AZUR’s return
Wellington, FL – The highlight event of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5*, was held as the final “Saturday Night Lights” class on Saturday, March 30. Topping the ultimate test at WEF were McLain Ward (USA) and HH AZUR GARDEN’S HORSES (E.O.) (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve/Sir Lui – breeder: N. Beaufort in B-8600 Pervijze)’s in a thrilling eight-horse jump-off. It all came down to the final rider in the ring to see who would receive the Rolex time-piece and top honors for the WEF circuit. With three wins in this final grand prix over the 12-year history of the class before Saturday night, Ward was certainly stiff competition.
Tapping into HH Azur’s massive stride and incredible talent, Ward galloped around and made short work of the jump-off. After adding a stride in the final rollback, Ward pushed to the final Rolex oxer. They sped through the timers in 37.42 seconds.
It was a great return to the top for the HH Azur, who is owned by Double H Farm, François Mathy, and Ward. A slight injury kept her from competing at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and since then, Ward and his team have worked to return her to her winning ways.
“I’m really excited for Azur and all of her owners,” said Ward of the 13-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui. “It’s been a long road back since she was injured last summer. Obviously, she’s one of the best horses in the world, and her not being fit and healthy for the WEG was a huge disappointment to everybody involved with her. It’s a real testament to Tim Ober, our vet; Mikey Boylan and Lee McKeever and his team, who really brought this mare back to top sport.
“Coming back this winter, we’ve had a little bit of four fault-itis,” he continued. “I thought she jumped really great in the five-star a few weeks ago here and had kind of a funny rail down. Then I made a mistake in California in the $1 Million Grand Prix. So, it was nice to put it together. I think she’s been in good form, but finally I put it together to not make a mistake. It was great for everybody involved.”
WEF concludes on Sunday, March 31, ending a 12-week circuit of top jumper, hunter, and equitation competition that awarded more than $9 million in prize money.
(Press release by Jennifer Wood and Summer Grace for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.)