The 2017 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm came to an end on Sunday as some of the world's top international showjumping athletes competed for the coveted American Gold Cup trophy in the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York CSI4*-W. The United States claimed the top prize for the second year in a row as Devin Ryan secured the victory aboard the 8-year-old KWPN gelding Eddie Blue (Zirocco Blue VDL x Marlon).

The top 39 athletes from Friday's $86,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W, presented by Windsor Show Stables, came forward to compete on the Grand Prix Field in Sunday's grand finale over two challenging tracks designed by Alan Wade and Nigel Jess.

The large first round course utilized the field's natural slopes and hills to test athletes over a series of 14 obstacles, where a majority of faults were collected through the Longines triple combination (oxer-oxer-vertical). Five combinations advanced to the jump-off after producing clear efforts in the first round.

Brianne Goutal (USA) kicked off the tie-breaking round with Remarkable Farms LLC's Nice De Prissey (Rosire x Amarpour). The pair won the 2013 American Gold Cup together but concluded Sunday's competition on 4 faults in 40.12 seconds, which would garner them fourth place in the final standings.

Canada's Mario Deslauriers and Bardolina (Clarimo x Landos), owned by Wishing Well Farm, LLC, experienced an unfortunate parting of ways at the third element of the eight-fence jump-off, resulting in an elimination. Both horse and athlete received a round of applause for their efforts after immediately getting back on their feet and reuniting.

Just coming off their recent win in the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament's $75,000 Agero Grand Prix at the end of August, Ryan and Eddie Blue, owned by LL Show Jumpers, LLC, claimed the first clear performance of the jump-off. They blazed around the short course in 37.75 seconds, knowing world number three ranked show jumping rider and New York native McLain Ward (USA) would be following him in the order-of-go.

Ward and HH Callas, owned by Double H Farm, took their turn on the Grand Prix Field next, also finishing clear but one second behind Ryan in 38.34 seconds. Jack Towell and Evergate Stables LLC's Lucifer V (Lord Pezi / Grandeur) were the final challengers of Sunday's main event. They posted the fastest 4-fault effort in 39.51 seconds for third place, while Ward took home second place honors.

"I have a great horse and I knew it was a great field out there," said Devin Ryan after his victory. "I was probably the least experienced of all those riders in the jump-off. I've been watching them all season trying to learn from them. I just went out there today and rode my plan. Eddie is a great horse. I've had him since he was 4 years old and I've known since he was 5 years old that he would be able to jump all the big classes. He's a very brave horse and a field like this suits him. He has a lot of stride and scope so there is time to organize him. Because the field fit the horse, I thought this was a great place to step him up."

Runner-up McLain Ward commented: "My father won this class 31 years ago, which I am very aware of. I have been trying to win this class for a long time and I've been second a lot, but it eludes me. I was thrilled with the mare today. She has been really good. She was third at the Hampton Classic. Devin is a very fast rider. He's always going forward and the horse has a very big stride. I knew I couldn't do the same numbers so I knew it had to be a very good round to win. In hindsight, you see an inch here or an inch there but you also risk having a jump down. I did the best round I thought I could do but [Devin] was a little better today. That's the sport and hopefully I can get this win before I retire."

Source: Press release from Phelps Media Group // Pictures © Phelps Media Group