Leslie Howard and Donna Speciale Win $40,000 Sovaro Speed Stake (Shawn McMillen)
Howard was fourth in the lineup and watched as each remaining rider failed to beat her score. Howard's time of 62.81 seconds was the fastest of the eight clear rounds, but she thinks it was just good fortune.
"I think it was just luck," said Howard. "I went in there for a nice day, I didn't push it. I think there were a lot of riders pushing for a win and just got unlucky. McLain (Ward) was brilliant and then had a rail. Peter Wylde had a very fast time and then had a rail. I think it was just the way things ended up."
Richie Moloney (IRL) finished in second place by only eight one hundredths of a second on Ypaja Yando, owned by Equinimity, LLC, going in 62.89 seconds and Charlie Jacobs (USA) was third with 65.72 on Quality Time Tn, owned by CMJ Sporthorse, LLC. A few places on the course trapped the riders. The in and out away from the gate early on the course caused a few rails as well as the Liverpool and a vertical.
"I think it was a well presented and thought-out course. Alan Wade, the course designer, is a genius," said Howard. "He builds these tracks that look so nice on paper and as you walk it and then riders have rails scattered throughout the course, which is always a sign of a great course designer."
Howard's has high hopes for Donna Speciale. She is only 8-years-old and Howard believes the Dutch Warmblood has a promising future. "My mare is really fabulous. I've had her since January and she's won at just about every show she's competed in this year. She has had a phenomenal record. She seems to have all the desire and all the scope. We just have to wait for her to grow up another year and maybe we'll have the real deal."
Richie Moloney's runner-up spot kept the Irish rider on top of the leaderboard in the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge with 198.5 points. Catherine Tyree remains in second place with 147 points and Beezie Madden is third with 145 points.
The Hampton Classic Horse Show runs through Sunday, September 4 at its pristine Bridgehampton, NY, venue. For this year's 41st annual edition, a fourth FEI class has been added to the schedule in addition to more than 200 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered at all levels, from leadline all the way up to grand prix. Classes are also featured for riders with disabilities.
In addition to the six show rings, the Hampton Classic features a Boutique Garden with more than 80 vendors for an amazing shopping experience, a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer's Market, all on its immaculate 60-acre show grounds.
For those who can't make it to the show grounds, a complimentary live webcast of all Grand Prix ring classes will air on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and courtesy of LONGINES. In addition, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen on line at www.wvvh.tv. Most of the Classic's other classes will also be available on ShowNet.biz.
For a link to this coverage and for more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.