Abdel Saïd’s Traverse City Debut is a Winning One
Abdel Saïd & Calvaro. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography
Belgium’s Abdel Saïd made an unforgettable debut at the Traverse City Horse Shows on Friday, clinching victory in the $117,000 CSI5*-W Welcome. Held as part of the prestigious Traverse City Tournament of Champions, this event was the first qualifying round of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League. With an impressive turnout of 56 horses in the two-round competition, the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring witnessed some of the world’s finest athletes in action.
Among the top competitors were recent Paris Olympians, including Mclain Ward (USA), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Erynn Ballard (CAN), and Daniel Bluman (ISR). The course, designed by Alan Wade (IRL), proved challenging but achievable, as 16 riders advanced to the jump-off. Abdel Saïd, riding his eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Calvaro (Cascadello x Quidam de Revel), owned by As Trading, delivered an extraordinary performance. With a time of 34.07 seconds, he narrowly beat Mclain Ward (USA) to secure the top spot, marking his debut in Traverse City with an emphatic win.
A Shift in Leadership
The jump-off saw multiple changes in leadership as some of the sport’s biggest names battled for the top position. Conor Swail (IRL) initially set the pace, only to have Kent Farrington (USA), currently ranked 10th in the world, overtake him. Then came Mclain Ward, ranked 7th globally, who seemed poised to take the win. However, it was Saïd’s impeccable timing and strategic risk-taking that ultimately stole the spotlight.
Saïd’s ability to navigate the challenging course and expertly guide Calvaro through crucial turns, particularly in the rollback to the second-to-last fence, was the key to his success. His careful planning and the synergy between horse and rider were evident as they crossed the finish line with the fastest time of the day.
“When you have Mclain and Kent, your bar has to be a bit higher, or you won’t win anything,” remarked Saïd, who is ranked among the top 70 in the world. The Belgian rider’s victory was even more remarkable considering Calvaro’s young age and relative inexperience at this level of competition.
A Triumphant Return
Saïd’s triumph in Traverse City marks an exciting return to the spotlight after he was sidelined by an ankle injury that cost him a spot in the Summer Olympics. “My first plan was the Olympic Games,” Saïd explained, “but after I broke my ankle, I really wanted to do something new. I have followed the circuit in the U.S., Major League [Show Jumping], and the shows here in Michigan, and I said, ‘why not?’ Normally, I wouldn’t be leaving Europe at this time of year because we have so much going on at home, but I’m so happy I did because this is incredible, and it’s nice to compete with these guys.”
Indeed, the competition in Traverse City featured some of the best riders in the world, making Saïd’s victory even more meaningful. “Calvaro is only eight, and I was even doubting whether I should ride him in the class, but he jumped fantastic. I’m competitive, so I can’t go into a jump-off like that and accept that I’m going to do a schooling round,” he continued. “I think when a horse works with you—like at the rollback to the second-to-last fence today—you need them to be a little bit freaky to take that kind of risk.”
Top Finishers of the Day
The final standings of the event saw some of the sport’s elite riders finish within striking distance of Saïd. Mclain Ward, aboard Quimi del Maset, finished second with a jump-off time of 35.01 seconds, while Kent Farrington and Toulayna rounded out the top three, completing their run in 35.15 seconds.
Here is the full list of placed competitors:
- Abdel Saïd (BEL)
Horse: Calvaro
Faults: 0 | Time: 71.54 sec | Jump-off: 0 faults, 34.07 sec - Mclain Ward (USA)
Horse: Quimi del Maset
Faults: 0 | Time: 72.37 sec | Jump-off: 0 faults, 35.01 sec - Kent Farrington (USA)
Horse: Toulayna
Faults: 0 | Time: 71.07 sec | Jump-off: 0 faults, 35.15 sec - Conor Swail (IRL)
Horse: Count me In
Faults: 0 | Time: 72.42 sec | Jump-off: 0 faults, 35.34 sec - Conor Swail (IRL)
Horse: Casturano
Faults: 0 | Time: 71.41 sec | Jump-off: 0 faults, 35.82 sec
source press release Traverse City Horse Show
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