Bridgehampton, N.Y.—Sept. 2

 Winning isn’t unusual for McLain Ward. So it was hardly a surprise when he blazed around the jump-off course aboard HH Carlos Z in the $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier at the Hampton Classic to capture the blue ribbon. 

Falling off Carlos at their last horse show together, and then losing his stirrup in Round 1 of Friday’s grand prix qualifier? Now that’s something you don’t see every day. 

“It’s funny, you know, the last class I showed [HH Carlos] in I fell off him, which is the only time that’s ever happened,” Ward said. “He’s always been a super careful horse, and he’s a little bit of an interesting ride, and he had a quirky moment at Valkenswaard.”

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z. Photo by Ann Glavan.

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard (the Netherlands), where Ward fell off Double H Farm’s Carlos, was Ward’s last show before he went to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the Olympic Games with HH Azur, where he helped the U.S. team win a silver medal.  

“He had a nice little break [after Valkenswaard], and we didn’t think much of it,” Ward said.

But Ward ran across another hiccup when Carlos galloped across a torn-up patch of turf in the main ring at the Hampton Classic.

“I didn’t actually think I rode him very well in the first round; the ground was breaking up a little bit in front of Fence 4, and he jumped it a bit funny, and I lost my stirrup, which I can’t remember the last time that happened,” Ward said with a chuckle. “So I thought I was a little bit lucky to get a clear, but sometimes that works in your favor. You just take a deep breath, and then he’s so fast you have an advantage in the jump-off.”

Ward barely got his stirrup back in time for Fence 5 (pictured). Photo by Ann Glavan.

Ward outran young rider Lucy Deslauriers and her mount Hester in an eight-horse jump-off to top the original field of 55 horse-and-rider pairs. Not only did Ward take home the lion’s share of the prize money for his victory, he was also one of 10 riders in the class participating in the Jump For Charity event, where riders were assigned charities who would receive donations based on how well their rider did in the class.

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester took second. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Ward rode for the charity Caring Hearts For Canines, a dog rescue founded by Jennifer Chopping based out of Southern Pines, N.C., and his win got them a check for $15,000.

“Who doesn’t like dogs?” Ward joked when asked about the charity he rode for. “We’re all so blessed, particularly in this part of the world with what we do. It’s nice to be able to give back.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s grand prix, Ward is prepared to deal with both a challenging track and a foreboding weather forecast as high winds (up to 30 miles per hour) and rain are predicted to blow in to Bridgehampton from hurricane Hermine.

“I think this Sunday we’re possibly going to have some weather issues. We’ll have to take that into account, but that’s just a challenge we’ll have to face,” Ward said. “We try and go day by day and do the best we can, and I’m so pleased to have these great horses and great sponsors behind me that make it possible for me to win this competition.”

Click here to see full results from the class.

Andrew Welles and Brindis Bogdis took third.  Photo by Ann Glavan.

Nicholas Dello Joio and Corlida took fourth. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Andrew Kocher and Ciana took fifth. Photo by Ann Glavan. 

Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z took sixth. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Peter Wylde and Aimee took seventh. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Hampton Classic ringmaster Alan Keeley. Photo by Ann Glavan.