Bridgehampton, New York, USA – August 31, 2024 – Six-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward (USA) claimed top honors in the Hampton Classic Grand Prix Arena for the second consecutive day on Saturday, riding two mounts into the final round of the $70,000 Winning Round CSI 5*. In the end, he earned first in a faultless time of 38.93 seconds aboard Contagious,his 2021 Tokyo Olympic mount who helped secure team silver.
The Hampton Classic, August 25-September 1, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Fifty-four entries representing nine countries contested Nick Granat’s (USA) 15-effort, 1.50m course in Saturday’s $70,000 Winning Round CSI 5*, with 15 horse-and-rider pairs returning in reverse order of merit over the nine-effort second-round course. There were several shake-ups on the podium as each entry galloped around the course, until Ward and Beechwood Stables’ 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Contagious blazed ahead in 38.93 seconds, giving themselves a 1.79-second lead that no other rider could catch without fault.
Two-time Olympic veteran Samuel Parot (CHI) finished in second place with Chrystal Blue, his and Dolores Funes’ 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, tripping the timers in 40.72 seconds.
Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) earned third for her 41.42-second time aboard Los Angeles de La Cense, Starlight Farms 1 LLC’s 10-year-old Westphalian stallion.
“To be honest, I was concerned about the three riders coming behind me (Mark Bluman, Darragh Kenny and Alessandra Volpi),” Ward said. “I knew we had to lay down a good round with those three coming behind us and make them chase the time. Contagious has been a longtime partner of mine and is a very fast horse, and I’m so grateful to Beechwood Stables for my partnership with him.”
Final Results – $70,000 Winning Round CSI 5*
1) McLain Ward (USA) & Contagious – 0 / 0 – 38.93
2) Samuel Parot (CHI) & Chrystal Blue – 0 / 0 – 40.72
3) Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) & Los Angeles de La Cense – 0 / 0 – 41.42
Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for the Hampton Classic Horse Show
Photos: © HCHS / Kind Media
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Categories: CSI 5*
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