The atmosphere was electric for the opening of the Washington International Horse Show. In both the 1.55m Opening Class and the Stars & Stripes Speed Final, elite combinations battled for victory, with McLain Ward and Daniel Bluman ultimately emerging as the standout winners of the day.
In the 1.55m Opening Class, eight combinations qualified for the jump-off. Riding the 12-year-old mare First Lady (breeder: Benno & Anja Vahrmann), McLain Ward secured a home victory! "The First Lady has arrived," McLain said with a laugh afterwards.
The pair sped to the win in 33.15 seconds, staying 0.4 seconds ahead of Mimi Gochman with the 10-year-old Inclen BH (Stakkato Gold, breeder: Gerhard Wippl). Ben Maher completed the podium, after finishing in 34.66 seconds, the Olympic (team) champion placed third with the KWPN stallion Faltic HB (Baltic VDL, breeder: M. Huisman).
Just off the podium, Katherine A. Dinan followed in fourth place with the 11-year-old BWP mare Out of the Blue SCF (Verdi TN). Aboard the mare bred by Spy Coast Farm, the American rider delivered a clear round ahead of Conor Swail and Casturano (Castelan). Only these top five managed to produce a faultless jump-off round.
Daniel Bluman and Gemma W win the Stars and Stripes Speed Final
The sporting program concluded with the 1.50m Stars and Stripes Speed Final!
Daniel Bluman and the 14-year-old KWPN mare Gemma W (Luidam, breeder: A. Waldman) finished clear in 54.98 seconds. The pair stayed just under two seconds ahead of Kaitlin Campbell and Cosm Hesed (Christian). Rodrigo Pessoa secured an international top-three finish with Corrie 9 (Comme Il Faut).
