Mclain Ward, the 5th ranked rider in the world, and his 14-year-old Belgian chestnut mare, Sapphire, won the Spruce Meadows Masters in a true battle of champions.
The Masters consisted of 45 horse and rider teams vying for the prestigious win but only two teams completed a clear first round over Leopoldo Palacios’ difficult course. In the jump off Ward and Sapphire went up against Hickstead ridden by Eric Lamaze, an equestrian Ward himself describes as “a great rider, if not the best in the world.”
Lamaze and Hickstead proved formidable opponents coming in second by only .02 of a second. The absolute best of the best gave the record 73,736 in house a great show. Still, Mclain Ward and Sapphire won what can only be described as one of the most prestigious (and richest) Grand Prixes on earth with a time of 37.76 seconds, walking away with $325,000.
But don’t feel too bad for Lamaze or third placed rider Ben Maher. Their placing earned them a respectable $200,000 and $100,000 for their efforts.
It is impressive how this team continues to amaze the crowds. These two are becoming a immortalized team in show jumping history like Ian Millar and Big Ben.