WELLINGTON, Fla.--With another five-star competition underway at the Winter Equestrian Festival, McLain ward returned to competition to win the $37,000 1.45m class on Feb. 23 riding Catoli.
McLain Ward on Catoki (Photo by Sportfot)Anthony D’Ambrosio designed the course over which 57 riders from 15 different countries competed.
Halfway through the class, Ward on Catoki was on top, clean in 32.26 seconds.
Ward and the 13-year-old Westphalian gelding have already had success, including a win in the $75,000 Grand Prix during the first week.
“This is really Catoki’s job and what he excels at is these five-star speed and ranking classes,” said Ward. “He is naturally so fast that you don’t have to do anything extreme which automatically gives you better odds.”
“I thought the course was friendly today,” said Ward. “It was a bit short, which is never a bad thing for my horse. You can see these classes are super competitive right now, and the level of quality competition here is very high. You have to do everything you can and hope you come out on top.”
LORENZO DE LUCA of Italy on Dirka de Blondel fell just short of Ward’s leading time, finishing in 32.34 seconds to place second ahead of Australia’s Katie Laurie.on Cera Caruso, third in 32.52 seconds.
Earlier in the day, Darragh Kenny of Ireland on Gouvernante VDL won the $1,000 1.40m CSI5* over 47 entries.
There was also a two-star competition earlier in the day, won by John Perez on Gigi-Carmen, who led from start to finish in the $6,000 1.40m CSI2*
Perez of Columbia was the first to go and finished in the blazing time of 30.13 seconds to ultimately run away with the win.
Perez on Gigi-Carmen was actually 30th on the original start list but requested to move up to the first position in the order.
It was a plan that was particularly important since it was the mare’s first time competing in the International Arena after having only jumped classes in the DeNemethy Arena and the Mogavero Arena.
“I try to always go first in the ring, because she’s a little bit nervous in the warm-up. If the stewards allow me to go first, that’s always the best for her,” said Perez. “For her to see this ring for the first time, I didn’t know what was going to happen, but she was really relaxed. I can trust her a lot better now, and every time more and more.”
“She’s quick anyway and normally goes best in that pace, so whatever turns I ask her to do, she does very fast. It went well today,” he said.
Perez just started riding the mare about three months ago.
“The quality about her," said Perez. "The quality is not normal. It’s unbelievable. Unbelievable! For her to touch a rail is almost impossible, so I’m very excited about the horse.”
Perez is aiming for the $37,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* on Friday, Feb. 25, in hopes of contesting the $50,000 Grand Prix CSI2* on Sunday, Feb. 27.
“For sure I think she can jump whatever I ask. I think she is a top, top horse. I just have to take my time and get to know her a little better,” said Perez.
