Articles: Horse News
McLain Ward Tops the Field in the Prudential Douglas Elliman Open Jumper
Class
at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show
Paulena Johnson Wins the Newsday Amateur Owner Jumper Class
Contact:
Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810,
info@classic-communications.com
Bridgehamption, NY -- September 1, 2011 --
McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, found the route to victory on Oh d Eole in the
$15,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper class at the 36th
annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY, on Thursday.
The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist had the benefit of three mounts in the
class, testing the course with Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm, and then
making the jump-off with Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms, and Oh d Eole.
With my first horse I was just going for a nice round, said Ward. I was
trying to be competitive with the other two, but with Rothchild I made a
little bit of a foolish error. They had a little bit of an angle to a new
jump in the jump-off and I tested it a little too hard on him and had a
run-out, but I was able to correct it on Oh d Eole.
The field of 57 yielded 11 in the jump off, with Shane Sweetnam
of Wellington, FL, setting the pace going clear in 41.038
seconds on Triviant, owned by Spy Coast Farm. Kent Farrington
of Chicago, IL, took over the lead on Valhalla, owned by Haity
McNerny, with no rails down in 39.702 seconds and stayed on top
until Ward entered the ring with Oh d Eole clinching the victory
with a clear round in 38.660 seconds. Ward said he was happy to
be a winner again at the Classic.
This show has been very good to me, said Ward. I affectionately refer to it
as my home. Im lucky here. My horses always do great and Im very happy to
be here.
Farrington finished second, and Darragh Kerins of Ridgefield, CT, was third
on Hot Wheels, owned by Miranda Fischer.
Paulena Johnson of Wellington, FL, won the $5,000 Newsday Amateur Owner
Jumper (1.40m) class earlier in the day on Quastor Van De Donkhoeve, owned
by Paulexi, LLC, in a time of 56.863 seconds. Jay Land of Alpharetta, GA
and Nepal were second in a time of 57.184 and Danielle Cooper of Oyster Bay,
NY was third on Kosta with a time of 57.579 seconds. Johnson was the last to
go in the field of 30, and it played to her advantage.
Since I went last I was able to watch a couple go. I saw Jay Land and he
was flying and I didnt think that I would be able to catch him, but I just
went and I didnt have to touch the reins the whole time. It was great,
really fun, said Johnson. This is my first big win here. I got my horse
exactly a year ago and last year this show was my first one with him. And
now this was our first time in the High Amateur-Owner class and he won, so
Im very happy.
This is also the first year Johnson is showing as an Amateur and at 19-years
of age, she is among the youngest. Im probably the youngest in the class, so
its a little overwhelming at times but it feels good to win here, said
Johnson. Theres a lot of tough competition and Im showing against the best
of the best of the Amateurs, but when you win it really does feel good.
One of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation, the Hampton Classic
managed to keep almost its entire competition schedule, albeit compressed
from eight days into five. The Classic runs through Sunday, September 4
when it culminates with the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup
Qualifier.
The Classics revised show schedule is available on line at the Hampton
Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com. The Classic is also providing
frequent updates on its Facebook page.
For those who cant make it to the show grounds, WVVH-TV, the
official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic,
broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each
day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen
online at www.wvvh.tv.
Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is
available on the Hampton Classic website at
www.hamptonclassic.com or by calling (631) 537-3177. Hampton
Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charitable corporation.
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