Wellington, Florida, United States – March 07, 2025 – Two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) is back in the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) winner’s circle after several weeks off due to injury. On Friday of WEF 9, Ward and First Lady, a mare owned by Robin Parsky, topped the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI 5* 1.50m.  

A fall on the grass derby field at Wellington International earlier in the season fractured the facet of one vertebrae and sidelined Ward for rest and recovery.

“I feel great,” said Ward after Friday’s win during his second week back in the International Arena. “The horses are fresh and are coming back nicely. These breaks are always frustrating in the moment, but if you stay focused you’ll sometimes look back and say ‘that worked well.’ Right now we’re all playing catch up to Kent [Farrington]—he’s really on a roll so he’s the target in my sights.”

Over Alan Wade’s (IRL) one-round speed course, Ward and First Lady—his partner for four years now—went fairly early and set a time of 57.49 seconds.

The only other two contenders to strike within the minute mark of Ward’s leading time were Olympic Champion Ben Maher (GBR) with Enjeu du Grisien, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, and Canada’s Erynn Ballard (CAN) with Ginger ASK, owned by Ilan Ferder. 

“Alan always is challenging but I think he builds riders’ courses where the horses aren’t confused,” Ward noted of the five-star speed track. “It’s a difficult class because he wants it to be challenging enough. So, he set a lot of short distances where you’re trying to carry speed, which usually results in rails. Lady is handy, she’s naturally quick and very adjustable so that played a bit into our hand.”

The now 12-year-old Oldenburg mare (Don Diarado x Lordanos) is a fierce competitor in five-star action for Ward at Wellington International in the past. “She’s been great,” Ward said of First Lady. “She had some great placings to start out the year and two weeks ago had a cheap four in this class on Friday but had the time. Today I couldn’t have asked more from her.”

Ward will step up his Paris Olympic mount, Ilex, into the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI 5* during ‘Saturday Night Lights,’ hoping to get back in the hunt for a grand prix victory during WEF 2025 ahead of the coveted $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix to close the season during Rolex Finale Week on March 29. 

Final Results – $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI 5*

1) McLain Ward (USA) & First Lady – 0 – 57.49

2) Ben Maher (GBR) & Enjeu du Grisien – 0 – 59.73

3) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Ginger ASK – 0 – 59.81

Source: Press Release Wellington International

Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein

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