North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 29, 2018 – Saturday hosted the $70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* at the American Gold Cup, where McLain Ward (USA) captured yet another win in the day’s highlight event, this time aboard Tradition De La Roque, owned by Kessler Show Stables Europe B.V. The pair bested a total of 51 entries with a double-clear performance in 35.84 seconds.
Held on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm, Alan Wade (IRL) built a challenging 13-obstacle first round track set at 1.50m in height, which saw 11 cross the finish line with no faults to secure their spot in the jump-off.
Canada’s Mario Deslauriers was the early double-clear pathfinder in the jump-off with Amsterdam, owned by Luja LLC and Wishing Well Farm LLC. They stopped the timers in 38.13 seconds, but would take home fourth place honors at the end of the day.
Student of Ward’s and fellow NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team gold medalist, Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) was next to jump fault-free over the shortened course with Sagamore Farms’ Fantast in 37.44 seconds to move into the lead.
However, it was Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) and his own and Christine Stiller’s Penelope Cruz who narrowly slid into the first place position two rounds later, finishing fourth-tenths of a second faster than Sternlicht in 37.05 seconds.
Next up in the order, Ward, who has been having great success with a new string of horses at this year’s American Gold Cup, blazed around the eight-fence track with the 11-year-old Selle Français mare. In only their second show together, they posted a time of 35.84 seconds to overtake Cournane with one more combination left to go.
Eighteen-year-old Caitlyn Connors (USA) and Express Blue GP Du Bois Madame, owned by Caitlyn Connors LLC, concluded Saturday’s competition on the Grand Prix Field with the last double-clear effort in 40.81 seconds, securing Ward the win, Cournane second place and Sternlicht third place.
With Deslauriers claiming fourth place, Connors finished in fifth place, while Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Freestyle De Muze rounded out the double-clear standings in sixth place in 45.98 seconds.
With three wins already under his belt, including Thursday’s $2,500 Staller 1.35m Jumper class with Queen Jane, owned by Walstib Stables LLC, and Friday’s $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W with Contagious, owned by Beechwood Stables LLC, Ward hopes to keep his winning streak alive heading into Sunday’s grand finale where he will ride Contagious.
The 2018 American Gold Cup culminates with the coveted $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W on Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m., where the top 40 athletes from Friday’s qualifier will go head-to-head for the highly sought-after American Gold Cup. Prior to the event’s start time, Ward will retire his legendary partner, Rothchild, in a special ceremony.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
McLain Ward (USA) – $70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* winner
On Tradition De La Roque:
“She’s another horse of Reed Kessler’s. This one is for sale. Reed has gone back to school and this was kind of her main campaign in the grand prix [classes] over the last few years. She has a lot of experience. This is only my second show with her so I’m really thrilled with the results. She’s a really straightforward, kind horse.”
On his winning round on Saturday:
“It was our first time out on the grass today. That’s always a factor but it’s nice to have a brave horse like [Tradition De La Roque]. I was lucky to have two shots [in the class]. [HH Gigi’s Girl] was a little unlucky in the jump-off but went beautifully. I kind of knew what the needs were to win and it felt like the horse was in good form and had a big stride so it worked out.”
RESULTS
$70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4*:
Place / Horse / Athlete / Country / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Tradition De La Roque / McLain Ward / USA / 0 | 81.13 / 0 | 35.84
2. Penelope Cruz / Capt. Brian Cournane / IRL / 0 | 77.54 / 0 | 37.05
3. Fantast / Adrienne Sternlicht / USA / 0 | 81.92 / 0 | 37.44
4. Amsterdam / Mario Deslauriers / CAN/ 0 | 76.64 / 0 | 38.13
5. Express Blue GP Du Bois Madame / Caitlyn Connors / USA / 0 | 80.57 / 0 | 40.81
6. Freestyle De Muze / Richie Moloney / IRL / 0 | 81.55 / 0 | 45.98
7. Villamoura / Sydney Shulman / USA / 0 | 76.27 / 4 | 36.53
8. Balou / Vasco Flores / PUR / 0 | 76.07 / 4 | 37.91
9. HH Gigi’s Girl / McLain Ward / USA / 0 | 81.33 / 4 | 38.29
10. Great White / Daisy Farish / USA / 0 | 81.82 / 4 | 40.56
11. Eyecatcher / Mattias Tromp / USA / 0 | 78.92 / 4 | 40.66
12. Main Road / Shane Sweetnam / IRL / 1 | 82.32
Kristen Vanderveen Continues Winning Ways with Bull Run’s Prince of Peace to Capture $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic
Earlier in the day, the Grand Prix Field kicked off competition with the $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic prior to the $70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4*. In familiar fashion to Thursday’s $35,000 Trelawny Farm Welcome Stake CSI4*, it was a fight to the finish between American athletes Kristen Vanderveen and Margie Engle, where Vanderveen would once again emerge victorious to claim her third win of the week at the American Gold Cup.
Alan Wade’s 14-effort track, set at 1.45m in height, challenged 39 horse-and-athlete combinations with only four pairs emerging fault-free. Early pathfinders Callan Solem and Imogen De Regor elected not to return for the second round, making it a three-horse jump-off consisting of Katherine Strauss aboard Capacity, Engle with Indigo and Vanderveen riding Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, respectively.
Returning first for the jump-off, Strauss and Capacity, owned by Katherine Strauss LLC, set the pace to beat in a quick time of 29.712 seconds, but two fences down for an 8-fault total would leave room for improvement by the final two athletes.
Engle entered next, hoping to establish a quick, clean time ahead of Vanderveen and she did just that aboard Gladewinds Farm Inc.’s Indigo with a fault-free finish in 32.172 seconds.
Riding on the heels of Engle once again, Vanderveen returned and bested the winning time once more as she flew to a clear round in 29.553 seconds to capture the top honors, garnering Engle a repeat second place behind Vanderveen after also capturing Thursday’s second place finish with Gladewinds Farm LLC’s Dicas. Ultimately, Strauss and the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding would settle for third place.
The winner’s circle was dominated by women as Solem and Imogen De Regor finished in fourth place, while Beezie Madden and Jiva rounded out the top five.
Saturday’s win for Vanderveen and the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, came hot off their win in Wednesday’s $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Jumper class and was followed by the 29-year-old athlete’s success on Thursday with Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili in the $35,000 Trelawny Farm Welcome Stake CSI4*.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Kristen Vanderveen – $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic winner
On Saturday’s course:
“[Bull Run’s Prince of Peace] is a young horse that I’m bringing along. Coming in, I wasn’t exactly sure how it would go, but I think [Alan Wade] did a great job building the course. It was friendly enough where the horses could still have a bunch of space to see the ring at the beginning and get comfortable with everything. It’s a really nice feeling when there’s only three in the jump-off so I definitely did give it a go. Considering it was Margie [Engle] and I in the other class – it was kind of fun that it went that way again.”
On Bull Run’s Prince of Peace:
“He’s 9 years old and one I am trying to develop into my FEI string but, because of the rain, I ended up scratching him in the FEI [classes] this week. I thought he needed a warm-up but he proved to me this week with the class today that he didn’t need a warm-up. He was really professional. I’ve had him for about a year and a half. He’s really careful and really game. I feel like he has all the qualities so I’ve really tried to take my time and not push him too much. I feel that now he’s really gotten the mileage he needs to be able to step up and start being useful in the FEI string.”
On her week at the American Gold Cup:
“At this point, anything on top of this is just another cherry on top. I’m thrilled with how the week has gone. My student, [Jamie Buis], did great and won her class yesterday so we really just had a super blessed week. Going in to tomorrow, I’m just trying to enjoy every bit of it. [Bull Run’s Almighty] is a younger horse that I’m developing so I don’t have huge expectations. He’s more than capable of doing something great but he could also get a little green out there so we’ll just see.”
RESULTS
$35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic:
Place / Horse / Athlete / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Bull Run’s Prince of Peace / Kristen Vanderveen / 0 | 71.528 / 0 | 29.553
2. Indigo / Margie Engle / 0 | 72.566 / 0 | 32.172
3. Capacity / Katherine Strauss / 0 | 73.308 / 8 | 29.712
4. Imogen De Regor / Callan Solem / 0 | 74.148 / WD
5. Jiva / Beezie Madden / 4 | 69.650
6. Queen Jane / McLain Ward / 4 | 70.565
7. Cherrypop / Mario Deslauriers / 4 | 71.768
8. Grandy De Laubry / Kelli Cruciotti / 4 | 72.022
9. Quidam MB / Adrienne Sternlicht / 4 | 72.390
10. California 19 / Rodrigo Pessoa / 4 | 72.491
11. Zhivago / Adrienne Iverson / 4 | 72.935
12. Calumpi / Alberto Michan / 4 | 72.967
Jumper Classic Winners Crowned on Saturday at American Gold Cup
Photo: The Book LLC
$10,000 Mitchell-Innes Nash Fine Art Adult Amateur Classic 1.15m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Hans / Alexandra Indeglia / 0 | 69.782 / 0 | 34.161
2. Hailey Ad Z / Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome / 0 | 62.456 / 0 | 34.993
3. Dignity / Carolyn Lackey / 0 | 71.473 / 0 | 36.997
4. S & L Jacob / Kyle Olson / 0 | 71.465 / 0 | 37.000
5. Figo / Jennifer Padovani / 0 | 70.020 / 0 | 37.823
6. Grey Quidam / John M. Struzzieri / 0 | 72.052 / 0 | 38.472
7. Cassiro / Nicole Terry / 0 | 72.877 / 4 | 33.549
8. Dakota / Nilani Trent / 0 | 68.862 / 4 | 36.333
9. Fidel Cavaro / Kimberly Corts / 0 | 63.663 / 4 | 36.404
10. I Watch / Michelle Stacy / 0 | 70.874 / 4 | 37.458
Photo: The Book LLC
$10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Classic 1.25m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults / R2 Faults | Time
1. Haylie Van De Groenendijk / Joshua Vanderveen / 0 / 0 | 29.754
2. Balotan / Elizabeth Kirby / 0 / 0 | 30.279
3. Wednesday Mornin / Brianne Link / 0 / 0 | 30.966
4. Felini De La Pomme / Samantha Kasowitz / 0 / 0 | 32.454
5. Vilavie Du Bois Philip / Samantha Wight / 0 / 0 | 32.799 sec
6. Janina 40 / Susan Dixon / 0 / 0 | 32.815
7. Chellini / Tori Corts / 0 / 0 | 33.099
8. Caillou / Remi Heller / 0 / 0 | 34.460
9. Selecto Vh Kapelhof / Christina Fried / 0 / 0 | 34.467
10. Hollywood Be Good / Kirsten Ostling / 0 / 0 | 34.927
Photo: The Book LLC
$10,000 NAL Low Junior Jumper Classic 1.25m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults / R2 Faults | Time
1. Cool Boy 22 / Zayna Rizvi / 0 / 0 | 30.738
2. Wilhelmus S / Chloe Terestchenko / 0 / 0 | 31.132
3. Himeros / Jerry Chu / 0 / 0 | 32.413
4. Man In Black / Charlie Jacobs / 0 / 0 | 32.698
5. Cote D’Or VLS / Dylan Laiken / 0 / 0 | 32.794
6. Calvaton / Zayna Rizvi / 0 / 0 | 33.527
7. Furbo Arkansas / Eva Fisherman / 0 / 0 | 33.848
8. Infinity / Claudia Villamil / 0 / 9 | 49.229
9. Sl Olada / Daneli Miron / 0 / 12 | 31.442
10. Zabel D / Carolina Villanueva Suarez / 1 | 67.315
Photo: The Book LLC
$10,000 Medium Junior / Amateur Owner Classic
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults / R2 Faults | Time
1. Quite Close Vd Smis / Claudia Villamil / 0 / 0 | 27.390
2. All Star De L’Aube / Taegan Long / 0 / 0 | 27.499
3. Zin Chin / Sheer Levitin / 0 / 0 | 27.613
4. Wanted / Abigail Stark / 0 / 0 | 27.688
5. Tixie Des Hayettes / Samantha Kasowitz / 0 / 0 | 27.932
6. Cortina 200 / Carley McInerney / 0 / 0 | 28.615
7. Inouk P / Klee Hellerman / 0 / 0 | 29.382
8. Ohlala Z / Dylan Laiken / 0 / 4 | 28.335
9. Eliane B / Stephanie Gallucci / 0 / 4 | 29.590
10. Miss Lucy HH / Anna Beth Athey / 0 / 4 | 30.004
Photo: The Book LLC
$5,000 The Gochman Family NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic 1.15m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults / R2 Faults | Time
1. Don Juan / Claudia Citrin / 0 / 0 | 26.700
2. Zabelle S / Emily Aitken / 0 / 0 | 26.806
3. Lilly / Claudia Citrin / 0 / 0 | 27.516
4. Flowerbomb / Lilia Holder / 0 / 0 | 30.089
5. Cardenfe / Ellen Mollerus / 0 / 8 | 25.095
6. Zilver Pomme VDL / Hannah Taylor / 0 / EL
7. RS Lilly / Emily Aitken / 4 | 63.501
8. Calicool / Isabella R Gunningham / 5 | 66.060
9. Wamira / Layla Kurbanov / 5 | 66.262
10. Gaia SCF / Lauren Shrem / 5 | 66.334
Photo: The Book LLC
$2,500 Rushy Marsh Farm Low Childrens/Adult Jumper Classic 0.85/0.90m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults / R2 Faults | Time
1. Casalla / Caroline Saunders / 0 / 0 | 28.840
2. Karina R / Erika Sergent / 0 / 0 | 29.140
3. Caleandoner YH / Gianna Pinto / 0 / 0 | 29.313
4. Kalinka 223 / Baylee McKeever / 0 / 0 | 29.546
5. Kec Delilah / Kayla Walker / 0 / 0 | 29.802
6. Idefix / Gianna Pinto / 0 / 0 | 29.984 sec
7. Centre Stage / Jacqueline Lampert / 0 / 0 | 30.042
8. Kec Quizz / Nicole Crighton Vescio / 0 / 0 | 30.989
9. Exite / Jennifer Seidel / 0 / 0 | 31.016
10. Contendro’s Girl / Patricia Hurter / 0 / 0 | 31.732