McLain Ward (USA) and Blossom Z © Sportfot.
Wellington, FL – March 6, 2021 – McLain Ward and Blossom Z, owned by Wyndmont, Susan Heller, and McLain Ward, flew to the top of the podium for a victory in the $50,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m National Grand Prix on Saturday, March 6, in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).
A total of 25 combinations challenged the 1.50m track set by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA) on Saturday afternoon. The first round consisted of 16 jumping efforts with a total of nine qualifying to return for the shortened second round.
First to go of the nine returning combinations, Ben Maher (GBR) and Kalinka De Kalvarie, owned by Poden Farms, set the pace for the remainder of the competition with a clear effort in 36.200 seconds.
Fifth in the returning order, McLain Ward rose to the occasion, topping the time set by Maher, with Blossom Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide mare by Balou Du Rouet x Cleopatra Z, with a clear effort in 33.022 seconds.
Abdel Said and Arpege du Ru Speed to 1.45m Victory
Victory in the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Classic CSIO4* went to Abdel Said (EGY) and his own Arpege du Ru.
There were 29 entries and 12 clear rounds in the morning class, and they were all going for speed over a course designed by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA). The early leader was Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables’ Calisto Blue, who set a time of 60.66 seconds that would hold up for third place. Near the end of the class, Andrew Bourns (IRL) and Darquito broke the 60-second barrier to finish in second place on 59.69 seconds.
However, it was Said and Arpege du Ru who couldn’t be beat, finishing the course in a speedy 57.98 seconds for the win.
Said has ridden Arpege du Ru for three years, having received a phone call from his Global Champions League teammate Marlon Zanotelli about a horse he had for sale that he thought would make a good junior jumper.
For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.