Ward's risks pay off

McLain Ward and Kent Farrington go head-to-head to record a US one-two after a lightning-fast jump-off for the grand prix

- PIPPA ROOME

Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Fidelity Investments week five, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Florida, USA

McLAIN WARD topped an extraordinarily fast jump-off to take the first five-star grand prix of this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival.

With 12 first-round clears, anyone wanting to win this $401,000 (£310,600) Fidelity Investments-sponsored class clearly needed to pull off something special. McLain delivered as the ninth to go, piloting Noche De Ronda to a margin of more than two seconds over compatriot Kent Farrington, a known speed master with last year’s Aachen grand prix winner Gazelle.

“The stress doesn’t get less. It’s like a drug — I love it, but it’s killing me at the same time,” said the 44-year-old winner. “I have a couple of students doing the sport at an incredibly high level, and it’s very engaging to be with them and see them prosper and grow.

“I’m still nervous for these big nights; I really find great pleasure in the fight. The victories are nice and the things that come along with them, but the battle between people like Kent and I and several others is what really gets our blood up.”

The 11-year-old winner Noche De Ronda has been with McLain for about a year and belongs to Marilla van Beuren, Bob Russell and her rider.

“Marilla has been an avid follower and equestrian for many years and she had a dream to own a grand prix horse,” explained McLain.