Five countries were represented in Sunday’s $200,000 CSI4* Blue Diamond Cup presented by Old Salem Farm, and five entries rode faultlessly over Alan Wade’s initial 17-effort, 1.55m course before jumping off for top honors. Only one managed a double-clear trip: Nicolette Hirt-Slade (USA) riding Dalton van de Lindhoeve Z (Dagano Vdw Z x Walme Z).
Hirt-Slade and Chatwood Farms LLC’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding were the pathfinders over the shortened track in the Blue Diamond Cup, setting the time to beat at 40.08 seconds. Although that time would have kept them on top of the leaderboard through the ensuing rounds, it was ultimately their fault-free performance that secured them the win.
“He’s a really special horse,” Hirt-Slade said. “I’ve had him since he was 8, and we’ve kind of taken our time with him. He’s a really funny guy and quite quirky. We don’t really jump him at home, so this is really a huge attribute to my team. This was his first four-star Grand Prix, and I was actually a bit wary of jumping it. Both members of our team (groom Charlotte Dickin and trainer David Power) really pushed me to do it and just ride positively. I’m honestly a little shocked, but absolutely thrilled with the horse and the team behind him.
“I thought the course today was fantastic,” she continued. “I’m a huge fan of Alan Wade. I’ve always loved his courses, and I think they all ride very, very well. I didn’t think anything was overly tricky; the combinations actually suited my horse. The course had a great flow to it. There were a few scope questions and a bit of a longer track, but I thought it jumped very well, especially in the jump-off. This horse is really fast across the ground, so I just tried to stay out of his way and do my part not to mess it up.
“Old Salem is one of my favorite shows, if not my favorite show in America. We’re actually based about five minutes from here, so it’s really our home show in the summer. It’s just fantastic. We got so much rain through the night and this morning, and even walking the course, I was very impressed with how well the arena held up today.”
The rest of the top five all finished on four-fault scores. Jonathan McCrea (USA) took second in 40.16 seconds aboard Chaccotilino PS (Chacco-Blue x Centadel), Windsor Show Stables’ 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding. Ireland’s Philip McGuane earned third for his 40.48-second time aboard Evergate Stables LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Paso Doble SCF (Diktator vd Boslandhoeve x Cassini I). Vanessa Hood brought home fourth for Israel, stopping the clock in 40.77 seconds with Take Two LLC’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Kalidah (Namelus R x Lupicor). Fifth went to Maggie McAlary (USA) and Indian Quality Z (I'M Special de Muze x Quidam de Revel), McAlary LLC’s 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding, who tripped the timers in 43.37 seconds.
As part of the Blue Diamond Cup awards ceremony, Charlotte Dickin was also honored for her hard work caring for Dalton van de Lindhoeve Z. She received the $500 Winning Groom’s Award presented by Palm Beach Equine.
“I’ve been grooming for Nicolette for four years, and this has been the highlight of my time with her,” Dickin said. “‘Drake’ actually has the biggest personality in the barn, and it’s absolutely hilarious. He’ll play with anything; he’s always keeping himself entertained. He also knows when to show up on the big days. I do absolutely nothing special in our prep for big competitions, because every time we try something special, he doesn’t like it. The trick with him is to treat everything just like a normal day.”
