The top three in the second round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, and on the overall standings – McLain Ward (USA), Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Romain Duguet (SUI) – met the press on Friday night, and shared their thoughts on their horses and the Final so far: 

McLain Ward on the amazing 11-year-old mare HH Azur: 

“She’s an independent woman, I don’t think she needs me very much! I have to try to keep a handle on her, but she tries to give you everything she has, and she has a tremendous amount to give!”

On the challenges of the Longines FEI World Cup Final, Ward said: 

“The biggest challenge for me is to keep my head right. It’s something I need to master, and I hope I can do that this weekend.”

On the importance of the Final, McLain commented: 

“In our sport there are three major events – the Olympic Games, World Championships and the World Cup Final –  that we all very much want to win in our career: It’s a big deal!”

Reunited with Forlap in December last year, after two and a half year apart – Gregory Wathelet said this about his four-legged partner that obviously is happy to be back with his former riders: 

“He lost his confidence because he was passed around to several different riders, so it was a bit of a risk buying him back (...) I never expected him to get his confidence back so quickly but three weeks ago he started feeling good again. Today I decided to go a bit for the time, it’s always easier when you have a horse that fights for you. I knew McLain would be fast so I went quick but not crazy.”

Romain Duguet was also pleased with his horse after finishing third: 

“I’m very happy with TwentyTwo, I have her since she was five years old, she’s never spectacular but she jumps clear rounds. It wasn’t my plan to ride her in the Final but my other horse was injured. TwentyTwo is only 10, but she proved she can be really good this week. We go day by day at this Final.”

Source: fei.org // Picture © Haide Westring for World of Showjumping