McLain Ward and Optimum Pozitano took centre stage at the Washington International Horse Show at the weekend, taking out the EMO/Berkley Underwriting Partners Puissance with a high jump of 7'2 ½". Eight competitors partook in the annual tradition, and a record crowd estimated at 11,000 spectators cheered for each and every rider. The class was held under a FEI Article 262.2 format.
Harrie Smolders, last year's winner, and Exquis Quebec were the first to take on the course, which consisted of three smaller jumps and the final fence, an intimidating red brick wall that stood six feet in height. Exquis Quebec put on the brakes at the wall, refusing to jump the obstacle, and Smolders' opted to retire by re-jumping fence one. William Lowry and Rio Corde approached the course next. Lowry's horse sailed over the wall with ease and qualified for another round of action as the crowd erupted into applause.
Aaron Vale and Gentleman George, owned by Solitude Farm, gave it their best, but the pair pulled down the green boxes at the top of the wall and accumulated four faults. Jimmy Torano and Lerona also took home a score of four faults after knocking down the wall. Their identical scores of four faults would tie Vale and Torano for sixth place.
McLain Ward and Optimum Pozitano, owned by Ward and Gut Einhaus, soared over the wall, indicating a jump off would be in order. Nineteen year old Evan Coluccio and Tornado R also qualified for a tie breaker. Tornado R is owned by Randy Johnson and Greener Pastures. Soon after, Nick Skelton and Lisa Hales' horse Russel arched effortlessly over the wall, and Mark Leone, a previous winner of the class, rode Ri-Arm Farm's Diamond Safari to a clear round as well.
After the jump off course was set, riders were required to successfully jump fence three and make a turn to the massive wall, which stood at 6'5". Lowry, Ward, Coluccio, Skelton, and Leone each mastered the course, causing the audience to cheer wildly for another round of excitement.
The wall was then raised to a towering 6'11 ½", and Lowry was the first to approach the obstacle. Green boxes flew in the air as Rio Corde attempted the jump, and the pressure grew for the riders that followed. Ward confidently rode in, and the liveliness of the Verizon Center intensified. Optimum Pozitano was unaffected by the change in height, and Ward left the colossal wall untouched.
Coluccio returned and Tornado R punched through the wall, leaving red blocks scattered on the arena sand. After the fence was rebuilt, Russel and Skelton revisited the ring and, while in the corner, trotted a few steps before picking up the canter and heading towards the huge jump. Russel slowly leapt into the air, athletically clearing the puissance fence and demonstrating incredible scope. The throng of spectators shouted with surprise as they watched a second horse clear 6'11 ½".
Leone and Diamond Safari attempted to make it three; however, his horse caught the top part of the jump and stumbled upon the landing. The harsh landing jumped Leone loose in the tack and resulted in an unlucky fall. It was determined that two riders had qualified for another go.
Much to the disappointment of spectators, Skelton elected to not participate in the following round. Ward and Optimum Pozitano, however, were ready to go once again. The fence was reset and stood at an epic height of 7'2 ½". In order to let the horse and rider focus, the announcer asked fans to stay silent until the pair had jumped the giant fence. The stands held their breath as Ward cantered down to the gargantuan obstacle. Optimum Pozitano nudged the boxes, but the puissance jump remained standing tall. Ward looked behind him to find that he and his mount had cleared 7'2 ½", and a standing ovation congratulated Ward as he received the Congressman's Challenge Trophy.
"It was the first time I ever did him in the Puissance," exclaimed Ward. "He's done one before in Europe. Every round he felt great; he was very confidant, jumping it pretty easy. Nick [Skelton] really didn't want to go again, but we really thought that they make such an effort to put on this class, and the crowd supports it, we should try to put on a little bit of a show."
"You don't want to override it, but at the same time, it's starting to look big," smiled Ward. "You can't sit too quiet, so it's kind of finding the right balance and having a good horse. Actually, we were looking today, and this is the ninth time between my dad and I that we have won this class," he said proudly. "So, that was also nice. He's a very powerful, scopey, brave horse, and he really felt like he did it quite easily. He wasn't struggling to jump it. I think he could have jumped a bit bigger, but I don't have the aspirations to break the world record tonight," he laughed.
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