North Salem, New York, USA – May 20, 2022 – Five-time Olympian McLain Ward (USA) returned to the International Arena on Friday to fly to the top of the leaderboard. Ward, who is also the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows Co-Chair, started his day with a victory in the $25,000 National 1.40-1.45m Jumper Classic aboard his speed specialist Catoki, tripping the timers in 37.231 seconds. The Alan Wade-designed course featured 15 jumping efforts, narrowing a field of 50 entries to just 12 in the jump-off.
“This is exactly what his job is,” Ward said of Marilla Van Beuren’s 13-year-old Westphalian gelding. “He’s a speed horse, one that I take internationally for these types of competitions as well. He’s got his own way and a unique character that’s a little bit special. I think he’s won a competition at every show this year. He’s a pretty incredible little horse.
“I had quite a few horses in this class,” Ward added. “I think it’s a wonderful class for a wide variety of horses like young horses coming up, horses that you’re still building, and of course horses like Catoki. It was a strong field and a nice jump-off. I knew we would have a nice placing with Callas (who finished fifth), and it just set up for Catoki to take a real shot at the end.”
Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm
Photos: © Randolph PR Photography
Categories: Results
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