McLain Ward Back in the Saddle as Aachen’s World Equestrian Festival Gets Underway

McLain Ward and Oasis at Aachen, Germany. Photo © Ken Braddick -HorseSport USA

United States Olympic Silver Medalist McLain Ward was back in the saddle Wednesday for the first time since breaking his collar bone three weeks ago while competing for the United States at the Samsung Super League in Hickstead, England.

Ward, of Brewster, N.Y., rode in two classes on the opening day of Aachen’s World Equestrian Festival, the host for the seventh of eight Samsung Super League events on Friday. Aachen will be the site of the quadrennial World Equestrian Games next year.

“I’m still sore,” Ward said, while holding his arm close to his body after finishing the second class of the day.  He rode Oasis, a 10-year-old Selle Francaise gelding owned by Double H Farm. While Ward has plenty of Aachen experience, Oasis is a newcomer to the Festival.

The Aachen experience is unlike any other in the equestrian world, as the totally renovated jumping stadium now has seating for over 44,000 fans. Dressage is held in a separate 6,000-seat stadium.

The six days of show jumping offers more than $1,200,000 in prize money, while the dressage competition has prize money of $330,000 and four-in-hand driving offers $70,000.  147 riders and drivers from 24 nations are competing at this year’s festival.

Ward and Oasis incurred six penalty points in the second class of the day, four from what was marked a refusal but Ward described as him “being a little rusty and not having the strength to push the horse. It was easier to just go round and make a second attempt.” In the first class on the experienced 11-year-old chestnut mare Sapphire, also owned by Double H Farm, the pair were clear but incurred two time penalty points.

George Morris, Chef d’Equipe of the United States Equestrian Team, said of McLain’s riding, “He’s one of our top riders. He wanted to be here for the team. We do what we have to do.”

Although Ward broke his collar bone at Hickstead, England during the Samsung Super League, the team still finished tied for third place in the eight-nation contest.

“It’s still broken,” Ward joked after completing the second class. “I’m not back at full strength, but I should be able to ride well if I’m selected for the team for Friday’s Super League.”

The other U.S. team members, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY., Laura Kraut, Oconomowoc, WI., Kimberly Prince, Hume VA., and Jeffery Welles, Ridgefield, CT., rode their top horses today in preparation for Friday’s Super League.

The U.S. dressage team, comprised of Leslie Morse, from Los Angeles on Kingston, Steffen Peters of San Diego on Floriano, Guenter Seidel from Del Mar, CA., on Aragon and George Williams of Delaware, OH, on Rocher, all were deemed fit at the mandatory veterinary check Tuesday. Klaus Balkenhol is filling the role of both coach and chef d’equipe of the U.S. squad, similar to the role filled by Morris with show jumping.

U.S. equestrians competing at Aachen are funded by The United States Equestrian Team Foundation in association with the United States Equestrian Federation.