Four-time Olympic medalist McLain Ward wins $216,000 JTWG. Inc. Grand Prix
WELLINGTON — Four-time Olympic medalist McLain Ward and his longtime mount HH Azur won the $216,000 JTWG. Inc. Grand Prix CSIO4 Sunday at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Ward posted back-to-back clear rounds, 75.70 seconds in the 48-rider opening round and 35.22 to finish ahead of seven other riders in the jump-off.
Ward and the 16-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare owned by Double H Farm won $71,280. Ward has been riding her for seven years, sharing the spotlight in the 2018 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and 2017 FEI Jumping World Cup.
“She’s a warrior,” Ward said. “The horse gives so much, and she doesn’t owe me one round or one jump. When she’s feeling right, we aim her to a competition.
"She felt great in the first round and felt even better in the jump-off. I’m forever grateful for every grand prix we get with her. She really performed beautifully, and we were able to get the nine strides home and put just enough pressure on these guys that we held up.”
Ioli Mytilineou of Greece and 11-year-old BWP stallion Levis De Muze were second in 36.84 and won $43,200. It was the 24-year-old's highest finish in a grand prix. The two have been together since he was seven years old.
"It means absolutely everything, to be honest," Mytilineou said. "Last year here I was mostly fourth or fifth place, so I never actually got into the prize-giving ceremony. To be in it between McLain and Ben (Maher), two of the best riders in the world, is insane to me.
"When I went into the ring, the last thing my trainer said to me was, ‘Don’t risk a rail. You can be quicker than McLain anyway.’ I just looked at him and laughed, but I tried to go as fast as I could and go clear."
Reigning Olympic gold medalist Maher of Great Britain and 12-year-old KWPN stallion Faltic HB were third in 36.30 and took home $32,400.
"The plan was to try to beat McLain," Maher said. "That’s twice now I’ve lost to him this season. Azur and Ioli’s horse are two of the best horses in the world, so nothing comes easy here."
On Saturday night, Ireland topped 10 other teams to win the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4 presented by Premier Equestrian and held in two rounds. The team of Andrew Bourns, Cian O’Connor, Eoin McMahon and Max Wachman won with five faults. It was Ireland's fourth Nations Cup in the 21-year history of the class at WEF.
Canada was second with Tiffany Foster, Beth Underhill, Amy Millar and Erynn Ballard and the U.S. team of Spencer Smith, Natalie Dean, Tanner Korotkin and Lillie Keenan was third.
Canada and the U.S. tied with 12 faults. The tie was broken by combining the times of the top three riders from each team.
Between rounds, two-time Olympic medalist Laura Kraut of Royal Palm Beach was awarded the United States Equestrian Team Foundation's 2022 Whitney Stone Cup. It is awarded annually to an active equestrian whose consistent excellence in international competition and whose standard for sportsmanlike conduct and contributions as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET Foundation exemplify the team’s highest ideals and traditions.
"The Whitney Stone Cup is something that I’ve known about forever,” Kraut said. “I have watched some of the people that I most admire in our sport win it, so to be that person and to be given this award is humbling. I’ve never thought of myself as being the person receiving the award, so it’s really gratifying."
Mytilneou also won her first Martha W. Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider award. She had the highest number of points among all women riders in the major events, the $37,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 and $216,000 CSI4 JTWG Grand Prix.
This weekend's main event is the Saturday Night Lights' $406,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI5 at 7 p.m.
Spectators are reminded to bring their facemasks to use in any indoor areas, including bathrooms, restaurants and enclosed shopping areas. Live streaming is also being offered again this season at pbiec.coth.com.
General admission is free. Parking is $20 per car. The venue is located at 3400 Equestrian Club Drive, just off South Shore and Pierson Road. For information, call 561-793-5867.