All Hail to McLain Ward’s First Lady! Duo Victorious in the $63,000 Welcome Stake CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News on 2025-10-24

Upper Marlboro, United States – October 23, 2025 – International jumpers took to the arena on Thursday, October 24, to contest the first two classes of the CSI5*-W competition at the 2025 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS Equestrian™. U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward rode First Lady for owner Robin Cleary Parsky to victory in the $63,000 Welcome Stake CSI 5*-W.

Course designer Nick Granat (USA) set the tracks for the night’s opening class, and 28 horse-and-rider combinations competed in the opening round.

Eight were clear and continued to the jump-off, while one chose not to return. Ward and First Lady set a neat and speedy time of 33.15 seconds for the win.

“I thought it was challenging enough,” said Ward of the course. “Nick is a great course builder, but he builds very delicate. I thought he had the right number clear. It was a fair, welcoming test.

“In the jump-off, I know she’s quick,” he continued. “I thought if I could get the first two jumps done — where sometimes she can jump a little high — I had a very good chance.”

First Lady, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare (Don Diarado x Lordanos), was back in her first five-star competition since March. She sustained an injury in May that took her out of competition until she returned to the FEI ring two weeks ago in two-star competition.

“We gave her a nice two-month rest, then legged her back up slowly, and brought her back up to the level,” explained Ward. “First Lady’s always been brilliant inside, but even with a few unknowns after a long layoff, I think she’s picking up even further along. Maybe she was due a little rest, and now she feels fresh and really enjoying her job.”