Ward continues winning legacy in Toronto

Over the course of three decades, McLain Ward (USA) has built an undisputed winning legacy at the Royal Horse Show (CAN). Saturday night, he grew it further, winning the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto for the fifth time, this time with rising star Jordan Molga M.

Ward and the 12-year-old gelding bested a four-horse jump-off in front of a sold-out crowd in the Coca-Cola Coliseum, crossing the timers of Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) short course in 36.34 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Helios du Moulin finished second (37.68 seconds), with Jad Dana (LEB) and Itchcock de Dames third with a rail down in the jump-off (4/36.74s).

“It was a challenging course, but Jordan has been coming into great form,” Ward said. “He’s been 100% on his game all fall.”

Clear rounds came early in the competition, with three of the first four pairs through the gate executing faultless performances. But then the course began to unveil its nuances. The final line posed the most problems as the oxer jumping into the final combination on course fell repeatedly. As 45 percent of the class finished on 4 faults, Ward was the only athlete in the second half of the class to earn his way into the jump-off. Lillie Keenan (USA) and Amy Millar (CAN) came close to adding their names to the short list, but a single time fault kept them from advancing.

That gave Ward the most desirable position in the jump-off, allowing him to watch Vale, Dana, and Daniel Coyle (IRL) take their turns, some with mistakes. Dana and Coyle dropped rails at the same penultimate vertical, while Vale jumped clear but left the door ajar with a slightly more conservative track.

“I’m thrilled with [Helios du Moulin] tonight, and the jump-off was fun,” said Vale, whose horse was jumping in just his second competition at the 1.60m height. “There were a couple of places where I thought there was something there, but it didn’t seem like the right time to take the risk, so I knew [Ward] had a good chance to beat me.”

When Ward entered the ring as the competition’s decider, he planned an assertive start to the course to allow himself more time to respect the tallest jumps at the jump-off’s end.

“My horse has a big stride, and I tried to use that stride to my advantage,” he shared. “I think I made up the time in the beginning and then was able to keep it together coming home.”

Coming Back Stronger

Ward was partnered with Jordan Molga M last fall, and while the partnership came together quickly, results slowed when the gelding needed time to recover after a bout of colic. Jordan Molga M missed a planned start in the 2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals in Fort Worth (USA) and was away from international competition for four months.

Starting back up in international competition in September, Ward purposefully and gradually built the bay up with the aim of being back in peak form for World Cup season. The pair has improved its result with every leg of the North American League, finishing sixth in Traverse City (USA) and fourth at Washington (USA) before topping the podium in Toronto (USA).

“He’s actually come back stronger,” Ward shared.

Ward now has his sights set on a potential return trip to the Finals, which are set for Gothenburg (SWE) next April.

“At this point in my career, I will go if I think I have a horse that can be very competitive. I don't need the experience,” said Ward, who won the 2017 Finals in Omaha (USA). “But I think this horse has proven to handle indoors well, and if he feels in form, we'll definitely aim toward it.”

Ward now sits atop the North American League standings with 44 points. Coyle sits second with 34 points, followed by Shane Sweetnam, who has 32 points.

The NAL hosts its next leg in Los Angeles (USA) on 21 November 2026.

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