From the top of the order in the jump off Mclain Ward (USA) rides the fast track to score another first place finish at the Pan American Tournament, presented by Rolex.
The Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.50m on Friday morning of the Pan American Tournament, presented by Rolex saw brilliant show jumping sport with nearly 40 participants challenging the Peter Grant (CAN) designed course. McLain Ward and his trusty Gold Medal mount from the 2016 Pan American Games, Rothchild (Artos Z x Elegant de L'ile), made their way into the Meadows on the Green ring as the first to set the standard with a clear score card.
As the first to step on the turf for the jump off, Ward rode his plan to perfection. Rothchild, a 16 year-old chestnut gelding owned by Segamore Farm, attacked each fence to lay down an unbeatable time.
The fastest clear round to follow Ward was posted by Ireland’s Cameron Hanley aboard Aiyetoro, a 12 year-old bay gelding by Concord. They arrived to the finish-line ahead of the other four qualified athletes in the jump off with a time of 45.34 seconds. A whole 4.46 seconds off the winning pace.
Following for third in this morning’s Friends of the Meadows Cup was the World #1 ranked rider, Kent Farrington (USA), on the beautiful Belgian Warmblood mare, Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro). Farrington’s more cautiously ridden clear earned him a top podium finish ahead of his opponents who took the gamble to rival Wards time. Unfortunately the gamble cam with costs in the form of lowered fences and faults on the score card.
Source: Press release and photo (c) Spruce Meadows.