Nickname: Ilex Owner: Bonne Chance Farm & McLain Ward Groom: Virginie Casterman Gender: Gelding Breed: KWPN Disciplines: Jumping Sire: Baltic VDL Dam: Calendula Foal Date: 6/8/2013

Ilex joined McLain Ward's team at Castle Hill in January 2024 after beginning his FEI career with Brazilian rider Fabio Leivas da Costa. Ward and the flashy gelding immediately started to connect as they worked to get to know oneanother throughout their winter and spring campaign. 

Ward debuted the gelding in February 2024 and were selected to compete on the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team at the Wellington CSIO4* in March, where the pair secured a double clear effort to help the team earn third place. They then competed in the Longines League of Nations CCIO5* in Ocala, Fla., where they just narrowly missed the jump-off of the Grand Prix. Their winter season ended with their first significant finish, earning second place in the coveted $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* in Wellington, Fla. 

The pair competed lighting overseas before a strong showing at CHIO Aachen in Germany as their final event prior to Olympic team selection. The duo will be contesting their first Olympics together at Paris 2024.