Press release from Hampton Classic Horse Show

Fresh off his sixth Olympic appearance at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games where he added a team silver medal to his collection, seven-time Hampton Classic Grand Prix champion McLain Ward (USA) returned to the winner’s circle in Friday’s $70,000 Douglas Elliman CSI5* Grand Prix qualifier presented by Longines. He and High Star Hero (Zazu x Darco) were smooth and quick in the jump-off, claiming top honors in a double-clear time of 34.91 seconds. 

The Hampton Classic, August 25-September 1, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

The $70,000 Douglas Elliman CSI5* Grand Prix qualifier was Ward’s first international class with the 11-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding owned by Thaisa Erwin and Michael and Wendy Smith. That didn’t stop the new partnership from soaring over course designer Nick Granat’s 16-effort, 1.60m track in the initial round, which narrowed a field of 47 entries from 11 nations to just 12 in the jump-off. In the tiebreaker round, Ward and High Star Heroproved uncatchable with a tidy, efficient ride in 34.91 seconds. 

“His owners, Michael and Wendy Smith, are great supporters of mine, and their rider Thaisa Erwin has been producing him for the last several years,” Ward said. “Thaisa’s done a brilliant job. The Smiths felt he would suit my ride, and she has a new young horse, so this horse moved over to our stable last Wednesday. This is our first FEI showing."

“He’s got a great amount of talent and a great brain,” he added. “He’s ready to compete at this level and has been competing with Thaisa throughout the summer months. He’s definitely my type of ride, and I’m excited to see what the future has in store."

“There were some fast riders to come including Jordan (Coyle) and Darragh (Kenny),” Ward said about his jump-off. “I knew there were challenges on course, but I thought it was a good route and had a plan. I adjusted it slightly to the combination; I did one less stride than I originally planned, but he was covering the ground well. Overall, I stuck to my plan and was lucky to be just fast enough to win.”

Ireland’s Jordan Coyle claimed second aboard For Gold (For Fashion x Heraldik), his and Falkirk Farm LLC’s 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding, with a double-clear score of 35.31 seconds. Pathfinder Kristen Vanderveen (USA) tripped the timers in 36.21 seconds without fault for third place aboard Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman), Bull Run Jumpers Inc.’s 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. 

Following her podium finish, Vanderveen took over the lead in the Longines Rider Challenge with 170 points. Sydney Shulman Desiderio (ISR) has moved into second with 132 points, and Christian Coyle (IRL) sits third with 130 points. The Challenge, which awards $30,000 and a Longines watch to the rider accumulating the most points in the week’s Open Jumper classes, will be awarded Sunday following the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix.