TRYON, N.C.--McLain Ward on High Star Hero celebrated his 51st birthday by winning the $340,000, CSI5* Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix on Saturday evening, Oct.17.

McLain Ward on High Star HeroSix of the 37 competitors went clean over the course set by Nick Granat of Canada to advance to the jump-off.

Ward's round was a clinic in how to ride a jump-off course.

He finished clean in 42.68, almost two seconds faster than second placed Christian Kukuk of Germany on Akarod Tivoli Z, who finished in 44.30, while Mark Bluman of Israel on Genial De B'Neville was third in 49.52,

Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on James Kann Cruz was the fastest of those with four faults, finishing in 44.07 to place fourth with Daniel Bluman on Corbie V.V. fifth in 45.30 and Gabriel De Matos Machado on Legaland Sandro sixth in 49.62.

"I thought it was a proper five-star Grand Prix anywhere in the world," said Ward. "You have a very top heavy group here. You have six of the top 10 in the world. Number one, two and three in the world."

"When I walked the course, I thought it was a pretty tough one today," Kukuk said.

"I have a lot of hope in this horse, Kukuk said. "I think he's going to be my best horse in the next years, so I'm happy with what he's doing here." 

"I knew that by going clear I was guaranteed a podium, and I was listening to my horse and what he needs, so I didn't want to take a risk. I wanted to play it safe and get a nice result for the horse and myself," Mark Bluman said.

 

"IT'S A PLEASURE to be sitting next to two Olympic champions. It's a dream come true," Bluman said on sharing the podium with Ward and Kukuk.

"For some reason, I've had a lot of seconds and thirds in this class at Major League Show Jumping. I've aimed at them but have come up short," Ward said.

"Hero has been great all year," said Ward. "I made a mistake at the last fence last week."

"For me, James Kann Cruz is the greatest horse, and he was going after me, so I had nothing to lose," said Ward of his jump-off plan.

"This was a great birthday, and thank you to his owner Mike Smith and all the fans here."  said Ward as the fans in the stands were singing Happy Birthday during the awards ceremony. 

For Ward, the victory delivered a milestone result on his birthday against a field featuring some of the world's highest ranked riders.