Gladstone, NJ - January 30, 1998

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has named show jumper McLain Ward of Brewster, NY as USET Athlete of the Month for January 1998.

Ward won the award for winning the $50,000 Coca-Cola Classic Inaugural Cup, the first Grand Prix at the Cosequin/Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL on January 25, 1998. Ward bested a field of 38 starters aboard the Germanbred gelding, Winstar. Ward was one of five qualifiers to advance to the tie breaking jump-off round in the grandprix season opener. In the jump-off, Ward turned in a clear effort in 52.83 seconds. Winstar arrived in the US on the Wednesday night and was ridden for the first time on the Friday morning prior to the Sunday win. "This may be a match made for me," Ward said of the giant baby gelding. "He's a gifted horse. I'm lucky to have a ride like that."

Ward was previously named USET Athlete of the Month for November 1997 for beating 25 world-class riders in the $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of New York on his horse Amity at the 114th National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City and for helping the U.S. win the Bank of Montreal Nations' Cup competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto on Omnibus, owned by Ward and Susan Heller.

Also in 1997, Ward was one of twelve riders to contribute to the USET's winning its first Samsung Nations' Cup World Series of Show Jumping Championship since 1968. Ward achieved an unprecedented seven clear rounds during the 1996 Fall North American Nations' Cup indoor competitions. Each month in an effort to recognize and reward stellar achievements, acts of enrichment, or meritorious participation by USET athletes, no matter which discipline (Driving, Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing or Endurance) the USET has proudly instituted its Athlete of the Month program.