Bridgehampton, N.Y. – Aug. 28, 2019 – Adrienne Sternlicht claimed the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Open Jumper 1.40m speed class, with Fantast, their third win in a row at the Hampton Classic. They stopped the clock in a time of 55.868 seconds. Ireland’s Richie Moloney was second with Merqusio on a time of 57.121 seconds and Molly Ashe Cawley and Berdien were third, in a time of 57.255 seconds.
Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography
Although weather played a factor with the Wednesday afternoon timetable at the Classic, you’d never have known it watching the top combinations pilot their partners across the spectacular new grand prix ring.
“It was only lightly raining when I went, unlike Richie – when he stepped into the ring it just came down,” remarked Sternlicht following the class. “Rain notwithstanding, I thought today was perhaps the most difficult 1.40m class I’ve jumped. The track looked quite difficult when I walked it, the second fence although it’s a vertical, is set on the middle standards, and it’s a bit spooky and airy for the horses. I thought it might cause some problems. There were rollback turns that needed care, and difficult options to the spooky liverpool. I thought today was easily the most difficult track we’ve jumped all week.
Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography
“I tried to be neat and tidy everywhere, but as the week has progressed with this horse, I’ve been able to ride him better and better. Today I was working on supporting him more at the right moments and knew where I had to take time. I also knew where I could take a chance and how to help him in those places. I’m very happy with him.”
The second class in the Grand Prix ring was the $10,000 7-and-Under Jumpers, which Heather Caristo-Williams won with Celtic Hero BZ. They stopped the clock in 58.362 seconds. Victoria Birdsall and Maestro Van Het Binnenveld finished second in 58.475 seconds and Natalie Dean was third with Maestro Vica V/D Ark in 59.966 seconds.
“I’m so happy with how Celtic jumped today,” said Caristo-Williams. “He loves a big field and he was trying so hard. It was raining a lot when we started our round, and I was really impressed with how the footing held up and how solid my horse felt out there. I felt very comfortable going fast and turning tight.”
With her Wednesday win, Adrienne Sternlicht moves further into the lead in the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge. Sternlicht leads with 200 points, with Molly Ashe-Cawley behind her with 149 points. McLain Ward is in third with 102 points. The competition continues through Sunday.
Thursday’s jumper action will feature the $40,000 FEI Speed Stake and the Citarella Adult Amateur Jumpers. Hunters will continue with Adult Amateurs, Juniors and the Dover Saddlery / USEF Hunter Seat Medal Qualifiers.
Due to the inclement weather, Wednesday afternoon’s $10,000 Palm Beach Masters Open Jumper class has been rescheduled to 9:00am Thursday, August 29. The $40,000 FEI Speed Stake (class 410) is now scheduled for 3:00pm. The Adult Amateur Hunters from Wednesday have been moved to Thursday morning in Hunter Ring Two.
RESULTS
$10,000 Wölffer Estate Open Jumper
Place / Horse / Rider / Faults | Time
1. Fantast / Adrienne Sternlicht / 0 | 55.868
2. Merqusio / Richie Moloney / 0 | 57.121
3. Berdien / Molly Ashe Cawley / 0 | 57.255
4. Djumpsina SFN / Victoria Birdsall / 0 | 57.412
5. Carrasca Z / Taylor Flury / 0 | 57.922
6. Kecho Du Sud / Shane Sweetnam / 0 | 58.268
7. Lucy In The Sky / Shane Sweetnam / 0 | 58.299
8. Ringwood Zebo / Darragh Kerins / 0 | 58.344
9. Zerly / Laura Bowery / 0 | 58.450
10. Silberrose / McLain Ward / 0 | 59.219
11. Agana Van Het Gerendal Z / Lillie Keenan / 0 | 60.624
12. Hector Aad / Alison Robitaille / 0 | 60.949
For full results, click here.