April 25, 2019 
Adrienne Sternlicht’s speed mount goes by Fantast. But Fanfast is the more accurate moniker.
In 2018, the Belgian Warmblood claimed a convincing win in the world speed championship, the Longines Speed Challenge, at the Longines Masters of New York with Canada’s Erynn Ballard in the tack.
Now piloted by Sternlicht, the 14-year-old stallion looks poised for a repeat performance. The speedy pair topped a field of 41 to the capture the win in the Masters One EQ Exchange 1.45m CSI5* on Thursday at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
“He’s an awesome speed horse, he’s naturally very quick,” said the World Equestrian Games team gold medalist.
“I actually went into today not planning on going for the win, but I think sometimes in a smaller ring where all the distances are related you can pick up on a flow and everything happens nicely, you can have a really fast time.”
That relaxed tactic is precisely what it looked like as they casually strolled about the ring, before laying down a blisteringly efficient track to stop the clock in 26.11 seconds.
“I honestly didn’t know I went into the lead when I jumped the last jump,” continued Sternlicht, “but I am very happy.”
The 25-year-old is aiming Fantast at Friday’s Longines Speed Challenge next. But she’ll have her work cut out for her.
Ballard is back to defend her title and with a second place finish in Thursday’s Masters One EQ Exchange 1.45m aboard a new mount, 10-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood gelding Judge Hof Ter Zeedycke, she’s not giving it up without a fight. (Their time was 26.19 seconds).
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny finished third in a time of 26.27 seconds with Cazador LS.
Catch all the action from the Longines Masters of New York live on EEM.tv.
