Contagious is the word for McLain Ward’s new found form at WEF

USA’s Olympian showjumper McLain Ward had to wait until week 10 of the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] for a victory, but – just like buses – when one came along a second quickly followed.

Contagious and McLain were last to go in Saturday Night Lights $215,000 Grand Prix in the International Ring at Wellington International and finished their opening round as one of just three clears out of the 37 contestants.

The course proved unlucky for 13 combinations whose faults went into double figures. “I don’t know if I thought there’d only be three clear, but I thought it walked quite awkward,” McLain said who finished the jump off in 43.24 with the 15-year old Rhinelander gelding, with whom he won team silver at the Tokyo Olympics and team gold at last year’s Pan American Games. “I thought the jumps you couldn’t get to quite straight, you’re always coming in at a bit of an angle and interestingly enough you actually had two very experienced horses go clear.”

Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and Derby de Riverland, an 11-year old Selle Francais gelding, led in a time of 44.19 seconds before McLain produced his winning round.  “Nicola’s horse is a younger horse but very talented and he’s a very good rider,” said McLain. “I thought there’d be a few more [clears], but it proved to be challenging and the time was just enough to kind of force mistakes.” America’s Lucy Davis and 13-year old Westphalian gelding, Ben 431 took third with a time of 45.5.

McLain won the WEF Challenge with First Lady earlier in the week to take his first win of WEF 2024. Contagious has been a mainstay of his string but will step aside for his shoes to be filled by new Olympic prospects. “Contagious has been a great partner and I am very grateful to Beechwood [Stables] and Lise Revers for having the horse for his whole career. He’s getting a little older now,” said McLain. “Obviously our focus is on Paris. I think Contagious is getting a bit long in the tooth for another championship, but Callas has a lot still left in her tank, so she’s certainly on the radar. We have an exciting horse, Ilex, that we really think can do incredible things.”

Contagious put age aside to help McLain claim the win under the lights.  “It’s a little more work I think but he’s got a huge heart…I thought he was due for a good round and he performed well,” said McLain. “It was a very hot night. It was a quick turnaround. I was a little concerned about that and I jumped, I think three jumps in the schooling area because I didn’t really want to let him, you know, kind of bottom out. But he dug in deep and he was lucky to go last.”