McLain Ward and HH Ashley in Turf Tour Week 5’s Grand Prix (Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography)

An early double clear from Jonathan Corrigan and Aries (Argentius x Grannus) set the pace at 33.079 in the jump off. McClain’s first ride with HH Best Buy finished at 31.467 seconds, topping Corrigan and Aries. In his second effort with Tine Le Boheme, the pair put in a double clear and beat out his own jump off time with a 30.590. The Olympian’s final ride aboard HH Ashley differed from Tine Le Boheme’s by a hairsbreadth, finishing the jump off with 30.269. A late double clear by last week’s Turf Tour Grand Prix champion, Gianni Gabrielli and HH Rombaucheau finished with 32.170, slipping into the fourth between McLain and Corrigan.

“We brought two young horses, HH Best Buy and Tine Le Boheme, who are both nine years old, to the Turf Tour as it was a great chance for them to get in a good class and build toward bigger things,” said Ward. “Ashley knows this game and today’s class was preparation the bigger Grand Prixes in the middle of circuit. I’m excited the young horses handled the turf field so well, and am a big fan [of the Turf Tour]; it’s a great place to develop the young horses in a relaxed atmosphere and its always well produced and a nice opportunity for the horses to come out and get the experience.”

Corrigan echoed similar sentiments about his ride and the Turf Tour, saying, “This was the first time I’ve jumped Aries on the grass, and I thought he handled it very well. It’s a beautiful course and the last line to the last fence was a bit of a challenge. You jump the oxer and go left to the double, and then again left straight to the last vertical, but it worked out well and is a very nice course. This is my second time showing on the Turf Tour, with the first time being last week, and I love it. It’s a great environment for my horses and opportunity to be competitive in the 1.40 classes.”

The adjacent sand arena hosted Low, and Medium Schooling Jumpers, Childrens/Adult Jumpers and Child/Adult Jumper Classic divisions. The Lows were won by Karyn Foley aboard Evanieke and Jennifer Barnhard with Winsome Maverick. Mediums saw Sarah E. Wayda with Contentus and Jenny Rankin with CHS Inception victorious, while the Childrens/Adult Jumper 1.15M and the Child/Adult Jumper Classic were ruled by Devon A. Degen and Zippo. The Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper 1.20-1.25M and Junior/Amateur Owner Classic saw Lynsey K. Whiteacre and Zorzuela Leuze Z at the top of the field.

Wednesday’s 1.30-1.35m Jumper classes were won by 2012 Olympic Medalist Ben Maher aboard Jane Forbes Clark’s Aristo Z and Agatha Van Gysel Langlois and her mount Terra Calamaco. The Low Schooling Jumpers were won by Jayme Taylor with Chester T and Nicholas dello Joio with Corlida. Mediums went to Amanda R. Cole with Quick Latinus and Jonathan Corrigan with Merlin. High Schooling Jumper winners were Alexander Zetterman with Contessa and Amanda R. Cole with Quick Latinus. The 6-Year-Old Division was won by Senan Hayes with Konquer BC and the 7-Year-Old 1.30M went to Amanda R. Cole and Jericho.

The Turf Tour’s Grand Prix, 1.30-1.35m, and other jumper divisions are intended to act as a catalyst for the growth and development of horses and riders. “Our goal is giving competitors the chance to experience everything, from riding on the turf polo fields at the International Polo Club to showing under the lights in an indoor arena,” said George D’Ambrosio, co-organizer of the Turf Tour with US Olympian Nona Garson and Craig Bergman. Week Six of the Turf Tour will take place on the beautiful grounds of the International Polo Club on Wednesday and Friday, February 10 and 12, 2016.

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