American show jumping star McLain Ward has announced the departure of his Olympic mount, Ilex (by Baltic VDL). The 12-year-old gelding, bred by G. Maris, will return to Bonne Chance Farm, his owner, and is set to represent Brazil in the next chapter of his career.
“Today we said goodbye to Ilex,” said Ward in a heartfelt message. “We had two incredible seasons together. I’m grateful to Gilberto Sayao for the opportunity to ride such a phenomenal horse. Ilex was a fantastic partner, delivering top performances at several CSI5* Grand Prix events—and, of course, helping Team USA to a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.”
The pair made their final international appearance earlier this month in the Nations Cup of La Baule. Throughout 2024, Ward and Ilex were a reliable force for the U.S. team, including a standout contribution to the winning squad at the Longines League of Nations in Ocala.
Their 2023 campaign was equally impressive. The duo finished fourth in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva, fifth in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, and claimed a podium finish at the World Cup qualifier in Toronto.
The highlight of their partnership, without a doubt, was the Olympic team silver medal at the 2024 Paris Games—an unforgettable moment that solidified Ilex’s place among the sport’s elite.
