Upper Marlboro, United States – October 23, 2026 – Upper Marlboro, MD – The 2026 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS Equestrian™ hosted a full schedule of competition on Friday, October 23, ranging from Small Pony Jumpers to five-star international jumpers. McLain Ward (USA) and his dependable partner First Lady, owned by Robin Cleary Parsky, raced down the homestretch for victory in the $63,000 FEI Accumulator Costume class.
“Jockey” McLain Ward and First Lady raced their way to the win by scoring the maximum of 65 points in the fastest time of 42.12 seconds.
Skylar Wireman (USA) and Citoki, a 20-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Chambertin owned by Shayne and Skylar Wireman, placed second with 65 points and a time of 43.16 seconds.
Third place went to Mark Bluman (ISR) and Phelina de Septon, an 11-year-old BWP mare by Jenson van’t Meulenhof x Landor S owned by Mario Deslauriers Inc., who had a time of 43.59 seconds and 65 points.
“It was a great feeling, because I knew she’d performed well,” said Ward of his thoughts after landing from the last “joker” jump. “At that stage, I had a pretty good idea of what the time was, and I felt like we had it in hand, but I knew there were some difficult ones to come behind me. MARS Barn Night and the costume class are great Halloween traditions at WIHS, and it’s fun to be able to participate.”
The Accumulator costume class was First Lady’s 14th top-five finish in FEI competition in 2026, and Ward stated she is a “week in and week out winner at the highest levels of the sport.”
He continued about the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Don Diarado x Lordanos), “She’s particularly handy inside, so in a small arena like this, it’s really not a problem for her; it’s an advantage. She’s been a great partner. The last three years, she’s really stepped up and been spectacular.”
Final Results – $63,000 Accumulator Costume class CSI 5*-W
1) McLain Ward (USA) & First Lady – 0 / 0 – 42.12
2) Skylar Wireman (USA) & Citoki – 0 / 0 – 43.16
3) Mark Bluman (ISR) & Phelina de Septon – 0 / 0 – 43.59
Source: Press Release from Jump Media for the Washington International Horse Show
Photo: © WIHS / Erin Gilmore Photography
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