McLain Ward made a statement on Thursday afternoon by winning the $62,500 BrainJava 5* Qualifier to open Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) action at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) in La Quinta, CA. A six-time U.S. Olympian and current world no. 8, Ward piloted First Lady, owned by Robin Parsky, to victory and proved the DIHP Roadrunners are a force on home turf.
“She’s been top three in almost everything she’s gone in all over the world,” said Ward of the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare (Don Diarado x Lordanos). “I’m very proud of how she’s come along at this level. It was difficult enough; it’s a strong field out here in the desert. I got a little lucky to beat one of my students, Lillie Keenan. Sometimes you need a little luck on your side.”
Fellow American and Ward’s student of several years, Keenan held on to the top spot until Ward returned last in a 10-horse jump-off to pip the up-and-coming talent. He stole the win by less than a second after stopping the clock at 39.50 seconds.
Keenan — a member of the Trelawny Trailblazers — settled for runner-up in 40.33 seconds aboard her 10-year-old stallion Kick On. Rounding out the podium, Roadrunner and native Californian Ashlee Bond (ISR) took third riding the always competitive Donatello 141 to a final time of 40.75 seconds.
“I love coming to California,” said Ward, who currently anchors the DIHP Roadrunners and will compete First Lady in the fan-favorite team competition on Friday evening. “The Major League team format is exciting. It allows for different levels of riders and horses to compete in a competitive sport, and it’s easy to follow. I think it’s grown in popularity over the last several seasons. I was part of the team from the Desert Horse Park in the inaugural year and I’m proud to be part of it again. They’re wonderful supporters of our sport.”
The Roadrunners currently sit first in the MLSJ team standings with everything on the line in front of a home crowd ahead of The Final on Saturday, December 14.
Action continues at MLSJ La Quinta on Friday as teams go to battle in the ClipMyHorse.tv 5* Team Competition ahead of the week’s featured event in the coveted $1M Coachella Cup on Saturday night. Tune in live on MLSJ TV.
Results here.
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