Often, equestrian sport is decided in mere fractions. Tenths, or even hundredths of seconds are not unusal deciding factors at the uppermost levels. Last night, McLain Ward won the $34,000 Jolera International Jumper class by more than four seconds over his closest rival, Jessica Springsteen.

Following a fantastic “all-Canadian” opening weekend at the Royal Horse Show, yesterday marked the start of the prestigious international division. Twenty horse and rider combinations tackled the track, set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, whose subtle angles and exact placement of jumps tonight somehow managed to create a course which was both twisty and turns yet wide open and galloping all at the same time.

“I tried to give a few options to the riders in the turns but also in the strides and gallops,” explained Jorge following the class. “Today’s first class this afternoon also had some horses which will go tomorrow in the World Cup, so we are already building up from 1.45m this afternoon to 1.50m tonight. But the ones on top tonight really tried to go fast as well. McLain is always a very fast rider.”

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