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In our series ‘That Special Bond’ – first introduced in 2016 – World of Showjumping highlights what equestrian sport truly is about; the unique connection between horses and humans. Speaking with some of the top names in the sport, we learn more about the horses that have built careers and fulfilled dreams.

This time around, WoSJ sat down with USA’s six-time Olympian McLain Ward – a legend of the sport – to learn more about the horses that have shaped his career.

“I've been lucky enough in my career; there's been an incredible amount of very special top horses – all a little bit different, all unique,” McLain begins. “I think that people easily think about the likes of Sapphire (Darco x Hedjaz), HH Azur (Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui Vd Zuuthoeve) or Clinta (Clinton x Lord Pezi) – the latter whose career wasn't as long as I had hoped because of injury, but who was a spectacular talent and had a great character. However, I have to say that the horse that I probably have had the fondest relationship with was Rothchild (Artos x Elegant De L’Ile).”

It was the renowned Belgium horse dealer Francois Mathy who brought McLain and Rothchild together. “Rothchild had jumped a lot of clean rounds as a six- and seven-year-old, and then went to Francois Mathy who has been the biggest source of horses in my career. I believe that the rider in Francois’ stable at the time basically quit over Rothchild. He would spin or buck him off so often that he didn't want to ride him any longer.”

I remember getting up at some point from the coffee, going in the bathroom, looking in the mirror and telling myself: ‘Just say no, don't get sucked into buying this horse’

Back in 2009, McLain was in Europe trying horses for a client when Francois told him to come and have a look at Rothchild. “I went to get on Rothchild, but Francois stopped me and said ‘no, let someone else do it’. So, an eventing rider, who was laying over, got on instead – and Rothchild was absolutely wild, but very careful. I got on him as well, and he dumped his front-end, then went straight up in the air – I didn't like him at all.”

“On the way to the airport, Francois kept explaining me how convinced he was about Rothchild’s talent,” McLain tells. “He kept saying how this horse was going to win something big in his life. Even though he was not expensive, I just really didn't want to have him. We would always have a coffee at the airport and Francois has been such a mentor that I always want to believe in what he says. However, I remember getting up at some point from the coffee, going in the bathroom, looking in the mirror and telling myself: ‘Just say no, don't get sucked into buying this horse’. I stayed strong, passed on his offers, got on the plane and flew home.”

However, as McLain arrived in New York and called his father just to tell that he had made it safely back, he got an unexpected answer. “My father told me he had bought that chestnut I had tried, and that Francois had said to him that I didn't know what I was talking about,” McLain smiles.

He was really challenging

And then, Rothchild arrived. “He was a fantastic jumper actually, right from the beginning,” McLain recalls. “However, he was really challenging. At the time, my father was still riding a lot at home and worked with the horses when I was on the road. My father liked challenging horses; he enjoyed working with them, he was very patient with those horses and spent a lot of time with Rothchild – doing small jumps and working on his rideability. I think he fell off him a lot too, because he would spin, and with his short neck, you would fall off very easily.” 

Time and patience paid off; Rothchild eventually went on to have huge success with McLain. “He was kind of a worker, a blue-collar guy,” McLain explains about Rothchild. “Eventually, when Sapphire had been retired, Rothchild was by far the best horse I had. I wanted to be successful, and he wanted to be successful – and we made the best of the situation. He went on to win an incredible amount of big Grand Prix classes and came close to being a World Champion in Caen in 2014.”

The 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France, is one of McLain’s fondest memories with Rothchild. “He performed spectacular,” McLain recalls about the championship where the two finished fifth individually and claimed team bronze. “We missed out on being in the final four by less than a fault. Had we been in the final four, it would probably have been interesting because Rothchild wasn't so easy to get to know quickly. He wasn't actually a difficult horse to ride in the ring, but he was not simple to warm up and you had to know him.”

A bittersweet moment in Caen has not left McLain’s mind: “I always say it was one of the great compliments of my career, when we were walking up the ramp and I was a little bit frustrated not to be in the final four,” he tells. “Jeroen Dubbeldam – who eventually went on to be the world champion that week – put his arm around me and said: ‘I'm very happy I don’t have to ride your horse.’”

He was a fighter and he had what you always want to believe in in a horse; spirit

“It was really a great story and for me, I really grew to like him,” McLain tells about Rothchild. “He had a great character. He was a fighter and he had what you always want to believe in in a horse; spirit. I think he loved what he did. However, you had to be doing it on his terms, it wasn't going to be only on my terms. It was a very rewarding relationship in the end.”

With Rothchild, McLain learned some invaluable lessons. “I'm an incredibly competitive person and I like to be successful,” he explains. “With Rothchild, I learned that if I would meet him in the middle, he would give me back and we could have great success. What was special about the relationship we had was that we both learned to love each other.”

Simon Delestre’s Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead x Quaprice Bois Margot) is a horse that Francois Mathy also proposed to McLain. “Cayman had a reputation: He was not easy to handle,” McLain recalls about passing on the gelding that has gone on to do exceptionally well with France’s former world number one Simon Delestre. “Cayman had been with Steve Guerdat, and Lillie Keenan actually tried the horse for me. I called Steve and he said the horse wasn’t for him, and that his groom had threatened to quit over him. I thought it was not going to be a good situation for me either – and I have been kicking myself for it.”

I have been kicking myself for it

“I think if you do this long enough and at the level that we're trying to do it, you're always seeking athletes,” McLain continues. “There's going to be situations where maybe you missed out on something, maybe it wasn't the right day, but maybe it also wasn't the right situation. Many things have to come together to acquire a world class horse – and you can come to them in a variety of different ways. You have to be open minded in that process. Maybe some “missed opportunities” led to something else. I remember trying one very good horse years ago, right before Azur. It was early in the horse’s career, and I thought it was a bit too spooky – and said no. We ended up buying Azur a few months later. I strongly believe that one thing leads to another, and there are positives to find in situations that initially seem negative.”

However, it’s not only about finding a world-class horse, but building a good connection. In the end, success is all about the right match between a horse and a rider. “I think you get on a horse and you have a feeling,” McLain explains. “No doubt the better riders and better horsemen and horsewomen of the world can have a good feeling with several horses. They adjust, they figure it out. If they sense talent, the best riders will adjust themselves. For myself, to put it in simple terms, I like a horse that is naturally competitive. There are horses who might have so called technical faults, like Rothchild or Cayman, but they get it. They are competitive by nature, they are clever – and that makes them better than others.”

While McLain’s relationship with Rothchild has been the most special of his career so far, it took long to create a connection. “It was a process that took time,” he explains. “Actually, I think that without my father in that situation, it probably wouldn't have worked. My father had a lot of patience and he had time at home to work with Rothchild. Nowadays, everything easily evolves around the competition schedule and sometimes we get away from just working with the horses at home. That is the way the sport has developed, and I think it's good to get back to the basics – be home and work.”

“Antares F (Araconit x Cento) was a challenging horse as well,” McLain tells about his 2011 Pan-American Games double gold medalist. “He was an incredibly talented horse, but it was hard to figure out his personality. At times it was frustrating, because he was such a gifted jumper. He won some big Grand Prix classes, but he also had some moves that were hard to anticipate.”

I think the main point is to always have respect for the horse

Even though the most special bonds take time to grow, McLain is usually quick to gel with a new horse. “I grew up a dealer’s son, so I was always comfortable getting to know horses quite quickly,” he says. “Certainly, there are situations where you just seem to gel fast. Typically, that's because a horse has been well trained or produced up to a certain level or has a certain amount of calmness and security of themselves. That makes the process easier. I think the main point is to always have respect for the horse. There are certain personalities I enjoy being with more than others – same as with people – but it is possible to have a good working relationship regardless. I try to really appreciate who the horses are as individuals, I think that's important. I want to understand why they are the way they are, what their characteristics are.”

“Due to my competitive nature, I always appreciate horses with fight and grit,” McLain concludes. “I love grit, also in people. I think it's the characteristic that can supersede all other shortcomings – and I love seeing that in a horse.”

28.4.2025 No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.