Hecart Wins $32,000 CSI2* Speed Class
Edited Press Release
Bridgehampton, NY – August 31, 2024 – Six-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward 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 CSI5* Winning Round. 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 CSI5* Winning Round, 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 LLC’s 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.
“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.”
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. The USA’s Adrienne Sternlicht earned third for her 41.42-second time aboard Los Angeles De La Cense, Starlight Farms 1 LLC’s 10-year-old Westphalian stallion.
Earlier in the day, 13 entries from five nations tackled Peter Grant’s (CAN) 14-effort, 1.45m track in the $32,000 CSI2* Speed Class, with five pairs riding clear through the timers. France’s Marie Hecart brought home the win in 66.48 seconds aboard Edonna D’Udine, a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare owned by Normandie Connection Ltd. and Old Station Equestrian LLC.
Ibrahim Barazi (JOR) claimed second and third, respectively, riding Spronken BVBA’s 12-year-old Zangersheide stallion Khan VD Kattevennen Z (0/67.09) and AS Trading’s 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Lennox Van De Zeshoek (0/68.72).
With his consecutive wins, Ward now holds the lead in the Longines Rider Challenge with 200 points. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) sits second with 194 points, while Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) has moved into third with 188 points. The Challenge, which awards $30,000 and a Longines watch to the rider accumulating the most points in the week’s Open Jumper classes, will be awarded Sunday following the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix.
Other jumper highlights included various classics and championships. Alexander Alston IV of New Albany, OH, continued his winning streak at the Hampton Classic with victory in the $12,500 1.35m Amateur Jumper Classic presented by Evergate Stables LLC and the 1.30/1.35m Amateur Jumper Championship riding Alston Alliance LLC’s Spider. He secured the Firefly Challenge Trophy sponsored by Philip Richter for his efforts.
In the $12,500 CME Group 1.35m Junior Jumper Classic presented by Kaneb Equine Ventures LLC, Alexa Elle Lignelli of New York, NY, and her XO Cinderella galloped away with the win. Her XO Kiara secured victory in the $10,000 TAK Protective Group 1.25m Junior Jumper Classic with sister Agatha Lignelli (New York, NY) in the irons.
Caroline Signorino of Basking Ridge, NJ, finished first in the $10,000 1.25m Amateur Jumper Classic presented by Sagamore Farm aboard Meridian Farm LLC’s Liberty, which helped the pair secure the 1.20/1.25m Amateur Jumper Championship.
For live show results, visit HamptonClassic.com.
