WELLINGTON, Fla.--Reigning FEI World Cup Champion McLain Ward won the $35,000 CP Welcome Stake to highlight opening day of the Palm Beach Masters CSI3*-W, at Deeridge Farm on Feb. 1.

McLain Ward on Hija van Strokapelleken (photo by Kathy Russell Photography)Riding Hija van Strokapelleken, Ward finished in 62.02 seconds, four seconds ahead Fernando Martinez of Mexico and Cor Bakker who were second in 66.83.

Hunter Holloway and Eastern Jam,were third in 67.42 seconds.

“It’s the way we wanted to start off this week,” said Ward. “Hija was fantastic. I am very lucky to have this wonderful mare. This is beautiful event, the footing is phenomenal and the weather was great. We couldn’t ask for better conditions. I would like to thank Deeridge Farms and the Jacobs Family.”

Martinez took the early lead in the class in the pristine grass arena and held the top spot until Ward rode on his second mount.

Ward and the big gray mare obliterated the time on the Alan Wade-designed course, in part because many competitors took it a little easy, using the class as a warm up for Friday’s $35,000 Sovaro® Palm Beach Masters Qualifier.

 

“I’M LUCKY enough to have a nice string of horses so that I can have two horses in this event," said Ward. "Today’s money is as good as tomorrow’s. We did a training round with HH Callas, but with Hija our goal was to try and pick off this first class. She has a massive stride and all the scope. In a class like this, you can use it to your advantage. She was walking the 'leave outs’ today so you don’t have to do anything too extreme.”

“I think it’s a beautiful place," said Martinez. "It’s my first time here and I’m very happy to be here and do so well. I bought my horse as a young 8-year-old and he’s 10 now. I’ve done a couple grand prix with him this past summer. I hope to keep him at this level and be successful.”

“I just wanted to have a nice smooth round today," said Holloway. "He’s been a lovely horse to bring along. I got him two years ago when he was competing in the 1.20m classes. He’s just been a joy to bring along and to see him at this level now is really something for me to be proud of. He’s an amazing horse. This is a beautiful horse show. I came last year and I had to come back because it was a top event and I loved it.

Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Tic Tac, owned by Maher and Jane Forbes Clark, outran the Americans in a five horse jump-off to capture the $35,000 Sovaro® Palm Beach Masters Qualifier at Deeridge Farms on Friday.

Lauren Tisbo was second on Coriandolo di Ribano and Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) was third on Cristalline.

“This type of venue suits Tic Tac. It's incredible here. The Jacobs Family is doing a lot to help the sport. We have many arenas like this in Europe, but this really is in my opinion a breath of fresh air to come over here. I think Tic Tac really reacted well to the great grass ring and the nice bright jumps,” said Maher. “It’s been a lean time for me over the last year or so, I haven’t been in this position too often. I’ve had guys around me telling me that I’m getting too old…, but everything went right for me today.”