Adrienne Sternlicht is kicking off her WEF season with a bang by earning a 1.45m win earlier in the week and again leading the victory gallop in the $25,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic on Saturday riding Cadans Z, owned by her own Starlight Farms 1 LLC
Adrienne Sternlicht and Cadans Z. Photo © Sportfot
From a field of 31, 10 horses advanced to an Eric Hasbrouck-designed jump-off track where Sternlicht stopped the clock in an uncatchable 36.769 seconds over her trainer and two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward. He and Heavenly W, owned by Portfolio Horses LLC, stopped the clock double clear in 38.026 seconds.
“At the end of last year, McLain was riding [Cadans Z], and this is my first week back on her. She’s a great mare, has a lot of quality, and today I was able to get out of her way,” said Sternlicht of her one-year history with the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare (Carosso VDL x Navarone). “She has not been the easiest horse for me to figure out. Having the experience of watching McLain ride any horse, especially one that you’ve been working with, is always incredibly educational.”
Click HERE to watch Adrienne Sternlicht’s Winning Round
Of her jump-off round, Sternlicht noted, “I think I won by a little bit of shock factor. Once I got going, I didn’t slow down. Today I don’t think was my prettiest, but my horse was really good to me.
“We come here to compete, so we have a full string of horses going,” continued Sternlicht. “For that reason, I think it is great that the new footing feels so fantastic. It is a huge improvement!”
Coming off a team gold medal at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™, Sternlicht has tunnel vision for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and is using WEF as preparation for her bid for the U.S. team.
“I think this year has the potential to be the most important year of my riding career,” she said. “I have the best group of horses that I’ve ever had. I’m very, very fortunate to have some depth in my string of grand prix horses. Last year I missed out on several Saturday night classes, so I’m very excited to be able to compete this WEF and to be able to enjoy all that the season has to offer.”
Adrienne Sternlicht and Cadans Z in their winning presentation with Olga Hartsock and Vice President of Development Tim Luby of CaptiveOne Advisors, and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo © Sportfot
Canada’s Mario Deslauriers rounded out the top three in a time of 38.078 seconds riding Uris de la Roque, which he co-owns with Aram Ampagiumian LLC, while Samuel Parot, Jr. took fourth in 39.615 seconds aboard Buga Z, owned by Samuel Parot. Hector Florentino (DOM) capped the top five in 40.806 seconds riding Carjo Z, owned by Scott Head.
Also winning in the International Arena at WEF on Saturday, Charles Jacobs (USA) took top call in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic riding Cassinja S, owned by CMJ Sporthorses LLC, while Catalina Peralta (USA) and Wendy Peralta’s Conti won in the $1,500 High Junior Jumpers. Grace Debney (USA) closed out the day with a victory in the $1,500 Medium Junior Jumpers riding Darc Kiss Z for owner Temple Equestrian LLC.
Final Results: $25,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic
1 CADANS Z: 2009 Zangersheide mare by Carosso VDL x Navarone
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms 1, LLC: 0/0/36.769
2 HEAVENLY W: 2012 KWPN gelding by Calvaro F.C. x Delia W
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Portfolio Horse LLC: 0/0/38.026
3 URIS DE LA ROQUE: 2008 Selle Français gelding by Capital x Quick Star
MARIO DELAURIERS (CAN), Aram Ampagoumian LLC & Mario Deslauriers: 0/0/38.078
4 BUGA Z: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Chester Z x Quality Touch Z
SAMUEL PAROT JR (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/0/39.615
5 CARJO Z: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Calvinos x Chellano Z
HECTOR FLORENTINO (DOM), Scott Head: 0/0/40.806
6 SHIVER: 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Stakkato x Grannus
LIZA FINSNESS (USA), Lisa Finsness: 0/4/36.794
7 LINCOURT GINO: 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Gino III x Graf Magna
ALEJANDRO KAROLYI (VEN), Monica Carrera: 0/4/37.081
8 QUIDAM MB: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Quidam’s Rubin x Argentinus
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms LLC: 0/4/38.708
9 VOLT DU THOT: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Mozart des Hayettes x Fusain du Defey
JOAO EDUARDO FERREIRA DE CARVALHO (BRA), Karina Rocha Mello: 0/8/39.706
10 VAGABON DE LA VALLEE: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Zandor Z x Rosire
CHRIS EWANOUSKI (USA), Cavalli Reale Stables LLC & Chris Ewanouski: 0/12/40.493
11 BOHEME DE LA ROQUE: 2011 Selle Français mare by Kannan x Medine d’Amaury
MARIE HECART (FRA), Eurl Top Stallions Company: 1/75.177
12 JEWEL LVP: 2009 BWP mare by Berlin x Contender
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Makim Holdings Inc.: 1/75.577