BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--McLain Ward on High Star Hero won the $116,100, 5* Grand Prix Qualifier in a 10 horse jump-off on Friday, Aug. 29.
McLain Ward on High Star Hero (Photo by Kind Media)Nick Granat set the course for the field of 43 entries.
Jump-off times got faster and faster until penultimate rider, Ward went clean in 36.84 seconds for the win.
The Qualifier ultimately came down to the final four riders in the jump-off, with Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam. Ward and Jonathan Corrigan, also of Ireland, closing out the class.
“It’s always nice to have the luxury of going at the end,” Ward said. “Shane’s horse is a very fast horse with a big stride. I know he’s setting up for Sunday and leaving a little in reserve, but Hero’s focus for this week was this qualifier so I was able to take some risks. We know each other very well, and we stuck to our plan today."
“I’m looking forward to this weekend,” he said. “I’ll be riding Imperial HBF in the Grand Prix on Sunday. I think he’s possibly the best horse I’ve ever ridden. You need things to go your way in this sport, but we’ve set up well for it. It’s been a few years since I’ve won the Grand Prix, so I’m hoping for the best result.”
SWEETNAM placed second, clean in 37.51 seconds on James Kann Cruz, and Corrigan, clean in 38.39 seconds on Darius De Kerglenn, was third with Mendoza on In The Air fourth, clean in 38.70 seconds.
Stella Wasserman on Myjorka (Photo by KindMedia)Spencer Smith, who set the early time to beat of 39.18 seconds on Cassina was fifth.
Ward has taken the lead with 248 points in the $20,000 Longines Rider Challenge for the FEI 5* division, which will be awarded on Sunday after the $400,000 5* Grand Prix.
Mendoza has moved into second with 195 points, while Skylar Wireman is third with 174 points.
Stella Wasserman followed her win in Thursday’s $5,000 CSI2* Open Jumper with both first and second place in the Hampton Classic’s $32,000 2* Grand Prix Qualifier with Myjorka, clean in 32.31 and Precious Dwerse Hagen, clean in 32.67, respectively.
“Both horses are naturally very quick, and I’m very lucky to have that,” Wasserman said. “I just try to stick to the plan that I go over with my coach. I know if I execute it to the best of my abilities, I have a really good shot at winning, and that’s what happened today!
“Myjorka is just an exceptional horse,” she said. “She gives it 150% every time she goes into the ring. I am beyond lucky to have a horse like her; she’s truly unmatched.”
Ariana Marnell on Jikke-Cara was third, clean in 33.50 seconds.
