McLain Ward Goes 1-2 on Home Turf at Old Salem Horse Show CSI3*

McLain Ward & HH Carlos Z. Ph. ©The Book LLC

The number-two ranked rider in the world, McLain Ward (USA), won the $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3* riding HH Carlos Z and finished second aboard Tina La Boheme on Thursday, May 18, at the 2017 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 21 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.

Ward and HH Carlos Z, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z x Voltaire), entered the ring from the 22nd position in the original order and cleared Alan Wade’s (IRL) speed track in 67.23 seconds for the win. At the conclusion of the 58-horse class, Ward’s time stood and he and HH Carlos Z, owned by Double H Farm, picked up their second FEI win at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows after topping the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake CSI2* last week.

Riding second in the original order aboard Tina La Boheme, Ward set an early pace of 68.55 seconds to finish second riding the ten-year-old mare he co-owns with Susie Heller. Third place was presented to Peter Wylde (USA) riding Paloma for owner Kathleen Kamine in 70.55 seconds, while Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) took fourth aboard Lady Maria BH in 70.75 seconds for Gochman Sport Horse, LLC. Georgina Bloomberg (USA) rounded out the top five in the irons of Manodie II H after stopping the clock at 71.43 seconds.

Ward and HH Carlos Z have collected several wins together at Old Salem Farm over the last few years, and he admits that the mount thrives on the conditions of the Grand Prix Field.

“He’s a very good horse on grass in general,” said Ward, who won 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Final earlier this year in Omaha, NE, on HH Azur. “Venues like Old Salem Farm really suit him. He seems very comfortable on the turf and has a lot of success on it.

“I love it here,” continued Ward, who hails just minutes from Old Salem Farm at his own Castle Hill Farm in Brewster, NY. “It is very exciting to have these shows here, as well as the American Gold Cup in the fall, and I am proud to be part of these events.”

Not just a winner at Old Salem Farm, Ward has had the ride on HH Carlos Z since 2014 and has campaigned the gelding all over the world, saying, “His best quality is that he is super careful. He really doesn’t want to touch the fences, and he is very fast, so you can basically take a risk everywhere. He has been a great winner for me.”

Next on HH Carlos Z’s schedule is the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, taking place on Sunday, May 21, as the pinnacle of FEI competition at the 2017 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.

Earlier in the day on Thursday, Ward also topped the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m riding his own Balando on the Grand Prix Field at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.

Jumper competition continues Friday with the $5,000 Under 25 Jumper 1.45m, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, on the Grand Prix Field. The day will conclude with the $5,000 Grooms’ Class beginning at 4 p.m., and an exhibitor party at the Overlook Terrace at 5:30 p.m.

Spectators are welcome at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday. On the weekend of May 20-21, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12. Tickets are available at OldSalemFarm.net.

Stay informed on the happenings at Old Salem Farm this spring with live streaming of the Grand Prix Field Friday through Sunday during the Spring Horse Shows at www.oldsalemfarm.net. Old Salem Farm and Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are also on Facebook, as well as on Twitter and Instagram as @oldsalemfarmny. Follow for an exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at the Old Salem Farm experience.

Top 12: $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3*

1 HH CARLOS Z: 2002 Zangersheide gelding by Chellano Z x Voltaire
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Double H Farm: 0/67.23

2 TINA LA BOHEME: 2007 Selle Français mare by Calvaro Z x Arpege Pierreville*HN
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Susie Heller and McLain Ward: 0/68.55

3 PALOMA: 2006 Holsteiner mare by Canaletto S x Henzo de la Brasserie
PETER WYLDE (USA), Kathleen Kamine: 0/70.55

4 LADY MARIA BH: 2006 Holsteiner mare by Cartani x Corrado I
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Gochman Sport Horse, LLC: 0/70.75

5 MANODIE II H: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Carthago x Zeus
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprises, LLC: 0/71.43

6 HESTER: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Palestro
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA), Lisa Deslauriers: 0/71.73

7 BRINDIS BOGIBO: 2006 KWPN gelding by Grand Pilot I x Pacific
LAUREN TISBO (USA), Tequestrian Farms LLC: 0/71.74

8 COOPER: 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Unaniem x Baloubet du Rouet
DEVIN RYAN (USA), Devin Ryan: 0/72.90

9 MARK Q: 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Obos Quality 004 x Positively
KEVIN BABINGTON (IRL), Kevin Babington: 0/73.39

10 DAY DREAM: 2008 KWPN gelding by Zento x Heartbreaker
JIMMY TORANO (USA), Jimmy and Danielle Torano & Isalou Inc: 0/73.54

11 DOUBLE O SEVEN 7: 2008 KWPN gelding by Mr. Blue x Celano
KEVIN BABINGTON (IRL), Kevin Babington & Katznelson Jumpers LLC: 0/73.98

12 TOULAGO: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Toulon x Carthago Z
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms LLC: 0/74.81