Top Riders to Compete in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York

Spectators will get to see World Equestrian Games show-jumping team gold medalists at the 2018 American Gold Cup competition.

2018 WEG team gold medalists Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue were the winners of last year’s American Gold Cup. Photo: Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group

Fresh from his team show-jumping gold-medal win at 2018 World Equestrian Games last week, McLain Ward is entered to compete at the 2018 American Gold Cup this week, featuring the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI****–W for the American Gold Cup, Sunday, September 30.

McLain, who competed Clinta at WEG, is entered to compete this week at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York, with three horses—Contagious, HH Gigi’s Girl and Tradition de la Roque. McLain’s WEG teammate, Devin Ryan won last year’s Sunday grand prix with his WEG partner, Eddie Blue, whom he also finished second in the 2018 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final last spring in Paris, France.

McLain Ward’s long-time partner, Rothchild, will be retired at the show Photo: Amy K. Dragoo/AIMMEDIA

Before Sunday’s grand prix, McLain will retire his legendary partner, Rothchild, a crowd favorite. Having been together since 2007, McLain and “Bongo” have an impressive list of accolades: Team bronze and fifth individually at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy in 2014, individual gold and team bronze at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, winner of the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead and second in the $500,000 CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival. McLain and his team will speak about the renowned warmblood gelding and show a video showcasing highlights from Rothchild’s career. Throughout the week, spectators can sign a retirement card as and take photos with a cutout of Rothchild.

Following the grand prix award’s ceremony, McLain and several grand prix riders will sign autographs on the grand prix field.

Saturday will also include top-level competition with the $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic and the $75,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4****.

Spectators get up close and personal at the American Gold Cup. Photo: Phelps Media Group

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available online. They are $20 per adult and $15 per child (4-12 years old), seniors (65 and older) and military members. Children 3 and under are free. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Both days include pony rides, face painting and shopping, and Macaroni Kid Westchester North will host crafts and activities from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., including horse-shoe painting, story time and a chance for “pony” style hair-dos. Guests can also stop by New Chance Dog Rescue to meet dogs looking for forever homes.

The Big Apple Circus performing at the 2017 American Gold Cup. Photo: Phelps Media Group

Sunday will also feature acts from the Big Apple Circus, including Jenny Vidbel and her rescue dogs, husband and wife acrobatic team Duo Fusion and comedic juggling by Adam Kuchler, all presented by ringmaster Stephanie Monseu. Another Sunday highlight will be the Education Fair, presented by Miller & Associates, in the Hedge Ring where visitors can meet representatives from and learn more about the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, which enables students from middle school through college to compete from beginner to advanced levels.

To buy tickets for Saturday and Sunday, visit here.

The rest of the competition, which kicks off Wednesday, September 26, is free to the public. Highlights include:

• Thursday, 2 p.m.: $35,000 Trelawny Farm Welcome Stake

• Friday, 2 p.m. $75,000 American Gold Cup qualifier presented by Windsor Show Stables

These two competitions are scheduled to be live-streamed for free at www.HorseNetwork.com. You can watch Sunday’s FEI Longines Jumping World Cup™ New York competition with a subscription to FEITV. For subscription information, click here.

To view the full schedule of events for the 2018 American Gold Cup, click here .

Sunday’s feature event is one of 14 qualifiers for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League. Competitions in the United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting qualifiers to determine the North American riders who will compete in the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE), April 3-7, 2019. 

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