Saugerties, N.Y. – July 31, 2017 – Despite being partners for just two short months, Valinski S and Shawn Casady added a second grand prix victory to their resume on Sunday during the $50,000 Equo Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson. The duo represented Wyndmont Farm’s Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman, topping the nine-horse jump-off with a double-clear effort that was a full second faster than the runner-up.
Casady began riding Valinski S at the end of May for Wyndmont, and they picked up their first victory during the first week of HITS-on-the-Hudson in the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix. After a successful two weeks at the Lake Placid Horse Show, the pair improved their partnership and returned to HITS-on-the-Hudson to win Sunday’s main event.
“There were a couple of options, but I turned tight and went fast where I could,” explained Casady. “There was an inside turn after a double that we decided to take. A lot of people ended up having the out of the double down because they came in a little too high, but Valinski came and he snapped his legs up and was quick.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot tighter with each other,” continued Casady. “Our first round was really in sync and smooth — the numbers were nice and everything gelled together beautifully. Lake Placid pushed us because it was a little bit harder and on the grass. I got to tweak a few things and it made a really big difference in the ride and taught me more about Valinski and myself. It was really productive and it proved itself today.”
During the fourth week of HITS-on-the-Hudson Casady was also successful in the hunter ring with one of Wyndmont’s newly imported horses, Mission Point. The 5-year-old Warmblood gelding won all five of the Low Hunter classes during its debut in the show ring.
“There were over 40 horses in the class and he won all four jumping and under saddle,” said Casady. “You wish it could be like that every single time! He’s such a handsome horse, I ride around at the shows and everybody looks at him. He’s very appealing and he’s been so straightforward. Being able to win all four jumping classes during your first show — you can’t really ask for much more than that. I feel a little bit spoiled. He’s such a quality horse.”
The success for Wyndmont is due to the close teamwork between Casady and trainers Beard and Dorman.
“Shawn works very hard and has done a great job with all of the horses,” explained Beard. “Valinski has proved that he has so much heart and will try for any rider, but Shawn consistently gives him a great ride. Shawn has also done a great job working very closely with Michael to create a great program for the young horses so they can have a good experience every time they go in the ring.
“It’s always exciting to work with a young rider like Shawn who is very dedicated to the sport,” concluded Beard. “We are happy to have him as part of our team and it’s proving to be a winning recipe this summer.”
Wyndmont Inc. will now travel to Balmoral Park for HITS Chicago as their string of young horses continues to gain valuable experience at the country’s most prestigious horse show venue. For more information about Wyndmont, please visit www.wyndmont.com.
