McLain Ward’s Gamble Paid Off in the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final

Las Vegas, NV – April 19, 2007 – McLain Ward (USA) and Sapphire stunned the crowd with a precise and quick round in the opening show jumping competition of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. In the speed class, with rails converted to time, Ward’s final score of 63.78 seconds topped a speed duel initiated by the Germans. Markus Beerbaum, who went early in the lineup, posted a score of 65.29 on Leena to finish second. His teammate, Marcus Ehning on Gitania, clocked in at 65.58 for third. Ward was pleased with the outcome.

“I tried to take some risks tonight,” Ward admitted, “Warming up, I knew my horse was not as fast as some of the others, so I was going to have to take the inside turns. The plan went my way, but it just as could have easily gone the other way. We’re in a good position, but we still have some work to do, this is a tough competition.”

Although Course Designer Guilherme Jorge Nogueira provided several time saving options, only Ward was able to successfully negotiate the more difficult shorter route. “I am really happy that McLain took the risk and showed how it could be done,” said Nogueira.

“Even if I went after McLain, I wouldn’t have changed my plan,” stated Beerbaum. “I knew my horse was fast enough to be up there on the first day, which is what is important, because it is a long Championship.”

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final I

April 19, 2007

Las Vegas, NV

1. Saaphire, McLain Ward, 63.78

2. Leena, Markus Beerbaum, 65.29

3. Gitania, Marcus Ehning, 65.58

4. Tresor V, Steve Guerdat, 65.93

5. Candy, Alois Ollmann-Schweckhorst, 66.75

6. Coster, Christian Ahlmann, 66.82

7. VDL Groep Fleche Rouge, Leopold Van Asten, 67.16

8. Shutterfly, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaurm, 67.53

9. Ideo du Thot, Beat Mandli

10. Casadora, Lauren Hough, 68.63

Canadians

22. Callisto, Jill Henselwood, 76.19

30. Archie Bunker, John Pearce, 81.12

Show Jumping excitement continues on Friday evening with the Rolex FEI World Cup Final II. Thirty seven of these horses will compete in reverse order of finish in Thursday’s class. The results of Friday’s class will set the starting lineup for Sunday’s final two rounds which will determine this year’s Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Champion. Horses that do not qualify for Sunday’s Final will compete in Saturday’s Grand Prix of Las Vegas.