For Immediate Release
Kate Pettersen, Sabrina Brashares, and Summer Grace for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – March 12, 2021 – McLain Ward (USA) and Catoki owned by Marilla van Beuren, Bob Russell, and McLain Ward, flew to their second victory of the week in the $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m Classic CSI5* on Friday, March 12, in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) as competition continues as part of WEF 9, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®.
WEF 9 continues with CSI5* competition, along with a concurrent CSI2*, until Sunday, March 14, and features the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI2* on Saturday afternoon and the $401,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI5* as part of “Saturday Night Lights,” with a special opening ceremonies which includes the induction ceremony for Olympic gold and silver medalist Leslie Howard and Olympic judge and long-time FEI Steward General David Distler into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. The week concludes with the $73,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI5* on Sunday. Feature classes are available free live and on-demand on the livestream.
Topping a field of 53 in the starting order over a speed track set by Alan Wade (IRL), Ward and Catoki, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Cartello B, left all the jumps up to fly across the finish line in 52.33 seconds, nearly three seconds faster than the runner-up.
“He’s been incredible here this year,” said Ward of his winning mount. “He felt great on Wednesday, so I knew he was in good form for today. He’s starting to know when the bell goes [what to do] a little bit in this ring, so it was a little bit out of control I thought. I was a little bit faster than I meant to be, but he’s such a careful horse, I got away with it.”
Erynn Ballard (CAN) put forth a speedy effort in an attempt to catch the winning time, coming close for a second-place finish aboard Ronja, a 10-year-old Swiss Warmblood mare (Conteur x Czandor) owned by Ilan Ferder. The pair stopped the clock in an impressive 55.50 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Patricio Pasquel (MEX) with his own mare Yoga Santa Rosa with a time of 55.87 seconds.
Ward and Catoki already topped the podium during week nine, with victory in the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI5* on Wednesday afternoon.
“We joke that in all of these classes, if you take a pull [on the reins] you’re eighth,” laughed Ward, referencing the quality of competition during this year’s winter circuit. “I had a plan and actually changed it to the second combination. I ended up doing seven strides instead of eight because I got just the right line on the jump before, and it worked out. He’s just such a quick horse that you’re just trying to slow down a little bit at the fence.”
For a horse that is a proven winner with a lot of speed in the ring, his preparation for the show is quite unconventional. Ward doesn’t ride him at home but instead simply turns him out in the paddock for some rest and recuperation.
“Funny enough, at home he’s ‘kick-along quiet’ on the flat if we do ride him,” described Ward. “I could put my daughter on him, actually, so he’s just a real competitor.”
Joining Ward in the International Arena for their winning presentation was co-owner Bob Russell who spoke highly of both the horse and rider.
“There’s nothing any better than watching that little guy,” said Russell, co-owner of the talented gelding. “He’s got such a big heart and tries so hard all the time. He’s just a little guy but he can really go. It’s fantastic to watch them together. McLain is quite a guy as a person, and he’s the best rider.”
Full Results: $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m Classic CSI5*
1. CATOKI: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Cartello B
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Marilla van Beuren, Bob Russell & McLain Ward: 0/52.33
2. RONJA: 2011 Swiss Warmblood mare by Conteur x Czandor
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/55.50
3. YOGA SANTA ROSA: 2012 CCDM mare
PATRICIO PASQUEL (MEX), Patricio Pasquel: 0/55.87
4. RMF TINKERBELL: 2008 Oldenburg mare by Incolor x Argentinus
JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN (USA), Rushy Marsh Farm LLC: 0/55.88
5. BULL RUN’S FAUSTINO DE TILI: 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Berlin x Darco
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC: 0/56.62
6. GLAMOUR GIRL: 2011 KWPN mare by VDL Zirocco Blue x Moonlight II
HENRIK VON ECKERMANN (SWE), Portfolio Horses, LLC: 0/56.69
7. CALINA: 2012 DWB mare by CI CI Senjor Ask x Cornet Obolensky
HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED), One Oak Equestrian: 0/57.60
8. HERMELIEN VD HOOGHOEVE: 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare by Tangelo VD Zuthoeve x Thunder VD Zuthoeve
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables, LLC: 0/58.04
9. CHACCO-SAN: 2011 Hanovarian gelding by Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy
EDUARDO MENEZES (BRA), H5 Sport Horses, LLC: 0/58.73
10. BACCARAT DU TERTRE: 2011 Selle Français mare by Putch Des Isles x Indoctro
KAREN POLLE (JPN), Karen Polle: 0/59.25
11. CHRISTOS: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cristo 5 x Linaro
BLISS HEERS (CAN), Bridgeside Farms LLC: 0/60.54
12.= QUILIMBO: 2009 Holsteiner stallion by Quidam De Revel x Limbus
SCHUYLER RILEY (USA): E2 Show Jumpers: 0/60.99
12.= PARRANDERO: 2012 Holsteiner stallion by Clarimo x San Patrignano Cassini
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ (MEX), Enrique Gonzalez: 0/60.99
Vivian Golden and D’Artagnan Stay On Top to Win the $5,000 USHJA Pony Derby
Pony hunter riders had their chance to show off on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village on Friday in the $5,000 USHJA Pony Derby. After a classic round and handy round, Vivian Golden and Emma Dyson’s D’Artagnan finished at the top of the class with scores of 89 and 88 for a total high score of 177.
Fifty-seven riders competed over the first round track consisting of 10 fences designed by Tom Carlson. The class was set at three separate heights for 13 larges, 27 mediums, and 17 smalls. Once the classic round was complete, the top 12 combinations were called back to navigate the handy round.
Third in the order, Golden, of Reading, PA, and D’Artagnan took the lead with a score of 89 and held their top spot for the remainder of the classic round. This class was only Golden’s second time showing D’Artagnan.
“I rode D’Artagnan last weekend for the first time, and he’s very nice,” commented Golden. “He is quiet, he has such a nice rhythm, and his canter is very comfortable. I got reserve last week when I showed him and then we just kept improving.”
“My first round was really good and felt super nice,” continued Golden. “I was nervous going in because I’ve only shown him once, so it felt really good to go and get the highest score.”
The duo was one of the last pairs to come back for the handy round, and they once again showed off to earn the highest score of 88.
“I got to watch a couple go so I could make a plan of how I wanted to ride it,” she continued. “I wasn’t too nervous to come back because he is such a good boy.”
Although D’Artagnan’s owner will take over the reins on the large pony again in Week 12, Golden is looking forward to the rest of the show season with her other mounts. The rider, who loves showing on the big open field, also took two more spots in the top 12, earning fourth with Goldhills As You Like It and fifth with Dressed To Go.
“I love to be able to gallop and just feel the rhythm,” said Golden of riding on the Derby Field. “It is so fun and great out there. I really love to just go gallop those jumps.”
Not far behind in points were Olivia Sweetnam, of Wellington, FL, and Emma Brody’s Rolex, who took home second place. The pair received a classic round score of 87 and a handy round score of 86 for a total score of 173. Third place honors also went to Sweetnam aboard Jill Shulman’s Secret Crush. Sweetnam rode Secret Crush to scores of 84 and 87 with an overall score of 171.
Competition will continue on Saturday with the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI2* in the International Arena. The $401,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI5* will also take place in the International Arena under the lights at 7 p.m. Hunter competition will continue on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village with the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.
Final Results: $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 Score, Round 2 Score | Total
1. D’Artagnan, Vivian Golden, Emma Dyson
89.00, 88.00 | 177.00
2. Rolex, Olivia Sweetnam, Emma Brody
87.00, 86.00 | 173.00
3. Secret Crush, Olivia Sweetnam, Jill Shulman
84.00, 87.00 | 171.00
4. Goldhills As You Like It, Vivian Golden, Vivian Golden
86.00, 83.00 | 169.00
5. Dressed To Go, Vivian Golden, Vivian Golden
85.50, 82.00 | 167.50
6. Pepsi, Lily Epstein, Lily Epstein
84.50, 81.00 | 165.50
7. Brownland’s Last Call, Olivia Sweetnam, Castlewood Farm Inc.
79.00, 85.00 | 164.00
8. Rico Suave, Ava Barnes, Ponies & Palms Show Stables LLC
88.00, 75.00 | 163.00
9. Farmore State of the Art, Eva Mackenzie, Eva Mackenzie
86.50, 74.00 | 160.50
10. Eastside, Clara Propp, Aquitaine Equine
85.00, 74.50 | 159.5.00
11. Daventry’s Davinci, Ellie Sadrian, Ellie Sadrian
80.00, 76.00 | 156.00
12. On Your Mark, Olivia Sweetnam, Sweet Oak Farm
82.00, 40.00 | 122.00
Jordan Coyle Continues Irish Lucky Streak in $6,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty 1.45m CSI2*
Following the five-star class in the International Arena, a total of 29 horse-and-rider combinations contested Alan Wade’s (IRL) speed course in the $6,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty 1.45m CSI2* class. Jordan Coyle rode the heels of the week’s lucky streak for the Irish. As the third to final competitor on course, Coyle took the win with Elan Farm’s Warnike after flying through the timers in 63.12 seconds.
A handful of challengers faced an unfortunate single rail that undid some impressive times across the field while only one competitor was taken down by a time fault. The lead changed hand several times throughout the class but ultimately only six entries of the original starting field managed to produce a fault-free effort.
Carlie Fairty (CAN) and Ilan Ferder’s 10-year-old Westphalian gelding (Lancer II x Crassula) Leal rounded out the top three with a time of 67.25 seconds. Anna Dryden (USA) piloted the Double Meadows Farm, LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cosido x Vision) Carioca K to the runner-up position after crossing the finish line in 65.76 seconds. The young rider’s time seemed as if it would hold until Ireland’s Jordan Coyle took center stage with the nimble mare Warnike.
“I love her, to be honest,” said Coyle of the nine-year-old Dutch mare (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Carnike). “She is definitely the smallest horse I have ever ridden but she is the most enjoyable to ride and just gives you an unbelievable feeling.”
The win is the first for Coyle this season after coming off a hot winning streak in the summer of 2020.
“I didn’t have too much of a plan going in today,” he explained. “I don’t think I did anything crazy but everything just worked out perfectly, and this horse jumps everything extreme, whether it is 1.30 meters or 1.50 meters, so I really cannot say enough about her.”
Final Results: $6,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty 1.45m CSI2*:
1. WARNIKE: 2010 NRPS mare by Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Vingino
JORDAN COYLE (IRL), Elan Farm: 0/63.12
2. CARIOCA K: 2010 Holsteiner mare by Cosido x Carano
ANNA DRYDEN (USA), Double Meadows Farm LLC: 0/65.76
3. LEAL: 2011 Westphalian gelding by Falkenhof’s Lancer x Coronet Obolensky
CARLIE FAIRTY (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/67.25
4. MARTIALIS: 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding
MANUEL GONZALEZ DUFRANE (MEX), Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane: 0/67.70
5. MENKO VD WELLINGTON: 2012 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Echo Van T Spieveild x Clinton
ANDREW BOURNS (IRL), Blackwatch Farm: 0/68.44
6. VIVE THE QUINE: 2009 Selle Francais mare by Berlin x Mr Blue
ISABEL ROTH (USA), Two Socks Farm, LLC: 0/71.76
7. CASTANA LS LA SILLA: 2009 SLS mare
RAMIRO QUINTANA (ARG), Simon Nizri: 1/73.38
8. IKAROS: 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Chelltago Z x Feliciano 823
MAX WACHMAN (IRL), Coolmore Show Jumping: 4/60.55
9. SOORY DE L’HALLALI: 2006 Selle Francais mare by For Pleasure
ZOE CONTER (BEL), Stephex Stables: 4/60.85
10. COLUMBIA DE BEAUFOUR:
ELLEN WHITAKER (GBR), Oakland Ventures LLC: 4/65.45
11. STERREHOF’S BACCARAT:
JULIO DAVID VAINER(MEX), Julio David Vainer: 4/67.32
12. KIRSCHWASSER SCF: 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Amaretto D Arco x Werly Chin De Muze
FREDDIE VASQUEZ (PUR), Freddie Vasquez and G6 Holdings: 4/68.24