Edited press release from Old Salem Farms

Six-time U.S. Olympian and World #8 McLain Ward added another victory from the annual Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows to his record on Saturday, this time claiming top honors in Evergate Stables’ CSI3* $65,000 New York Welcome Stake with High Star Hero. Ward and Hero blazed faultlessly through the timers in 31.62 seconds. 

Course designer Alan Wade challenged 40 entries representing nine nations to a technical, 16-effort track set at 1.50m for Evergate Stables’ $65,000 New York Welcome Stake. Of the 15 horse-and-rider combinations who made it to the jump-off, Jordan Coyle (IRL) and King Kannan GP (Kannan x Warrant) took an early lead, tripping the timers in a blistering 32.93 seconds. Only two other pairs caught that time: first Daniel Bluman (ISR) aboard Hummer Z (Harley x Hemmingway) (0/0/32.33), then Ward aboard High Star Hero (Zazu x Darco) as the penultimate entry (0/0/31.62).

“Having experienced horses like Daniel’s and mine helped a lot [when catching Jordan’s time], especially in that turn from Fence #1 to #2,” Ward said. “These classes are very competitive, and the levels are very high. With a great surface [like the Old Salem Farm International Arena], even after the many inches of rain that we’ve had, we were able to compete at 100 percent."

“He’s a wonderfully talented horse,” he added of Michael and Wendy Smith’s 12-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding. “We’ve had some great moments, and we’ve had some down moments. But we’ve really hit our stride from the second half of the season in Florida, performing there very consistently and continuing that here today. We’re looking forward to a great summer in Europe with him. I’m going to be using my tried-and-true partner First Lady in the Grand Prix tomorrow, and then both of these horses go to Europe next week to compete in [the Nations Cup of] Rome the following week.” 

Bluman earned second place for his blistering 32.33-second time with Abigail Wexner’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Coyle ultimately landed in third with his time of 32.93 seconds aboard Elan Farm’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.