Edited press release from Old Salem Farm

Defending champion McLain Ward (USA) raced into the winner’s circle yet again for the CSI4* $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix Presented by Old Salem Farm at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, this time sharing the victory gallop with his longtime partner Callas (Casall x Coriano). Ward and Beechwood Stables LLC’s 17-year-old Holsteiner mare stopped the clock on a blistering double-clear score of 32.57 seconds.

Twenty-eight entries representing eight countries presented over Alan Wade’s 17-effort, 1.55m course for Sunday’s $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix, where each of the nine riders who returned for the jump-off seemed to get faster than the ones before. Ward and Callas returned toward the middle of the order, slicing and dicing their way to a 32.57-second time for the win. 

“Callas is a longtime partner of mine; she’s a veteran and an overall fantastic mare,” Ward said. “The jump-off set up well for us. There were two sharp left turns that were good for her. She tends to drift a little in that direction, and today, she performed beautifully. I think coming behind Jordan Coyle had me a little worried. I mean, he’s a go-for-broke rider, and when he jumps a double-clear, it’s usually quite the challenge to catch. But I really just stuck to my plan. The mare felt great, and everything showed up well for us.”

Ward has won numerous grand prix classes at Old Salem Farm and had the home crowd cheering as soon as he crossed the timers. “This is home for us,” he said. “We started about 35 years ago here; I remember I was second back in 1990. It’s been a long journey, and it’s amazing to see this event as prestigious as ever.”

Of the seven riders who posted double-clear scores, two Irishmen rounded out the podium alongside Ward. Philip McGuane galloped into second place with his 32.95-second time aboard Orphea HQ (Emerald x Epleaser Van't Heike), Evergate Stables LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. Jordan Coyle secured third in 33.18 seconds aboard Jorisca (Dantos x Larino), Falkirk Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.