McLain Ward may reside in Brewster, New York (USA), but he feels right at home at the Royal Horse Show. The two-time Olympic gold medalist has been attending the Royal for three decades, and he won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto Presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport for the fifth time in his career Saturday night in the Coca-Cola Coliseum, this time with Jordan Molga M.
A nine-day showcase of equestrian sport, the Royal Horse Show show features a wide variety of disciplines, from international show jumping and dressage to national show hunters, indoor eventing, and an array of unique horse breeds. The CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto Presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport is the marquee event of the competition.
Ward and “Jordan,” a 12-year-old gelding, bested a four-horse jump-off in front of a sold-out crowd, crossing the timers of Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) short course in 36.34 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Helios du Moulin finished second (37.68 seconds), with Jad Dana (LEB) and Itchcock de Dames third with a rail down in the jump-off (4/36.74s).
“Jordan has been coming into great form,” Ward said. “He’s been 100% on his game all fall.”
Clear rounds came early in the competition, with three of the first four pairs through the gate executing faultless performances. But then the course began to unveil its nuances. The final line posed the most problems as the oxer jumping into the final combination on course fell repeatedly, as did a delicate plank away from the ingate, set about two-thirds through the course. As 45 percent of the class finished on 4 faults, Ward was the only athlete in the second half of the class to earn his way into the jump-off. Lillie Keenan (USA) and Amy Millar (CAN) came close to adding their names to the short list, but a single time fault kept them from advancing.
“When the early combinations went clear, I thought, ‘Fair due to them.’ I couldn’t go any more delicate or bigger [with my design],'” Costa Cabral said. “I thought I was going to have five or six clear [clears], and we had four and two with time faults, so I’m chuffed.”
Ward ultimately had most desirable position in the jump-off, allowing him to watch Vale, Dana, and Daniel Coyle (IRL) take their turns, some with mistakes. Dana and Coyle dropped rails at the same penultimate vertical, while Vale jumped clear but left the door ajar with a slightly more conservative track.
“I’m thrilled with [Helios du Moulin] tonight, and the jump-off was fun,” said Vale, whose horse was jumping in just his second competition at the 1.60m height. “There were a couple of places where I thought there was something there, but it didn’t seem like the right time to take the risk, so I knew [Ward] had a good chance to beat me.”
“To finish third in the five-star World Cup qualifier here is a big achievement for us,” added Dana. “I’ve only shown [Itchcock de Dames] once indoors before this week…This is his first season jumping at this level, and he’s proving that he can do it.”
When Ward entered the ring as the competition’s decider, he planned an assertive start to the course to allow himself more time to respect the tallest jumps at the jump-off’s end.
“My horse has a big stride, and I tried to use that stride to my advantage,” he shared. “I think I made up the time in the beginning and then was able to keep it together coming home.”
Ward was partnered with Jordan Molga M last fall, and while the partnership came together quickly, results slowed when the gelding needed time to recover after a bout of colic. Jordan Molga M missed a planned start in the 2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals in Fort Worth (USA) and was away from international competition for four months.
Starting back up in international competition in September, Ward purposefully and gradually built the bay up with the aim of being back in peak form for World Cup season. The pair has improved its result with every leg of the North American League, finishing sixth in Traverse City (USA) and fourth at Washington (USA) before topping the podium in Toronto (USA), the fourth of the league’s seven legs for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, set for Gothenburg (SWE) in April.
“[Jordan] has actually come back stronger,” Ward shared. “This horse has proven to handle indoors well, and if he feels in form, we’ll definitely aim toward [the Finals].”
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto brought to a close international jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show, part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Gazing across the expansive trade fair that surrounded him, Ward reflected on the growth he’s witnessed at the event, acknowledging his sport’s deep ties to agriculture and the importance of introducing bringing the country to the city.
“This place is very special to me, very close to my heart,” he said. “I think this is a brilliant event that keeps us in touch with agriculture, which we are losing in the world. These are the things that we should strive to stay connected to.”
That sentiment left Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Chief Executive Officer Cyrus Cooper feeling inspired.
“There’s something unique about Toronto, and we owe it to the legacy of the Royal to continue this journey and to continue the passion that ignites us all,” he said. “We have to continue to strive for progress — we can’t chase perfection — and we have to understand that we have to make the most of the opportunities out there to introduce this incredible sport to many people around the world.”
Results here.
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