McLain Ward (USA) and First Lady. Photo by Ashley Neuhof Photography.
Every time McLain Ward (USA) has joined the Roadrunners lineup for a Major League Show Jumping Team Competition this season, his squad has ended its day on the podium. That trend continued Friday, as the Roadrunners were the victors at CSI Greenwich, which in its third edition hosted MLSJ competition for the first time. Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Cathleen Driscoll (USA) joined Ward on the winning squad, with Driscoll securing the victory in a single jump-off aboard her reliable partner, Flotylla. The winning time was 43.78 seconds. Natalie Dean (USA) secured second with Dotcom d'Authuit for Team KPF (44.09 seconds), and Nayel Nassar (EGY) brought the Trailblazers into third with El Conde (44.28). An individual overlay was held concurrently with the first round of team competition; Daniel Coyle (IRL) finished best of that contest with Legacy (0/69.82).
"We're starting to have a good second half of the [MLSJ] season. [Driscoll] is a great addition to the team," Ward said of the Roadrunners. "I'm proud to be part of the team, and I'm proud of [my horse] First Lady. She's been brilliant in all three competitions, so she's been a great contributor." Eight teams came forward for the first round, conducted over a 1.50m track set by Alan Wade (IRL). The top four teams—determined by total faults and time—qualified for the jump-off, with a single representative from each of those squads returning in reverse order of standing. The Spy Coast Spies advanced with the best score, which left Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Out of the Blue SCF in the pole position for the jump-off. But Driscoll, jumping second, set a standard that simply couldn't be matched. In her first outing for the Roadrunners, she proved herself to be an asset.
"It's a bit of pressure being the only rider to go for the team, but I know this mare so well. We've had a lot of great results," Driscoll shared. "I had McLain at the back gate telling me to go like I'm trying to beat him. So, I went in, and everything just showed up perfectly." With CSI5* and CSI2* divisions on the schedule, CSI Greenwich spans four days, with the $500,000 CSI5* Grand Prix of Greenwich the competition's hallmark on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2pm ET. The event continues Saturday with the CSI5* 1.55m and the CSI2* Grand Prix. "There are great efforts here in the Northeast to bring really top level sport back to this great region around New York City, this home for us," Ward said. "I love being here. I stay in my own house, which is wonderful. Hopefully the weather holds off a bit this week, but this is obviously a phenomenal venue for the sport."
