LEIPZIG, Germany--McLain Ward, leading going into the final class of the World Cup, had a rail down when Cotsgious stumbled in the combination and had a rail down, and then another rail later in the course plus a time fault to finish seventh with 13 faults.
McLain Ward on Contagious (Photo by US Equestrian)All the U.S. riders made it to the final 30 and the last day, and three finished in the top 20.
Along with Ward in seventh, Hunter Holloway of Topeka, Kan., on Pepita Con Spita was16th with 25 faults, and Aaron Vale of Williston, Fla., on Elusive was 20th with 38 faults accumulated through the three days of competition..
Ward of Brewster, N.Y., on Contagious was leading going into the final round of competition on Sunday with just a rail in hand, but he finished the first round of Frank Rothenberg’s course with one rail down, putting him on a score of four heading into the final round, still holding the lead, but by only one fault.
In the second round, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Chaplin was clean, adding nothing to his score of five , which eventually gave him the win.
Harrie Smolders of The Netherlands was second on eight faults in 61.99 seconds, and Jens Fredrickson of Sweden was third with eight faults in 62.35.
“IT'S REALLY disappointing of course. I thought Contagious jumped great and unfortunately, he stumbled or lost his footing in the combination and fell through B and after that when you’re focused on winning, not much else matters,” said Ward. “It’s a sport of variables and he took a funny step and jumped too low, which isn’t a normal mistake for him, but you know that’s a part of the sport and it’s unfortunate when it happens in that moment.”
“It was a disappointing day, but I’m proud of the horse and very grateful to have the horse," said Ward. "I owe a big thank you to his owners, the Revers, and to my entire support staff, and to my family. It’s a tough day but we’ll be back to fight again.”
Katie Dinan of Wellington, Fla., on Brego R’N B finished 21st, just ahead of Misti Cassar of Canyon Country, Calif., on Mylord Cornet who was 23rd, and Schuyler Riley of Wellington, Fla., on Robin de Ponthual was 24th overal, while Kristen Vanderveen of Wellingtonon Bull Run’s Prince of Peace finished 27th.
Alessandra Volpi of Woodside, Calf., on Berlinda was double-clear round on the final day of competition but was eliminated due to a trace amount of blood found on the horse’s flank following their round.
