North Salem, New York, United States – May 18, 2025 – Defending champion McLain Ward (USA) raced into the winner’s circle yet again for the $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix CSI 4*, presented by Old Salem Farm at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, this time sharing the victory gallop with his longtime partner Callas. Ward and Beechwood Stables’ 17-year-old Holsteiner mare stopped the clock on a blistering double-clear score of 32.57 seconds.

One of the premier stops on the American hunter-jumper horse show circuit, the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to Olympic veterans aboard their grand prix mounts. Week 1 (May 6-11) was USEF ‘National-6’ rated for hunters and jumpers and designated FEI CSI 3*; Week 2 (May 13-18) was USEF ‘Premier-6’ rated and designated FEI CSI4*.

Twenty-eight entries representing eight countries presented over Alan Wade’s 17-effort, 1.55m course for Sunday’s $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix, where each of the nine riders who returned for the jump-off seemed to get faster than the ones before. Ward and Callas returned toward the middle of the order, slicing and dicing their way to a 32.57-second time for the win.

Of the seven riders who posted double-clear scores, two Irishmen rounded out the podium alongside Ward. Philip McGuane (IRL) galloped into second place with his 32.95-second time aboard Orphea HQ, Evergate Stables 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare.

Jordan Coyle (IRL) secured third in 33.18 seconds aboard Jorisca, Falkirk Farm’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare. 

“Callas is a longtime partner of mine; she’s a veteran and an overall fantastic mare,” Ward said. “The jump-off set up well for us. There were two sharp left turns that were good for her. She tends to drift a little in that direction, and today, she performed beautifully. I think coming behind Jordan Coyle (IRL) had me a little worried. I mean, he’s a go-for-broke rider, and when he jumps a double-clear, it’s usually quite the challenge to catch. But I really just stuck to my plan. The mare felt great, and everything showed up well for us.”

Ward has won numerous grand prix classes at Old Salem Farm and had the home crowd cheering as soon as he crossed the timers. “This is home for us,” he said. “We started about 35 years ago here; I remember I was second back in 1990. It’s been a long journey, and it’s amazing to see this event as prestigious as ever.”

Final Results – $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix CSI 4*, presented by Old Salem Farm

1) McLain Ward (USA) & Callas – 0 / 0 – 32.57

2) Philip McGuane (IRL) & Orphea HQ – 0 / 0 – 32.95

3) Jordan Coyle (IRL) & Jorisca – 0 / 0 – 33.18

Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm Horse Shows

Photos: © OSF / SEL Photography

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