DeRosa Daily - The 2007 Rolex FEI Las Vegas World Cup

USA's McLain Ward Rocks the Thomas & Mack Arena
Taking the Lead in the First Show Jumping World Cup Round

McLain & Sapphire Did What He Proved Could Be Done

Eighteen riders later McLain entered the ring on a horse that is not known for his speed and even as he went around the course you never sensed they were going fast. Yet, it was two daring inside turns that were what catapulted them to the top (63.78).

It wasn’t just the way he won the class that made this night so special. It was also an audience that was on fire with enthusiasm. As each of the riders out sped the prior rider you could hear the thunder of pounding feet and clapping hands. And when they exploded with enthusiasm after McLain’s round it made you proud to be an American and a horse lover.

When McLain was asked what was the secret to his success he responded, “A good horse and good people behind me and two inside turns… I think we all saw it and as the better horses came it was clear they could be done.”

Just as much a high as McLain’s round was so were some of the lows, especially a fall that Beezie Madden took. She was riding her Olympic mount Authentic ended up crashing through a fence he attempted to jump catapulting Beezie to a scary fall. Her mount continued to race around the arena even jumping a couple of fences in the process. With all the highs that Beezie’s had over the past few years this had to be one of those humbling times where you wonder what went wrong. Photo: Beezie Madden and Authentic by Diana DeRosa

McLain explained that George Morris said that those two really tight turns had been done by other riders but not both in the same course. Yet, McLain knew that if he was to have a shot at a victory then he’d have to go for broke.

“I tried some risks tonight with the turns and it went my way. It could as easily have gone the other way. My horse is not as fast a horse as both Marcus’ are so I knew I had to and decided to take the risk.”

And those words could reveal Beezie’s outcome as well. She went for a victory and this time things just didn’t work out. But there’s always another day and another class waiting to be won.