Text © World of Showjumping

USA’s McLain Ward and the 12-year-old gelding High Star Hero (Zazu x Darco) topped Thursday’s CSIO5* 1.50m Prix FFE / Generali at the 2025-edition of Jumping International de La Baule, a class which served as the first qualifier for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule. 

A total of 64 horse-and-rider combinations had lined up for this Table A class against the clock, where Gregory Bodo (FRA) had created a 12-fence track which included three doubles. Faults spread out, although many clipped a rail on the last line towards the in-gate, either at the marine-themed La Baule-oxer at no. 10, or at the penultimate combination at 11ab. 

As no. 26 in the ring, Riccardo Pisani (ITA) was the first to post a clear round below the 64-second-mark as he flew around the track aboard the 10-year-old stallion Chacco’s Lawito PS (Chacco-Blue x Lawito) to cross the finish line in 63.73 – leaping into the lead. 

Although it looked difficult to beat Pisani, Cian O’Connor (IRL) and the 9-year-old gelding Gengis Kann de Londe (Kannan x Diamant de Semilly) proved it was possible when delivering a performance that saw the clock stop on 62.71 seconds – a new time to beat for the 22 horse-and-rider combinations left in the class. 

However, with only nine left to go, McLain Ward gave a masterclass in accuracy, efficiency and style as he in a gust of rain and wind braved not only the unpredictable coastal weather in La Baule but also bettered the time to beat to an incredible 61.61 seconds – a beautiful round appreciated by the as-ever fantastic crowd at the François André Stadium.

None of those to come could catch Ward, who left O’Connor to second, Pisani to third, while Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) finished fourth on Steely Dan (Hardrock Z x Cardento) with a time of 63.80 seconds, followed by Peder Fredricson (SWE) in fifth aboard SV Vroom de La Pomme (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Untouchable 27) in 65.10 seconds.

“I thought Hero jumped spectacular today,” Ward said to World of Showjumping about his round. “He has a big stride, and he covers the ground well, so I was kind of trying to leave out numbers everywhere. I did not do the leave-out to the last; I felt I was quite good on the clock, and with it being the Grand Prix qualifier I did not risk it all but it worked out well.”

"Hero is owned by Mike and Wendy Smith, great supporters of ours and of the team,” Ward explained. “I have had him for about 6-7 months, and we have had some really good results. We are working on trying to keep him a little bit more consistent, and he was great in Rome winning the Grand Prix qualifier, and now a great start to the week here.”

“I have done a few five-star Grand Prix classes with him, and he has had some very good results so I have high hopes for him for the future. But first we are going to try the derby with him this week so let’s see how that goes,” the happy winner smiled.