USA’s Mclain Ward had a packed house on its feet at the end of a nine-horse jump-off in the $406,000 Fidelity Investments five-star Grand Prix during week five of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, last Saturday night, just beating Ireland’s Darragh Kenny into second place.

It was the first week of five-star action at the venue and some of the best riders in the world lined up to take on Frank Rothenberger’s 1.60m track. Nine of the starting 40 went clear in the first round to progress to the jump-off, where just five were clear second time out.

Kenny went mid-way through the jump-off with the 14-year-old stallion Volnay du Boisdeville (Winningmood x Jalisco B), owned by Vlock Show Stables. Winners of a three-star Grand Prix just a few weeks’ ago, Kenny stormed into the lead when breaking the beam in 45.09 seconds, much to the delight of his owner, Teddy Vlock, who was seen jumping up and down ringside.

USA’s Kent Farrington came close to taking over the lead with the 10-year-old gelding Landon, but was just fractions of a second slower in 45.14 seconds to finish third on the podium. Third last to go, Ward took full advantage of having seen a few go and he shaved almost a second off Kenny’s time with the 15-year-old mare Callas (Casall x Coriano Z), to earn the top prize of €140,250. Kenny picked up €85,000 for second place.

Ward has been the number-one rider for Callas for about a year, but is no stranger to the mare’s talent after scouting her for previous rider, U.S. Under 25 athlete Annabel Revers. “She’s been knocking on the door, so it’s nice for us to break through and get a big win,” said Ward of the Beechwood Stables-owned mare.

“The jump-off was built for us. She cuts a little left and so one, two I could take a straight line. I needed the Hermès to show up well off that rollback. As you saw with everybody, you had to make a sharp turn and it was a bit awkward, but I got away with that one. She performed brilliant.

“It’s always easier when you come after riders like Kent. When you go before you do the best round, but when you go after you certainly are at an advantage.”

Kenny commented: “He was brilliant again tonight. I’ve been second in three five-stars with him, so at some point I hope we will break through. The atmosphere was unbelievable tonight and it’s hard getting a crowd like that, but this one was amazing.”

After celebrating the healthy retirement of the brilliant multiple five-star winner Gazelle, his longtime partner in international show jumping success earlier in the evening, Farrington was thrilled with his horse, who he has ridden since he was seven.

“I’ve brought him up slow. He’s an incredible jumper. His rideability was a bit difficult; that set some speed limits on me still for the jump-off but he’s learning to go a bit quicker,” he said.

“It was a tremendous performance for him, and this was his first night class here in the big ring. I thought he jumped incredible, so I think he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Allen jumps to victory

Bertram Allen won Thursday’s five-star $75,000 CSI5* Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 aboard the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Pacino Amiro (Pacino x NC Amiro), who was bred in Co Donegal by Simon Scott.

From 54 starters, 16 were clear in the first round and with four withdrawing, 12 progressed to the jump-off, where Allen’s time of 38.89 seconds was good enough to see off fellow countryman Conor Swail and Count Me In (0/0 39.29) and earn €25,000.

Andrew Bourns finished fifth when double clear in 42.19secs with the Irish Sport Horse gelding Sea Topblue (Chacco-Blue x Lux Z), bred by James and John Meade.

“I knew going in that I had to have a good round, but I didn’t want to overdo it today with the Grand Prix coming up on Saturday night,” Allen commented. “My plan was to be quick early on because I knew if I caught the first two fences good that my horse is as quick as any other.”

Talking about Aiden McGrory’s gelding, Allen added: “He has really been a fantastic horse for me; he is only 11 years old, but he’s already been to the Olympics (Tokyo), the World Equestrian Games (Herning), and won two five-star Grands Prix here [at WEF].

“This venue has a lot of good things, but the main reason many of us riders come from Europe is for the five-star weeks. It’s great to start this week off on the right note.”

Allen was runner-up in Friday’s 1.45m Table A with the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Over Lux, the horse who was ridden to the individual bronze medal at the 2022 FEI European Championships for Young Rider by his younger brother Harry.

Bred by Pádraic Egan, Over Lux is by Lux Z out of Thornfield Camille (Cruising). The pair were one of 28 clears from 66 starters in the class, crossing the finish line in 59.31 seconds to pick up €7,800. He was just fractions of a second faster than Daniel Coyle in third with Amalia (0/0 59.49), while Conor Swail slotted into fourth with Calciet EB Z (0/0 59.89). Victory went to Germany’s Richard Vogel and Accoton PS in 59.16.

Gazelle retired

Kent Farrington’s 17-year-old mount Gazelle was officially retired from sport on Saturday evening before the five-star Grand Prix, which she won in 2017. The pair had high profile wins across the globe during their partnership, including the Grand Prix of Aachen in 2019, the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva in 2017, and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in 2017 and 2016.

Farrington said: “She made me a better rider and a better horseman, and for that I’m probably the most grateful.”

Gazelle’s owner, Robin Parsky, added: “After 10 years of extraordinary accomplishments at the most prestigious show jumping events in the world, it was a difficult decision for Kent and me to have Gazelle leave her sporting career, but I am delighted to report that she is in terrific condition, and she will be heading for a well-deserved life of green pastures and sunshine.

“To be able to have her fans thank her and know how much we appreciate her, that is what we wanted. Thank you to all of Wellington and everyone here at WEF for helping us do this wonderful tribute to an incredible horse.”