McLain Ward and HH Azur at the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Final. Photo (c) Haide Westring.
A decorated and respected equestrian with an international acclaim that continues to grow, McLain Ward was awarded the Robert P. Strub Trophy as the 2017 USEF Equestrian of the Year at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner.
Ward started the season by winning the $380,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI5* during the Winter Equestrian Festival with HH Azur. The following month, Ward clinched a home turf victory, winning the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final with HH Azur in Omaha, Neb. In May, Ward was successful at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, winning the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon with Rothchild. Ward has proven himself a consistent competitor and helped anchor the U.S. team to several FEI Nations Cup™ medals, including a silver-medal finish at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final in September.
Source: Press release from USEF Equestrian News // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson
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