Press release from Old Salem Farm, edited by World of Showjumping

Following his victory in Friday’s $63,000 New York Welcome Stake presented by Evergate Stables, six-time U.S. Olympian and World #10 McLain Ward returned to the Old Salem Farm International Arena for a 1-2 finish in Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix presented by J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He claimed top honors aboard Lestro VD Valckenborg (Stakkato Gold x Animo) with a picture-perfect round in 33.82 seconds, then repeated his double-clear effort aboard Jordan Molga M (Etoulon VDL x Dulf van de Bisschop) for second place in 34.40 seconds. 

This victory marks Ward’s 16th Grand Prix win at Old Salem Farm, a record he hopes to increase on Sunday, May 17, as he aims to defend his title in the $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix presented by Old Salem Farm.

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, one of the premier stops on the nation’s hunter-jumper horse show circuit, offers a full schedule of USEF and FEI events, May 5-10 and May 12-17. The Spring Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to Olympic veterans, such as local hero McLain Ward (USA), Daniel Bluman (ISR), Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), aboard their grand prix mounts. Week 1 (May 5-10) was USEF ‘National-6’ rated for hunters and jumpers and designated FEI CSI3*; Week 2 (May 12-17) is USEF ‘Premier-6’ rated and designated FEI CSI4*. 

Ward and E.T.C. Custodian FBO Marta Mattox’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Lestro VD Valckenborg returned to the winner’s circle after their Welcome Stake win on Friday, this time leading the way as the pathfinders in Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix. They rode a faultless first round over Alan Wade’s 16-effort, 1.55m track, then set the jump-off time to beat at 33.82 seconds. Though that time proved uncatchable for even Ward’s other mount, Michael Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Jordan Molga M wasn’t far behind, finishing second in 34.40 seconds. 

“It’s always great to win at home, and I think that success rate just means I’ve been doing it a lot,” Ward said with a laugh. “With Lestro, we’ve been on a nice upswing. He won the qualifier on Friday, and I have a lot of confidence in him. He really performed great. He responded well from (Fence #1 to #2) with a great turn."

“This was actually Jordan’s warmup event,” he continued. “He’s going to go to Aachen in two weeks, so it was nice to be in a position not to put all the pressure on him and save him for another day. It’s especially exciting now to be on this stage with my kids and see them coming up, and McKayla (Langmeier), who’s in our circle, also had an amazing week.”

Fellow American McKayla Langmeier was the only other rider of the 30 entries representing seven nations to go double clear. She stopped the clock in 34.94 seconds to bring home third aboard Isidore de Chalusse (Clarimo x Vigoo d'Arsouilles), Rafferty Farm LLC’s 8-year-old Warmblood gelding. 

Both Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Alessandra Volpi (USA) advanced to the jump-off with Ward and Langmeier. Coyle dropped a rail with Elan Farm’s 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Ariso (Casall x Contender) to fall to fourth place on a four-fault score. Volpi elected to retire from the shortened track with Haya Loma N (Emerald van't Ruytershof x Lupicor), Cedar Fox LLC’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, for fifth. 

“It’s a bigger event next week with the CSI4*, so I think we’re going to see a stronger field,” Ward said. “I’ll be using the young horse, Lestro, again. It’ll be a step up for him, but I think he’s obviously ready to handle that challenge. Then my other horses of Michael Smith’s (Jordan and High Star Hero) will be off to Aachen in two weeks – the greatest stage in show jumping.”