Bridgehampton, NY - The student surpassed the teacher when Adrienne Sternlicht beat McLain Ward's clear round time by nearly a second to win the $15,000 Merrill Lynch Speed Derby, presented by Sotheby's International Realty, at the 41st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. 

 

"Mclain told me before the class that it was essentially my class to lose," said the 23-year-old resident of Greenwich, CT. "I think he wanted me to beat him, so I was really happy that I was able to execute it."

                     Adrienne Sternlicht and Raia D' Helby Win Merrill Lynch Speed Derby

Riding Raia D' Helby, owned by Starlight Farms, LLC, Sternlicht mastered the course in 85.878 seconds, nearly a second faster than Ward's time of 86.793 seconds. Sternlicht believed it was due to the jumping style of her 11-year-old Selle Francais mare.

 

"I think I gained time on McLain because my horse doesn't jump as lofty as his and is a little quicker across the ground," said Sternlicht. "I just tried to stay really smooth and play to her strengths and she was amazing. My horse is used to jumping in bigger classes, so I knew I could challenge her in terms of speed. She's very careful and very brave, so I think where other horses needed to take extra time, I was able to stay on my pace. I think I let her down in the speed class yesterday, so I was happy that I was able to pull through for my horse."

 

One of Ward's other students, Lauren Fischer, 18, of Bedford Hills, NY, bested a field of 50 competitors to win the $10,000 T & R Development Junior Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. The top 30 riders qualified for the $25,000 Campbell Stables Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumping Derby on Sunday. Fischer took the lead early on Tosca Du Feugre, owned by Cheryl Fischer, and had to wait to see if their clear round score in a time of 80.993 seconds would win the class.

 

"I was really hoping, but you could never be too sure," said Fischer. "There was really tough, tough competition in the class. I just wanted to go for a really nice smooth round with my horse. It's so exciting to win. It's a dream come true."

  

Coco Fath and Huckleberry, owned by Hillside Farm, LLC, went last and nearly beat Fischer's time, going in 82.192 seconds, but it would not have mattered to Fischer. "My heart was beating a little bit faster when I saw her go around, but I knew either way I would end up really well. I cared more about how amazing my horse jumped. If we got second place, she still would have won to me." 

  

 

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 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.