Contagious is Uncatchable in $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

McLain Ward (USA) and Contagious were uncatchable in the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), stopping the short-course timers in 40.4 seconds for the win. Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) grabbed two top-five placings aboard Gochman Sport Horse LLC entries, piloting Cornwall BH, the 2008 Holsteiner stallion (Con Air x Cambridge), to second on a time of 49.83 seconds, while also claiming fourth aboard Luibanta BH, the 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare (Luidam x Abantos), in a time of 41.56 seconds on four faults. Darragh Kenny (IRL) rounded out the podium in the irons with the 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Cartani x Heraldik II) owned in partnership with Whiterock Farm Ltd., Carthano, putting in the fastest four-fault round in a time of 41.43 seconds. Canada’s top finisher was Mario Deslauriers aboard Bardolina 2 in 7th spot.

The Ghuiherme Jorge (BRA) course design saw 100 entries challenge the first round, with only six pairs earning the chance to tour the jump-off track. Ward and the 2009 German Sport Horse gelding (Contagio x For Keeps) owned by Beechwood Stables LLC managed to make the best of a tough situation with a field stacked with stiff competition, he shared:

“It’s a tough situation. It’s a three-star event, but because of the state of the world and our sport right now, you have 100 [competing] today,” he analyzed. “To me, that was like a five-star 1.55m track. I’m lucky to have a horse like Contagious who’s up to that, but you also saw a lot of horses today who were surprised by it.“

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Contagious sustained an injury just before the Pan American Games, and has been slowly coming back to top form this summer, Ward reported. “We took our time and brought him back really thoroughly, and he’s been building up through the summer. He’s really felt like a different horse! I think the time off helped him mature a bit,” he elaborated. “He feels really healthy, and has basically either won or been the fastest in every Grand Prix he’s been in. He’s starting to fire all cylinders.

“He’s a very fast horse, and very careful,” Ward detailed. “If I have a rail down in a jump-off, it’s through a double where maybe I try to do too much. Today, I went fast everywhere and just took a breath at the double. He jumped it beautifully, and then I brought him home. He’s typically quick and it went our way!”

On his return to the venue, Ward noted that COVID-19 restrictions have not dampened competitor experience. “The footing is great, and the facilities are phenomenal. Everybody has made a huge effort here to make this place first-class and to also run it during this difficult time. You can’t help when you walk around here, you see the potential of this facility.”

Reflecting on his own 2020, Ward relayed that he’s hopeful that the future is bright: “This year has been difficult for everyone. Hopefully in the new year, life and sport can start to go back to normal… That’s what we all wish for. In the meantime,” he concluded, “we’re trying to make good decisions for our horses, give them a rest when they need it, build them up when they need it, and be in a good place come 2021 with hopefully the Olympics on the horizon.”

Jordan Coyle and Picador Conquer $37,000 EquiSafe Global Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Picador’s performance could not be topped in the $37,000 EquiSafe Global Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*, halting the speed phase timers at 25.146 seconds. Eugenio Garza (MEX) and Caracas, the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cachas x Unknown) owned by Nerijus Sipaila, earned second on a speed phase time of 25.43 seconds, while Kristen VanderVeen (USA) claimed the yellow rosette aboard Bull Run’s Almighty, the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, on a time of 26.079 seconds. Canada’s Erynn Ballard was 8th aboard Maestro Van Het Binnenveld.

Coyle and the 2007 British Warmblood gelding (Lupicor x Concorde) owned by Elan Farm toured the Ghuiherme Jorge (BRA) course design without seeing many riders go, he admitted, but having a naturally quick horse made all the difference. “I rode one horse before Picador in the class, so I kind of knew the distances. I didn’t get to see Eugenio go, but I saw Kristen’s ride and she was fast. Luckily, I have one of the fastest horses there is! The course was nice, but honestly, it’s the horse,” Coyle emphasized about where he gained the advantage in a class of 42 starters.

“The faster you go with him, the less chance there is that you’ll have a jump down. It’s ridiculous, but it’s the way it is with him. He was very fast to the double. I did seven strides, I believe, and I think everyone else did eight. He’s won so much this year, it’s hard to believe!” Coyle and team chose to stay close to home in New York for the majority of the year, and found that there was plenty of winning to be done at the national level.

“At Saugerties, it wasn’t FEI, but I don’t really need the FEI points. They’re not going to change my life, I don’t think. I stayed there for the money, and was very lucky I got some,” he shared. For the Tryon Fall Series, Coyle emphasized that he just had to add TIEC to his calendar after first experiencing the venue in 2019. “I was here last year and loved it. I was just coming back from my injury and it was my first show. This year is perfect! Why wouldn’t you come here? If you can get in, you should be here.”

Coyle relayed that he is thankful for how positive his year has gone, and that “everything seems to be going right. I can’t believe what’s happened since quarantine. I have good people with me, and obviously have a lot more horses [than before]. It couldn’t be going better than it is. Let’s hope it continues!” he concluded. Coyle will continue to compete throughout the Tryon Fall Series and will be one to watch in the $137,000 MD Barnmaster Grand Prix CSI 3* Saturday, which will be live streaming at www.Tryon.com/streaming.

McLain Ward and Elke Maria M Win $1,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

McLain Ward (USA) and Elke Maria M, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Cornet Obelensky x Carthago) belonging to Willem Greve Sportpaarden BV, stopped the timers in 23.02 seconds to earn top honors in the $1,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* Wednesday at TIEC. Hunter Holloway (USA) and Pepita Con Spita, the Hays Investment Corp. entry and 2011 Westphalian mare (Con Spirit 7 x Come On), completed the speed phase in 23.585 seconds for reserve honors in the class of 50 entries, while Teddy Vlock (ISR) cleared the speed phase in 24.253 seconds to earn third with Charly Brown, the Vlock Show Stables-owned 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Burggraaf).

For full results from the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.
For full results from the $37,000 EquiSafe Global Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*, click here.
For full results from the $1,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*, click here.

Tryon Fall 5 continues through Sunday, October 18, with the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicking off Friday at 8:30am EST in the Grand Hunter Ring and followed by the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3* at 12:30pm EST in Tryon Stadium. While all remaining 2020 competitions at TIEC are closed to spectators, highlight classes can be streamed live for free at www.Tryon.com/streaming.