La Baule, France – June 05, 2025 – The 2025 edition of the Jumping international de La Baule – Officiel de France began this Thursday. American McLain Ward (USA) was victorious in the €35,000 FFE Generali Prize CSIO 5*, the day’s main CSIO 5* event.

The difficult weather conditions on the first day of the Jumping international de La Baule did not spoil the fun for equestrian enthusiasts, who were delighted to see the best show jumping riders and horses on the grass tracks at the François André Stadium.

The €35,000 FFE Generali Prize CSIO 5* (1.50 metres, against the clock) was the first qualifying event for the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule CSIO 5* on Sunday and witnessed victory by the world number five rider, American McLain Ward (USA), on High Star Hero. 

“It’s always a pleasure to win an event, especially when you qualify for the Grand Prix,” admitted the team Olympic Champion in 2004 and 2008 and team Olympic silver medallist last summer at the 2024 Paris Games. “It takes off the pressure for the rest of the week. I’ve been riding this horse for a little less than a year and he’s had very good results in the last few weeks with a victory at the Rolex Grand Prix in Rome qualifying event. The Nations Cup on Friday is our first major objective. The USA team is in good form after the success in Rome two weeks ago. We want to keep up the momentum. Afterwards, I’ll be taking part in the Derby on Saturday with High Star Hero. It’s the first time that I will be participating in this Derby and I’m very excited about it. I’ll be riding Imperial HBF on Sunday for the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule. It will be my first 5-star Grand Prix”. 

More than one second behind, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor (IRL), on Gengis Kann de Londe, finished in second place. The podium was completed by Italian Riccardo Pisani (ITA) on Chacco’s Lawito PS, seven hundredths quicker than Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), world number three, who finished in fourth on Steely Dan.

Final Results – €35,000 FFE Generali Prize CSIO 5*

1) McLain Ward (USA) & High Star Hero – 0 – 61.61

2) Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Gengis Kann de Lande – 0 / 0 – 62.71

3) Riccardo Pisani (ITA) & Chacco’s Lawito PS – 0 / 0 – 63.73

Source: Press Release from Rolex Jumping International de La Baule

Photo: © PSV Photo

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