Bridgehampton, NY —  McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, dominated the $30,000 Nicolock Open Jumper Challenge finishing first, third, and fourth at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY, on Saturday.

Ward won on Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve, owned by Louisburg Farm, the first of the three that he rode in the jump-off. The pair stopped the clock at 37.44 seconds, and set a blazing pace for the other thirteen that made it to the jump-off.

“I know he is a very quick horse,” Ward said of Pjotter. “I didn’t want to do anything foolish, but I wanted to really set a hard pace to catch.”
Andrew Bourns of Ireland tried hard to beat that pace on Round Thorn Madious, but was unsuccessful, riding in a double clear time of 38.79 seconds. Ward was third on his Oh D’ Eole and fourth on Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm.

“It was actually quite a big thrill for us. It was quite a difficult course,” said Ward. “I had three very nice, careful, somewhat experienced horses that all performed beautifully for us. Pjotter is probably most experienced so I wanted to set the pace with him, but the other two also responded well.”

Ward won an open jumper class in the grand prix ring on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday he has a chance to win a class for the fourth consecutive day in the featured event, the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier. Ward holds the record with five wins in the Grand Prix and if he wins again on Sunday it will be his third consecutive victory.

One of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation, the Hampton Classic managed to keep almost its entire competition schedule, albeit compressed from eight days into five. The Classic runs through Sunday, September 4.

The Classic’s revised show schedule is available on line at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com. The Classic is also providing frequent updates on its Facebook page.

For those who can’t make it to the show grounds, 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 online at www.wvvh.tv.

Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available on the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or by calling (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charitable corporation.