WATCH: Mclain Ward and Tina La Boheme Top Grand Prix at The Ridge’s Palm Beach Series

West Palm Beach, FL (February 3, 2017) – The pristine all-weather arenas at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center once again played host to some of show jumping’s top names during the final week of January, with two of the USA’s top riders jumping to victory over courses set by FEI Level 3 Designer Mark McGowan.

Friday and Saturday’s $15,000 RV Sales of Broward 1.40 and 1.45m Grand Prix highlighted 5 days of hunter and jumper competition, with divisions ranging from Teeny Tiny Jumpers, 6- and 7-Year-Old Jumpers, Take 2 Thoroughbred Jumpers, and .65-1.35m Jumpers. Endless class offerings, spacious warm-ups, and exceptional footing and courses define The Ridge Palm Beach Series, tempting even the Olympians to come fine-tune their synergy in a stress-free environment.

3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward Goes 1, 2 in Saturday’s 1.45m Grand Prix

With one veteran mare and another fresh out of quarantine from Germany, US Olympian McLain Ward reiterated his versatility as a rider and skill in maximizing a horse’s potential in Saturday’s 1.45m Grand Prix. Kicking off the class with Quinta 106, Ward guided his new ride over the course with the ease, speed, and precision that have become his trademark. The fast but conservative double clear finished with a jump-off time of 36.566 and the lead, impressive for a horse not yet on American soil for a full week.

With established Grand Prix competitor Tina La Boheme, Ward put in another direct but conservative double clear, taking over his own lead from Quinta 106 with a final jump-off time of 35.865. The bay Selle Francais mare, who was an extremely successful campaign horse for Ward over the past year, jumped with the alacrity and expression that comes from a long break and Ward stated he is pointing both horses at the FEI ring later in the season.

“Tina is just getting back in the arena after a rest and Quinta only just arrived from quarantine on Tuesday,” said Ward of his two horses and his rides at The Ridge. “It’s a nice quiet atmosphere for the horses and allows riders to focus, and the courses and footing are good. It was a legit 1.45m today, but because of the reduced numbers, elements like the time allowed are a little more straightforward and I think for preparing horses for bigger things down the road that’s a big help.

“For Tina, I wanted to jump big to get her back in top form but didn’t want to take her to the FEI ring just yet, and Quinta and I are in just the first few shows of our partnership so we are just trying to figure out what she is all about. This is also a great event for young and advancing Grand Prix riders and horses, to get basic experience at this level but with enough of a challenge to allow them to develop.”

Quite a few top competitors chased after Ward’s first and second place standings, including Lauren Fischer and My Pleasure and the husband-wife team of Ireland’s Jonathan McCrea and the USA’s Christine McCrea. A last minute rally from Manual Fernandez Hache and Al Calypso boosted him into third behind Ward, bumping Fischer and the McCreas to 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Solem, whose exceptional riding was indicative of her passion for both her horse and the sport, was also awarded the EQUO Stylish Rider Award for her winning performance. Presented with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot from EQUO and a special edition Palm Beach Series belt from Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks from Nona Garson, Solem’s excitement about the win was evident.

“I just love this horse,” said Solem of Torlando, a gelding she has owned and ridden for ten years. “He’s my best friend and he is the most serious about show jumping of any horse I’ve owned. He treats every show like it’s the Olympics, and it was fantastic to bring him somewhere a little different. This week was our first time here this year, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the horses to get out and jump with a little less pressure and stress. It’s a great venue to practice being very competitive, or to try out a new riding style or piece of tack. It’s very representative of proper show jumping and the footing was perfect.”

Ridge Riders Win Big in Pony Jumper, Children’s/Adult, and JR/A/O Divisions

Week 4 also crowned numerous Champion and Reserve Champion honors, as well as saw a number of the future generation of Grand Prix riders in its leadline and Teeny Tiny Jumper classes. A full hunter division runs alongside the Palm Beach Series each week at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, and a rich offering of both prize money and prizes highlights the circuit. From $200-$400 gift certificates from US Animo to the end of circuit prize of a brand new jumper saddle courtesy of Southern Stars Saddlery, riders and horses leave The Ridge Palm Beach Series with far more than just ribbons!

For full results for Palm Beach Series Weeks 1-4 visit www.TheRidgeFarm.com/Results

Week 5, February 1-5 Schedule:

USEF Equitation Tuesday (runs each Tuesday at The Ridge at Wellington, 14415 Palm Beach Pt Blvd)

Wednesday & Thursday full hunter & jumper divisions @ Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, 7500 Forest Hill Blvd

Friday: $15,000 RV Sales of Broward Grand Prix and full hunter and jumper divisions at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, 7500 Forest Hill Blvd

Saturday: Turf Tour 1.45 Grand Prix and Low, Medium, and High Schooling Jumpers at The Ridge at Wellington (14415 Palm Beach Pt Blvd), hunter divisions at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center (7500 Forest Hill Blvd)

Sunday: Schooling Jumpers at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, 7500 Forest Hill Blvd

The 2017 Palm Beach Series
The 2017 Palm Beach Series includes 13-weeks of hunter, jumper, dressage, and equitation competition, including a diverse offering of divisions and classes, National, International, and Pony USHJA Hunter Derbies, weekly 1.40-1.45M Grand Prix classes, USEF Equitation Tuesdays hosted at The Ridge at Wellington, and the exceptional venues and all natural surfaces on the Turf Tour. Hosted at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, just two miles from Wellington’s center, the Palm Beach Series will also offer seasonal stabling packages on the show grounds, which include a covered arena, multiple all weather arenas, permanent barns, and a variety of amenities for horses and riders.

For more information on the 2017 Palm Beach Series, including full schedules, prizelists, and entry blanks, visit www.TheRidgeFarm.com.

The Ridge Farm
The Ridge, which is based out of New Jersey in the summer and Wellington in the winter, hosts a unique and diverse show circuit owned and organized by some of the industry’s top names, including USA Olympic rider Nona Garson. With a resume that includes the 1998 World Championships and 2000 Olympic games, wins at the Nations Cup Finals at Spruce Meadows, and multiple leading lady rider titles at Aachen, Royan, Gijon, and Helsinki, Garson founded The Ridge as an elite hunter, jumper, and equitation paradise for riders of all levels. Her hands on experience at the top international levels and effective teaching style make her a sought after clinician and coach. Along with a team of industry experts, she launched The Ridge’s show circuits, which include the Spring Series, Summer Spectacular, Asbury Classics, and Palm Beach Series, as well as a number of schooling shows. In their design, the shows were meant to provide a haven to nurture young horses and developing riders on an elite circuit with world-class amenities paired with a laid back, relaxed atmosphere.

Follow Nona Garson/The Ridge Farm,, The Ridge at Wellington on Facebook, and the Palm Beach Series on Instagram (@palmbeachseries) for up to the minute news and info!

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All photos courtesy of Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC