Edited Press Release
Two-time Olympic team gold medalist for the U.S., Mclain Ward kicked off WEF 7 with a win in the $39,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty CSI5* 1.45m aboard the pint-sized superstar Catoki on Wednesday.
Ward took to Steve Stephens and Nick Granat’s (USA) two-round track against 55 competitors. Catoki, a 14-year-old Westphalian gelding (Catoki x Caretello B). The pair put in the fastest time of the day finishing in 24.18 seconds over the speed portion of the course. The second fastest ride of the class went to Tanner Korotkin (USA) and Quinn 33 (24.23) for owner Rupert Carl Winkelmann, and third place went to Emilie Conter (BEL) and the Stephex Stables-owned Clochard (24.55).
Ward and Catoki picked up the first grand prix win of the WEF 2023 season in the $75,000 Prestige Italia Grand Prix and are showing no signs of slowing down.
“Obviously, this is Catoki’s role in life. He’s had a nice little rest since early in the circuit, so he was fresh, but it was set up well for him,” Ward said. “One of the things I have to manage with him is that I don’t go too fast, so when it’s the short speed phase, that helps a little bit. I like to go early, I ride my round and hopefully put a little pressure on, but Tanner almost got me. The young ones are always nipping at my heels, but we held up.”
When cantering towards 1.45m oxer on a 15.2 hand horse, perspectives can change, but Ward says Catoki’s size is nothing but a positive.
“He’s basically a pony, and everything happens so fast, but he has the heart of a lion and he’s jumped some massive classes,” he said. “He’s very brave and matches that with speed and quality which makes for a great partner.”
Original press release from: https://wellingtoninternational.com
This Post Brought to You by:
BoneKare is the only supplement of its kind on the market. Recommended by users and veterinarians alike, the product is beneficial to horses in various scenarios including –
- Horses whose daily diet lacks fresh, quality green pastures
- Horses with neck, shoulder and back issues
- Horses with pre-existing or at-risk of bone disorders and injuries
- Broodmares in foal
- Post-surgical and healing horses
- Developing and aging equines
- Have competition lifestyles
- Have bone bruising and/or soreness from artificial footing
