do it any differently. I went to two Olympic Games before I did my first Pan-Ams. I went to Guadalajara (2011) and won team gold and finished individually fourth. But the specs have been raised (over the last four years) and there were quite a few top riders who compete in 5-Stars here this week.”

Individual silver medallist Andres Rodriguez VEN – “We all knew coming in not to expect a hard course on the first day. But the job Michel Villaincourt has done here has been amazing; the feedback he is getting from the riders is brilliant! It was an easy course on day one, but the Nations Cup was unbelievable – no double-clears; it was tough but smart. Today we knew the Championship would end with a big first round, bigger than the last Pan-Ams, and there were only two double-clears at the end.”

Individual bronze medallist Lauren Hough USA – “This is my third Pan-Ams and I am extremely proud and impressed by the level of these Championships. Today was equivalent to any Grand Prix in the world!”

Find out more about the Pan-American Games 2015 here and check out the programme of events here. Results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:
At Toronto:
Jean Llewellyn
Press Officer
Jean.Llewellyn@Toronto2015.org

Competitions, Pan American Games, Show Jumping

US Jumping Team Earns Bronze at 2015 Pan American Games

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McLain Ward and Rothchild (StockImageServices.com)

Caledon, Ont. – The final team medals in equestrian competition at the 2015 Pan American Games were decided this afternoon with the U.S. team taking the Team Bronze medal. The Nations Cup proved extremely competitive over both rounds of competition with clear rounds coming at a premium. The team comprised of Georgina Bloomberg, Kent Farrington, Lauren Hough, and McLain Ward finished on a total of 12 faults. The home nation of Canada won Team Gold on seven faults and Argentina took home their first team Pan American Medal in decades – a Team Silver on eight faults.

The U.S. Team got off to an unlucky start in round one, with each combination having one rail down on-course to go into round two sitting in sixth on 12 faults. The team entered the arena for round two determined and performed an impressive four clears, a feat not matched in either round.

“Coming back and having four clears in the second round was a great testament to all four of them, we are all proud of the effort, and it has been a great event,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “Each [U.S.] round of round one had one extremely minor error, not one single major error. It was pretty simple what the team needed to do [in round two]: duplicate everything from the first round and fix that one problem, and that’s exactly what happened. They were brilliant in the second round.”

Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild served once again as pathfinders for the U.S. Coming into the first double combination on course at 4A, Rothchild had a light touch behind to knock the rail, resulting in four faults. The veteran pair jumped an otherwise excellent round and adjusted in the second round to turn into the first of four clear rounds for the U.S. in round two.

“I actually thought he jumped as well in the first round, if not better, than the second round,” said Ward. Speaking to the rail down in round one, Ward said, “[Rothchild] lightly touched it behind; he didn’t make a big mistake. I could have set it up slightly better, but again, it was not a big mistake. Unfortunately, the rest of the day went like that: all four horses and riders went well with just a little thing here or there, but in Nations Cup format, four faults can be deadly. You have to have perspective though; all the horses went well, all the riders rode well, and there weren’t any big mistakes or problems.”

Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (StockImageServices.com)
Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (StockImageServices.com)

Competing in her first championship, Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) handled the pressure and proved her mettle. With a block down off the wall at fence six in round one, Bloomberg and Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s Lilli, jumped an otherwise perfect two rounds. The Michel Vaillancourt-designed course had a tight time of 83 seconds allowed, leaving no room for error. Bloomberg and Lilli came through the finish times in a neat 83 seconds, to post zero faults in round two.

“The first round I was really concerned about the time allowed; she’s usually a bit of a slow horse so I am always concerned with the time allowed, even when it’s not incredibly short like it is today,” said Bloomberg. “I think that watching a lot of people have time faults, I really had that in mind and think that’s why I had the wall down; I was really moving, came around the turn, and went.” Going into round two Bloomberg explained her mindset. “In the second round I was thinking: I still have to be somewhat quick, but I really wanted her to take a deep breath in every corner. If I had a time fault, I had a time fault, but at least I don’t make the same mistake as I did in round one. I had 83 seconds to do it, and I used every bit of it.”

A veteran of Olympic and Pan American Games, Hough (Wellington, Fla.) piloted The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala in the mare’s first championship competition. Picking up four faults at the entry to the triple-combination at fence 9A, the combination returned in round two to turn in one of the fastest clear rounds of the day.

“We were all a bit disappointed with the first round, little margins of error,” said Hough “[Ohlala] put in two fabulous efforts and I corrected my mistake in the second round; she couldn’t have jumped any better.” Hough’s clear marked three clear rounds in round two, assuring the U.S. of a 12-fault finish. “We all really dug in; it was a good experience for all of [the horses] and hopefully we will come back strong for the individual round. We are all quite experienced riders and knew we had to come back and be just that much better and we did it.”

Farrington, currently ranked third in the world, brought his and Robin Parsky’s young, talented mare Gazelle to gain valuable experience in the mare’s first Nations Cup. The pair had the same rail down as Hough at 9A and also added one time penalty to their total in round one. The mare built on her experience and produced a confident, faultless effort in round two.

Speaking to the success for the U.S. team at the Games, Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) noted, “[Gazelle] is nine years old and this is the biggest course she’s ever seen in this kind of setting. Additionally, Georgina is here doing her first championship, so I think it was great experience for an inexperienced horse and for a rider moving up to compete in her first championship. Obviously we came here to be competitive and have a very strong team. We all had an unlucky rail in the first round, but all came back and jumped clear in the second round. A little bit of bad luck today, but overall a good experience.”

Saturday’s individual final will see the 35 best-placed combinations according to the cumulative penalties over the first and second competition. Nations with four combinations in the top 35 will send forward their three best-placed combinations. For the U.S., Bloomberg, Hough, and Ward will compete. Competition gets underway at 11:00 a.m. ET and will be broadcast and streamed live on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.

Complete Results

Behind the Scenes with the U.S. Teams: USEF Sport Director Will Connell’s Blog

From the USEF Communications Department

Pan American Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Stellar US Jumping Team Set to Shine in Pan American Games

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All U.S. horses passed inspection Sunday (StockImageServices.com)

Caledon, Ont. – The United States will be represented by some of the best in U.S. jumping in the final week of competition at the 2015 Pan American Games. The U.S. team of Georgina Bloomberg, Kent Farrington, Lauren Hough, and McLain Ward will take on 16 nations, including 10 teams, over three days of team and individual competition. The first individual qualifier will take place Tuesday, the results of which will be used to establish the starting order of the team competition, taking place Thursday. The U.S. has drawn last in the order-of-go and will ride in the following order on Tuesday:

  1. McLain Ward
  2. Georgina Bloomberg
  3. Lauren Hough
  4. Kent Farrington

“The Pan American Games is one of the key events for the U.S. as we look toward the Olympic Games in Rio next year,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “We are steadfast in our goal of providing experience to a host of combinations while continuing to send teams that are in contention to medal at each Nations Cup event. We are coming off a win at CSIO5* Mannheim last week and have a completely different, very capable team here at the games. This is a true testament to the depth we have in the U.S. and is a part of the overall, long-range process of preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Farrington, of Wellington, Fla., will ride Robin Parsky and his own Gazelle, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. This pair has competed successfully since 2014, with top placings in major classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival, CSI5* Rome, and CSI5* Spruce Meadows. Farrington has been a significant contributor to U.S. team success, including as a member of the Bronze medal-winning team at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the Gold medal-winning team at the 2011 Pan American Games.

Hough will compete on the Ohlala Group’s Ohlala, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare, with which she has had much success both at home and abroad. The pair has garnered top placings in Nations Cup competition, including as members of the winning U.S. team in the 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final Challenge Cup and Silver medal-winning U.S. team at CSIO4* Ocala in February. Hough represented the United States at the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games, and at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Bloomberg, of New York, N.Y., and Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s 2004 Deutsches Sportpfred mare, Lilli, will also represent the United States in the Games. Bloomberg is a seasoned competitor, both nationally and internationally, with successful outings in top level competition. In 2015, Bloomberg and Lilli have had top-ten finishes this year at CSI5* Wellington and CSI5* Spruce Meadows.

Ward brings a wealth of experience to the U.S. Pan American Jumping Team. Ward has represented his country in three Olympic Games, including as a member of the Gold medal-winning teams in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008 aboard the legendary Sapphire. Ward has also been a part of three FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. teams: 2006, 2010, and 2014. No stranger to Pan American competition, Ward helped to secure a Team Gold medal win in the 2011 Games. At the 2015 Pan American Games, Ward will pilot Sagamore Farm’s 14-year-old gelding Rothchild. The pair has forged their successful partnership since 2009, garnering top prizes at elite shows at home and abroad. Ward and Rothchild combined to win a Team Bronze medal and a fifth place finish individually at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2015, Ward and Rothchild achieved top placings in CSI5* Grand Prix classes in Wellington, Fla. and at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada.

The athletes and their horses will be supported by veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, physiotherapist Janus Marquis, and farrier Ken Bark.

Complete order-of-go and results

Behind the Scenes with the U.S. Teams: USEF Sport Director Will Connell’s Blog

From the USEF Communications Department

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Leslie Howard and Lennox Lewis 2 Top $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby

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Leslie Howard and Lennox Lewis 2. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z Win $85,000 Enbridge Cup

Calgary, AB, Canada – July 5, 2015 – Spruce Meadows hosted the final day of competition in its ‘North American’ Tournament CSI 5* on Sunday with a win for USA’s Leslie Howard and Lennox Lewis 2 in the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby. Earlier in the day, McLain Ward (USA) and HH Carlos Z won the $85,000 Enbridge Cup 1.50m.

Howard and 16-year-old Lennox Lewis 2 (an Oldenburg gelding by Loreatus x Weizenkorn) have been together for ten years, so the pair definitely had experience on their side on Sunday. They also won the same competition in 2009 and have two wins in the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby from 2011 and 2013.

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios designed the derby course for Spruce Meadows eight years ago with a demanding 19 numbered obstacles and 25 jumping efforts. It is an incredible test of endurance and stamina for both horse and rider, including double liverpools, a table bank, a 26-foot, steep derby bank, and the Devil’s Dyke.

The course is the same for every derby competition and has only seen three clear entries out 199 starters since it was first set in 2007. Beezie Madden (USA) cleared the course twice aboard Judgement, the first year in 2007 and again in 2008. Pablo Barrios (VEN) went without fault in 2010 with G&C Sinatra. As is often the case, no one was able to jump a clear round on Sunday. There were four entries that finished on just four faults, however, and a jump-off was held to break their tie.

Ben Asselin (CAN) and Linda Southern-Heathcott’s Doremi were first to jump-off, with one rail down in 45.58 seconds, putting the pair in fourth place. Lisa Carlsen (CAN) and Alycia Hayes’ World’s Judgement were next to go, with a clear round in 36.86 seconds that landed the duo in second. Howard and Lennox Lewis 2 followed, with the fastest clear round in 36.63 seconds to take the win. Last to go, Richard Spooner (USA) and Show Jumping Syndication Intl’s Cristallo had a rail down in 40.55 seconds to place third.

As Howard detailed, her horse has jumped the derby course so many times that he could probably do it in his sleep at this point.

“The first derby earlier this summer, he was actually going very well and I got to the top of the bank and started daydreaming,” Howard laughed. “I said to myself, ‘I wonder how many times we have come down this bank?’ I was just so nonchalant; he just came to a complete halt at the bottom of the bank because I did not even tell him that he was supposed to continue on.”

One of Lennox Lewis 2’s strong suits is jumping the Devil’s Dyke (or grob), which causes problems for many other horses.

“In all the derbies I have ever shown him in, win, lose or draw, he has only ever had a rail once in the grob,” Howard detailed. “The water jump he is a little lackadaisical. I have to practice the water a lot because he would rather canter through it or maybe stop and take a drink than actually jump it. That is actually my biggest concern. If you were watching, everybody did seven strides to the water and I actually did eight because I really wanted to get him back on his hind end and just blast him at it as hard as I could. I was hoping that momentum would carry me past the tape and it worked out.”

In addition to her four wins with Lennox Lewis 2, Howard has two other derby victories with two different horses at Spruce Meadows.

“The key is just to have a good horse, and it is really that simple,” she noted. “There are not a lot of horses that you would show in a derby, but the ones that do it well can do it with their eyes closed. I have had three or four now that are just really good at it.”

“They cannot be a cold horse because they run out of gas,” Howard continued. “First of all, they have to have blood and second of all, they have to be very brave with a great, calm mind. My younger horse today (Moondoggie) exerted all of his energy at the beginning of the course. I came around the corner to the last two jumps and he just ran out of gas. He had tried too hard at the beginning of the course, whereas Lenny just comes in and says, ‘Oh, we’re back in the derby and here we go.’”

Lennox Lewis 2 had a break from competing at the top level and showed instead with an amateur rider last year.

“Since I got him back this May, I think he is actually fresher than he was two years ago,” Howard noted. “He had done a lot at the top level and dropping down to the 1.35m and 1.40m I think gave his body a bit of a break. I do feel he is as fresh as he has ever been.”

“He is also an extremely sound horse,” Howard added. “I have been doing this for about 50 years now and I have never had a horse as sound as Lennox Lewis. He has never missed a show. We bought him as a six-year-old and he is 16 now. His legs never fill up. He never limps. If you go back to the barns right now, other horses might be resting a leg or feeling a little tired. He will be standing there, I promise, four on the floor, eyes pricked, begging for food. He is just an extremely athletic, sound horse.”

Lisa Carlsen and World’s Judgment
Lisa Carlsen and World’s Judgment

Second place finisher, Lisa Carlsen, has a horse with great lineage for the derbies and explained how she has improved with World’s Judgement in the four derbies that the pair has jumped. The mare is by Judgement, the stallion that jumped two of only three clear rounds on the course with rider Beezie Madden.

“As Leslie said, they have to be blood horses and brave, and that she is,” Carlsen stated. “She is a unique horse. I cannot warm her up, so I only get on her about two horses away from my round. Her warm up is on a lunge line up top where she can settle. I just get on and canter two laps and walk in. By the end of the course, I might have more rails than the beginning because she starts to get her blood up too much, but she is getting better every time I go to the ring.”

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios explained that endurance is very important to success in the derby and that you not only need a good horse, but a good rider.

“For many years I have seen this derby and Leslie can say that you need a good horse, but you need to be a good rider too,” Palacios remarked. “For jumping derbies, the rider needs to administrate the energy of the horse, and she really does that. From the very beginning, Leslie is very soft, she is very light in the saddle the whole time, and at the end she still has enough horse. A lot of riders start fighting at the beginning, and then at the end they do not have enough horse. In the derbies, the endurance is very important. I need to congratulate these riders for doing it well. They are good riders and they know how to do it right.”

Ward Wins Another

McLain Ward (USA) carried his winning momentum from Saturday’s $400,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup into Sunday morning with a victory in the $85,000 Enbridge Cup 1.50m aboard Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z.

Course designer Santiago Varela (ESP) set the track for 39 entries in round one of the Enbridge Cup, with 16 advancing to the jump-off, and nine double clear rounds. Ward and HH Carlos Z blazed to the win in 40.50 seconds. Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl finished second in 41.26 seconds. Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Antares placed third in a time of 41.27 seconds, and Kent Farrington (USA) took fourth in 41.38 seconds riding Gazelle.

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z
McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z

The win marks Carlos and Ward’s third victory in this year’s Summer Series along with many other top placings. HH Carlos Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z x Voltaire), is always fast and careful.

“He is a remarkable little horse,” Ward remarked. “I have been lucky enough over the years to have a few like him. He is just a great little competitor.”

“I have a great string of horses,” Ward said of his success this summer. “I have great people behind me, great sponsors. I have the same team that I have always had, but we all bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the table. It is always the same in a series – if things start off well, typically you keep going that direction. If it starts out a little rough, it is sometimes hard to pull yourself out. I have been on the top and I have been on the bottom and I probably will be both again, so I will enjoy it while it is going well!”

Carlos jumped several times this week, but the cards played differently each time, and Ward chose to keep his preparation for Sunday’s competition simple.

“It was a long week; this is his fourth competition of the week,” Ward noted. “On Wednesday, he was in good form and then he lost his shoe in the jump-off and kind of fell down. Yesterday, he was in great form and had the time in the jump-off and I messed up the last fence. He doesn’t need much practice. Today we just walked him to the ring right out of his stall. He jumped a few jumps and went in the ring.”

Commenting on his winning jump-off, Ward detailed, “He is very fast everywhere. Everything was showing up nice. I had a nice cut on the original fence number one. I got the six-stride, which was a little longer than I thought to the Rolex jump, and then I think I was very fast to the last. He is so careful; you can kind of leave out all the way.”

The 2015 Spruce Meadows Summer Series concludes with one more week of competition, the ‘Pan American’ Tournament CSI 4*, presented by Rolex, on July 9-12, 2015.

For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Spruce Meadows Media Services
caroline.weilinger@sprucemeadows.com
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