Profiles
McLain Ward started riding after being encouraged to take up the sport by his father who was also a showjumper. In 1990, at age 14, he became the youngest rider to win the United States Equestrian Team's Show Jumping Talent Derby. Ten weeks later he became the youngest rider to win the USET Medal Finals and the first rider to win both titles in the same year. This early success led to him earning the nickname "The Kid".
McLain's father, Barney, competed in and won the Grand Prix of Devon in 1982, 20 years to the day before his son won the same competition in 2002. He cites winning the Spruce Meadows Masters as the most memorable moment in his career and Sapphire as his best horse. McLain considers his best performances to be the Olympics in 2004 and winning Olympic Gold in 2008.
Fast Facts
2008 Olympic Team Gold medallist with Sapphire
2004 Olympic Team Gold medallist with Sapphire
Competed in the 2014 Olympic Games
2014 World Team Bronze medallist with Rothchild
2006 World Team Silver medallist with Sapphire
Competed in the 2010 World Championships
2011 Pan American Games Team Gold medallist with Nikita F
2014 LGCT Antwerp Grand Prix winner with Rothchild
2007 LGCT Palm Beach Grand Prix winner with Sapphire
McLain has competed in 14 FEI World Cup Finals
2016 LGCT Miami Beach Grand Prix Silver Medallist with HH Azur