Ocala, Fla.—March 22

It came down to the very last fence and the very last rider of the night at the Longines League of Nations Ocala, and lucky for the spectators at the World Equestrian Center—Ocala, it was the United States’ McLain Ward, always cool under pressure, and the exuberant Ilex, jumping for the win.

The U.S. team, which also included Lillie Keenan, Aaron Vale and Laura Kraut, led after the first round of competition on 0 faults ahead of Germany on 1 fault. In the second round, where only three of four team riders came back and there was no drop score, the pressure was on Ward after Germany’s Andre Thieme (Paule S) had 4 faults and Kraut (Dorado 212) also had 4. 

Ward and Ilex, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Baltic VDL—Calendula, Chin Chin) owned by Ward and Bonne Chance Farm, were both coming back from a bit of time off this winter—Ward after a fall forced him to have a month off, and Ilex after a “hiccup” set his training back about a week.

But Ward is used to riding in the anchor position, and he kept his cool to jump clear, giving the U.S. the win ahead of Germany, who finished on 5 faults, and Belgium, who were third on 13 faults.

Ward said he likes the new format of the competition, in use for the second time since the FEI Nations Cup series was reformatted and rebranded as the League of Nations last year.

“You know how many times now I’ve been in that position?” he said with a smile. “I’d be lying to tell you that it isn’t filled with some nerves and anxiety, but, you know, it’s a little like a drug. I always say it’s killing you, but you need it, you know? I was going down the ramp, and I held for a moment. And actually, when [Germany’s Sophie Hinners] jumped clear, I kind of got a smile on my face, and my thought was, ‘OK, game on.’ This is what we do, and you focus things, so it’s what you live for.”

“I couldn’t get much better than that,” said U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “We said it a couple times tonight, and I’ve said it many times before; I love the format that League of Nations has, specifically for the excitement. Of course, it’s always nice to be on the right end of the excitement. It was great that Laura added to that, just to make sure that McLain had some real pressure on them going out there, but how things can change in that second round!”

Aaron Vale, riding Carissimo 25, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello—T-Clintissma, Clinton) owned by The Carissimo Group, was the drop score from the first round, so didn’t jump in the second round, but he was happy to have the opportunity to ride at his hometown facility. He and the gelding competed in the League of Nations last year in Abu Dhabi.

“Obviously it’s a great facility, and wonderful to have it right here in my backyard, but it’s really special when you get an opportunity to jump against the world’s best in your backyard,” he said.

Kraut was thrilled with her 2023 Pan American Games (Chile) horse, St. Bride’s Farm’s 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Dorado 212 (Diarado’s Boy—Cary Blue, Chacco Blue), who was making his championship comeback after sitting out 2024 with an injury.

“I’m extra proud of him for the performance he put in tonight,” she said. “His first round was impeccable, and the second round was I was really worried about my time, because I was only 0.25 of a second under in the first round, and I thought the place to make it up was to the wall. And clearly that was a bad idea! I apologize to poor McLain, because we did it to him again, but he thrives on that. The horse is just outstanding, and I’m so fortunate to have him.”

Keenan, at age 28, has become an impressive veteran at team competitions. “I am really just incredibly grateful to ride for Team USA,” she said. “Anytime I get ride alongside these riders who I’ve looked up to for as long as I’ve ridden a horse is pretty special, and obviously to win on home soil and to have everyone really see one of the best venues in the world and the best venue in America I think is so special, because we all share a really incredible sport. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate it here and with a home win.”

She rode first for the team on Argan De Beliard, a 15-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago HN—La Belle Normade, Ahorn), a position she’s used to and is comfortable with.

“My horse is incredibly conventional and reliable, so it makes sense for me to go early,” she said. “I can walk the course, and it pretty much goes exactly to plan. And McLain being my coach, he’s the person that I rely on, and my teammates having so much experience. These are the moments that we live for—to ride as a team. We kind of let each other do our thing, but we’re always there if you need it. We say that we’re the veteran team. I’m not really compared to these riders, but the confidence riding alongside them that they give me makes me feel like, yeah, I can do this.”

With this win, the U.S. is on the way to qualifying for the League of Nations final in Barcelona, Spain, in October. With no major global championship this year, Ridland says this year will be a great opportunity to give younger riders a chance to ride on a team.

“Trying to qualify for Barcelona is very high on our list, and tonight was very helpful, because we didn’t come in at the top of the standings,” he said. “So it’s going to be nice to see where we are. This is the one year we don’t have a championship. What it’s done for us, though, it’s given us a lot of team events in addition to the League of Nations, so that we can bring in some of the younger riders and give opportunity. That’s what we’re using this this year for. When we get back into the championship swing of things next year, we’ll have more depth. But we’re proud of the depth we have, and so far, it’s working out really well this year.”

For full results, click here.

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