Articles: Press Release
McLain Ward and Goldika Had It in the Bag Winning the $30,000 FENDI Cup at
the Hampton Classic Horse Show
Contact:
Contact: Meg Schermerhorn, (508) 698-6810, meg@classic-communications.com
Bridgehampton, NY-August 29, 2009-McLain Ward is having a good week at the
Hampton Classic Horse Show winning back to back jumper events. Riding
Goldika, owned by Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock, the team gold medalist in
the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, topped the field of 20 to win the
$30,000 FENDI Cup on Saturday.
The 34th Hampton Classic, one of the nation's premier show jumping
competitions, continues through Sunday, August 30. The Classic hosts
hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors
in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to Olympic veterans in
the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix. Entered in the show are McLain Ward and Chris
Kappler, members of the United States' 2004 Gold Medal Olympic show jumping
team, as well as legendary riders such as Olympian and Hall-of-Famer Joe
Fargis.
Ward and Goldika, were the fastest of the three double clears winning in a
time of 36.568 seconds. Darragh Kenny and Gael Force were second with
37.539. Third went to 16-year-old Katie Dinan on Couletteo K James with
41.696.
Due to the inclement weather, the Fendi Cup was relocated to Jumper Ring
II. Out of the 53 that were entered, only 20 decided to show and 18 managed
to negotiate the first round. Ward was one of only three that were clear in
the first round and was the second to go in the jump-off.
First to go was Darragh Kenny riding Gael Force, owned by Missy Clark and
North Run. Kenny went clear, but he knew things were far from over with two
left to compete. Ward was next and obviously gunning for a win, but it
looked like it was all over for Goldika when she stumbled over a fence,
giving everyone a scare. Amazingly the 19-year-old Holsteiner mare picked
herself up and the pair became the new leaders. Dinan and her Couletto K
James, were the last to go, but they were not a threat, going clear but over
five seconds behind the leaders.
"She stumbled over the vertical and I lost my reins, but she recovered OK
and did very well," said Ward of Goldika. "I was very happy with the way
she went. It was a bit splashy, but the footing held up remarkably well.
It was unfortunate that the weather was bad, but it was a good competition
and I hope FENDI decides to come back next year."
Kenny was disappointed at finishing second for the second time this
week. The 21-year-old is getting tired of seconditis, but still happy with
the performance of Gael Force.
"It was a bit sticky out there, but I was very, very happy with the way my
horse went, said Kenny. "McLain is McLain, he is just really hard to beat."
Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to see it
on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the
Hampton Classic, will broadcast up to five hours of competition and
highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen
online at www.wvvh.tv.
The Classic is also receiving extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the
official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU is broadcasting
broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from
the Classic through Sunday, August 30.
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