Two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist Mclain Ward is back in the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) winner’s circle after several weeks off due to injury. On Friday of WEF 9, Ward and First Lady, a mare owned by Robin Parsky, topped the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* 1.50m.
A fall on the grass derby field at Wellington International earlier in the season fractured the facet of one vertebrae and sidelined Ward for rest and recovery.
“I feel great,” said Ward after Friday’s win during his second week back in the International Arena. “The horses are fresh and are coming back nicely. These breaks are always frustrating in the moment, but if you stay focused you’ll sometimes look back and say ‘that worked well.’ Right now we’re all playing catch up to Kent [Farrington]—he’s really on a roll so he’s the target in my sights.”
Over Alan Wade’s (IRL) one-round speed course, Ward and First Lady—his partner for four years now—went fairly early and set a time of 57.49 seconds. The only other two contenders to strike within the minute mark of Ward’s leading time were Olympic Champion Ben Maher (GBR) with Enjeu du Grisien, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, and Canada’s Erynn Ballard with Ginger ASK, owned by Ilan Ferder.
“Alan always is challenging but I think he builds riders’ courses where the horses aren’t confused,” Ward noted of the five-star speed track. “It’s a difficult class because he wants it to be challenging enough. So, he set a lot of short distances where you’re trying to carry speed, which usually results in rails. Lady is handy, she's naturally quick and very adjustable so that played a bit into our hand.”
The now 12-year-old Oldenburg mare (Don Diarado x Lordanos) is a fierce competitor in five-star action for Ward at Wellington International in the past. “She’s been great,” Ward said of First Lady. “She had some great placings to start out the year and two weeks ago had a cheap four in this class on Friday but had the time. Today I couldn’t have asked more from her.”
Ward will step up his Paris Olympic mount, Ilex, into the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix during ‘Saturday Night Lights,’ hoping to get back in the hunt for a grand prix victory during WEF 2025 ahead of the coveted $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix to close the season during Rolex Finale Week on March 29.
To see full results from the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* 1.50m, click HERE.
Kenzie Smith and On Tour Top USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, Presented by MARS Equestrian
Ponies got their turn on the derby field during WEF 9 in the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian. With a turnout of 64 ponies, it was a competitive field, but ultimately the win went to Kenzie Smith and On Tour, owned by Charlotte Kelly.
“His barn name is Morley,” Smith said of On Tour, a 12-year-old Welsh Pony gelding. “He’s really sweet; he loves cookies and hugs and kisses.”
The pair jumped around for a score of 92 in round one, and as the only pair to score in the 90s, they were the ones to watch returning for the handy round.
“His first round was really smooth because we had the same canter the whole time,” Smith explained of her first trip around the field. “It didn’t change or get faster. His handy was really good but I liked his first round better.”
In the handy round, the duo delivered what they needed to, bringing home a score of 85.5 for a total of 177.5. They topped the class by a convincing margin of almost five points.
In second place was Sisy Zhou aboard Fortnite. Annie Cooper was third with Spring Fling, owned by Finley Baras.
“I love the big open field where I don’t have to worry about space,” Smith continued about why it was such a special day. “I think he likes it because he can get on a big canter and just stay there. I love how the ponies get a change and compete outside of Pony Island. It’s so big that all our friends are here.”
After a day of fun on the field, Smith will focus her efforts back on the Pony Hunter division, as she hopes to qualify On Tour for the Devon Horse Show in the spring.
To see full results from the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian, click HERE.
