After a successful winter in Florida, HH Azur is getting some well-deserved downtime at Castle Hill, Ward’s Brewster, N.Y., base, before departing for Europe to contest the designated observation events for the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team. Meanwhile, Ward is showing at the nearby Old Salem Farm (N.Y.) spring shows.

Ward was recently named to the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Short List for the Rio Games with both Azur and Rothchild. His first European show will be with Azur at CSIO***** Rome (Italy) on May 26-29. Although not on the Short List, Ward’s other top mount HH Carlos Z will also be making the trip to Europe.

I think the horses always enjoy coming north and getting out of south Florida. The spring is coming, the grass is nicer and it’s a breath of fresh air for them. Rothchild and Azur both feel good.

For those horses, at this point, it’s a bit of R&R. They come out of Florida. They jumped plenty. At this point, they should be pretty fit and in good condition. It’s a little bit of a letdown time to let the horses take a breath. They do light work and not a lot of jumping. We let the horse be a horse for a couple weeks before we have to get pretty serious and put a bit of pressure on when we get to Europe.

Azur and Carlos leave [for Europe] next Thursday [May 19]. Rothchild will stay home for a few weeks longer. He’ll show at Old Salem and then at Devon (Pa.), and then he’ll go to Europe to join up with those two.

HH Azur at home at Ward’s Castle Hill Farm. Photo by Kirsty Bond

With Azur, it’s about keeping her relaxed and calm. She’s so much horse and has so much power that you just have to make sure that you keep that a little bit under wraps so that she’s not so fit and so fresh that it’s not completely in control. We try to find weeks and time where we can let her down a little, so that she does take a breath and stays relaxed within herself.

She’s enjoying [the downtime] more. She’s a pretty intense horse, but she’s actually turned out with my daughter’s pony, which she enjoys (Go Behind the Stall Door with Lilly Ward’s pony Daisy.). She’s definitely taking a breath. 

HH Azur enjoying her R&R. Photo by Kirsty Bond

I’m at Old Salem right now. This is our local show, and I’m really proud of how the show has grown and developed. It’s one of the most beautiful venues in the world, and they have great events here in the spring and the [American Gold Cup] in the fall. I know they’re trying to get a Nations Cup final here. I think there are some exciting things happening here, and it’s something we’re proud of. We’ve shown here for years.

Carlos jumps here this week. It’s his last prep before going overseas. He likes to show a little bit. Next week, Rothchild will jump the grand prix, plus we have a bunch of other horses.

The Short List 

I don’t think there were any great surprises on the list. When you get down to the final few, as when you get down to the fourth spot on the team, it’s always a tough call, and there are probably going to be some differences of opinion.

The first group is always pretty clear, and then it gets a little bit greyer. You’re never going to have a system that everybody’s happy with, unfortunately, but I don’t think there were many surprises.

For people fighting it out maybe for the last few spots, the next few shows are going to be very telling, and for the horse and rider combinations that are more trying to maintain or hold a spot, this is kind of a final push to Rio. So everybody is in a little bit of different positions, and obviously there’s a lot of interaction with the chef d’equipe and the people involved, and everybody is pretty clear on what’s at stake here.

Preparing For Travel

Some horses definitely handle the travel better than others. We don’t over-show our horses. I think myself and Beezie [Madden] don’t show our horses as much as some of the other riders, so our horses, in theory, should be fresh and very prepared for the travel.

Right now, at this point, I’m trying just not to do anything different from what we’ve been doing. It’s been working beautifully. I think the horses perform great, and at this point there’s not much to change. We just have to stay focused and keep everybody healthy. 

[The observation events in Europe] are wonderful, traditional shows. Rome, Rotterdam, La Baule, Aachen: These are the best shows in the world. It’s always a privilege to go to these shows. They have the best competition, which, when you’re particularly lucky enough to have these great horses, is a challenge and exciting, and you want to do it.

I’m in a place in my career, with my experience and my team of people and the horses that I’m lucky enough to have, that I feel that when we perform at our best, we’re going to win or be close to winning. That’s a great sense of confidence going in to these events.

We have an incredible group of people. [Managers] Lee and Erica McKeever have been with us now for 28 years. I grew up with them; that’s a pretty unique relationship in the sport and in the industry. I think we’ve been lucky enough to have a great staff and people who’ve stayed with us a number of years and really look at it as a family environment. You’re held to a standard, but at the same time, you’re given a lot of credit for the success.

I think that’s something that 15 years ago wasn’t a concept as much as it is today, and I’m proud to say that I think we’ve helped show that it really and truly is how to ultimately be the most successful — to have that great group of people around you — and that’s extended down the line to the veterinarian and the blacksmith.

I’ve had Tim Ober as well as Dr. Bill Bradley and Dr. James Belden always in my corner, and Mikey Boylan has been my blacksmith since I started riding. We have long-term people, and I’m a big believer in having the best people around you and letting them do their jobs. I think the results show, and I think that’s why also you see sponsors and owners believing in the system. They know that the horse care is first class and that no stone is left unturned, not only from a performance point of view, but also from a general horsemanship point of view.

HH Azur has some unusual treat tastes! Photo by Kirsty Bond

Clinic Teaching In Aiken

I think the last clinic I taught was five years ago. Jane McDonald, a young lady that worked for us for a number of years, got married and has a family now in Aiken (S.C.). She had been asking me for years to [teach a clinic there].

She got me on a weak moment, and I went down [to her farm at Fort Henry Stables in April], and it was a real treat (Read more about McLain’s clinic.).

I had never been to Aiken. It was a charming area, and the people couldn’t have been lovelier. We spent a couple days, and it was nice to help some people with their horses and show them that it can actually be simple. You don’t have to do so much. But I don’t do many!

In this series, the Chronicle follows six riders as they seek to fulfill their Olympic dreams in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. We’ll check in with them every few weeks as they pursue a team spot, seeing how they’re getting their horses ready and preparing mentally. 

Read all of the Road To The Olympics with McLain Ward

We’re also following:

Show jumper Callan Solem

Eventer Phillip Dutton and his groom Emma Ford

Dressage rider Kasey Perry-Glass

Eventer Clark Montgomery

Dressage rider Laura Graves