ROME, Italy--Two time Olympic gold medalist and current World Ranked number eight McLain Ward on High Star Hero won the CSIO5* Speed on May 22, the opening day of the CSIO Rome in Piazza di Siena.
McLain Ward on High Star Hero (Photo by FISEM Argenziano)Stephan de Freitas Barcha of Brazil, having just won the previous class, the Two-Phase, went 19th of the 60 starters on Dimozo, and set a very fast time to beat of 64.96 that led throughout most of the class.
It had begun to look as though he was going to post a second win.
The only rider to come even close to his time was Kevin Staut of France on Queen's Balou, who finished two seconds slower in 66.96.
Ward went fourth to last, and he set off with a determined air to the first fence.
Ward is a master at saving time with his ability to master tight turns, and with High Star Hero in top gear but always under complete control, he shaved .19 seconds off Barcha's time to go into the lead on 64.77.
Next in the ring, Emilio Bicochi of Italy on Excaliburg finished in 66.48 to beat Staut's time and finish third behind Ward and Barcha.
"THAT WAS very nice, we're very happy with him," said Ward. "This is a horse owned by Mike and Wendy Smith, and he was with Thaisa Erwin of Australia last year, and he had some success. I took over the ride at the end of last summer, and we've had some very good days, but a little bit of inconsistency. He's a very sensitive horse, and we're just trying to dial that in. But he has a lot of quality, and he wants to be good."
Ward had felt Barcha had been very fast and would be hard to beat.
"My horse has a very big stride, and this big ring is a help," said Ward. "Uliano (Vezzani, the course designer) allows you to get into a good gallop and just stay on it, and the more you just not interfere the more this horse relaxes and does a very good job. I was able to do one last to the last, and I think that probably sealed it."
