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.”