U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, earned an impressive win aboard Clinta in the $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3* on Thursday, May 17, at the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 20 at Old Salem Farm. Hunter competition was highlighted with a Grand Adult Amateur Championship title for Forever, ridden and owned by James Anderson.
Coming off a recent CSI5* victory at the Longines Masters of New York just three weeks ago, Ward proved the versatility of Clinta, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare (Clinton x Lord Pezi), owned by Sagamore Farms, by claiming a win outdoors at Old Salem Farm. The indomitable duo bested a field of 59 over courses designed by Alan Wade (IRL). Crossing the timers in 37.32 seconds, Ward posted the fastest jump-off round by one one-hundredth of a second over runner-up Brianne Goutal-Marteau (USA).
McLain Ward (USA) won the $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3* riding Clinta.
Photo by The Book
“It was good fortune,” said Ward of his narrow victory. “Brianne’s horse is a bit of a faster horse. He can’t quite cover the ground the way Clinta can, but he’s quicker over the jumps. [Clinta] loses a little time in the air and I was galloping, but I wasn’t going full speed with her. I tried to execute the plan and it would fall where it would.
“The [Longines Masters of] New York was a boost of confidence and showed us we were headed in the right direction. I wanted to show her here at Old Salem to get on the grass once before going to Europe, but unfortunately the weather is not cooperating with us. We’re lucky this venue has such great all-weather arenas to fall back on,” Ward shared.
Ward considered not returning for the jump-off and saving Clinta for the $131,000 Empire State Grand Prix CSI3* on Sunday, but decided to take the opportunity to learn more about his new mount, saying, “I wanted to do the one inside turn on the oxer because I haven’t really done that with her to an oxer. I thought I needed to experience that at some point and see how she reacts, and she performed great. Every round I have with her, I know her a bit better and probably take a little bit of a breath myself.”
McLain Ward (USA) and Clinta were presented as winners of the $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3*.
Photo by The Book
Goutal-Marteau and Fineman, owned by Rose Hill Farm, settled for second place in 37.33 seconds, while Daniel Bluman (ISR) took third in 37.64 seconds riding Cartouche for owner Over The Top Stables, LLC. Peter Wylde (USA) finished fourth in 37.85 seconds riding Canamera 2 for owner Kathleen Kamine, and Devin Ryan (USA) rounded out the top five aboard his own Cooper in 38.63 seconds.
Final Results: $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3*
1 CLINTA: 2007 Oldenburg mare by Clinton x Lord Pezi
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Sagamore Farms: 0/0/37.32
2 FINEMAN: 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Feliciano x Kotiljong II
BRIANNE GOUTAL-MARTEAU (USA), Rose Hill Farm: 0/0/37.33
3 CARTOUCHE: 2007 Silla Argentina stallion
DANIEL BLUMAN (USA), Over The Top Stables, LLC: 0/0/37.64
4 CANAMERA 2: 2009 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Carthago
PETER WYLDE (USA), Kathleen Kamine: 0/0/37.85
5 COOPER: 2007 KWPN gelding by Unaniem x Baloubet due Rouet
DEVIN RYAN (USA), Devin Ryan: 0/0/38.63
6 DOUGIE DOUGLAS: 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding by VDL Douglas x High Roller
KATHERINE DINAN (USA), Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/0/39.49
7 CHICAGO HOF EVERSEM Z: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Con Spirito R x Papillon Rouge
MATTIAS TROMP (USA), Swede Ventures LLC: 0/0/40.21
8 LOUGHNAVATTA INDIGO: 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Luidam x VDL Arkansas
JONATHAN CORRIGAN (IRL), Twin Oaks Stables Inc.: 0/0/40.83
9 COLUMBCILLE DE REVE: 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare by Hermes de Reve x Errigal Flight
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Crooks Show Jumping LLC: 0/0/42.37
10 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: 2006 KWPN mare by Balourado x Fruhling/Landjonker
HILARY MCNERNEY (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/0/44.59
11 CARINOU: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Carinue
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Ken Dickey :0/0/44.96
12 CHUCK 27: 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Cassus 2 x Ramiro’s Son II
HILARY MCNERNEY (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/0/46.79