McLain Ward and Cadence (Spruce Meadows Media Services)

Calgary, Alberta - Despite having first ridden Cadence last week, McLain Ward had confidence in his new mount. They have had a string of top finishes at the 'Canada One' and 'North American' Tournaments, and today was their first victory.

Ward was one of three that made it into the jump-off in the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m out of 36 entries. He was the first to go and put in an efficient round in 36.52 seconds with no faults.

Ward explained of his jump-off plan, “I was trying to be efficient everywhere without knocking a jump down. I knew if I knocked a fence down I was giving them a much better opportunity. They're both young and hungry kids. They're not just going to give it away. Wilton I know particularly well was going to try. It's his nature. I thought if I put enough pressure, I could make them make a little mistake. I thought if I could be neat and slick, it certainly would be difficult.”

Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Domino came in next and were also clear, but their slower time of 38.72 seconds left them in second place. Wilton Porter (USA) and Radio City were the final combination, and while they made a great effort in 38.04 seconds, a rail at the final jump gave them third place.

Ward was pleased with Cadence, a horse that he had seen compete before. Cadence is a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Irco Marco owned by Procedures Inc. “I had seen him quite a bit,” he agreed. “I'm thrilled to ride him and thankful to Megan (Wexler) for giving me the opportunity to ride him. He's been doing the big grand prix with her for a number of years now and I had seen him jump the first round of the World Cup Finals with Michelle Spadone. I knew the horse well. He was a little under the radar. I was nicely surprised when she asked me to take him and show him while she was pregnant. It's worked out to be a really good thing.”

Ward said that Cadence has been “trying really hard,” and has fit in well. “He's a wonderful horse and he's a real gentleman. He's so rideable that the time allowed is not a huge factor with him. He's always trying to help you,” he described. “He's a great competitor and knows his job. I had hoped, and he's even better than what I had hoped for.”

Ward broke the $1 million mark in earnings at Spruce Meadows this week and noted that his win with Sapphire in the $1 Million CN International Grand Prix “helps a lot,” and that he hopes to keep attending Spruce Meadows for many years and increasing that number.

He added, “It's great to see the prize money in our sport growing the way it is. It's affording the opportunity for those of us who would really like to be professional riders to be able to do that in the way we would like to, and not have to cover as many job titles.”

Beezie Madden was rewarded for her consistency in the 1.60m division and won her first CN North American Championship this week with Simon when she finished on 362 points. She was awarded a $15,000 bonus as well as one year's supply of gasoline up to $5,000 compliments of ESSO Imperial Oil. Reed Kessler and Cylana were second with 296 points for a $7,500 bonus, and Eric Lamaze was third with 272 points on Powerplay and picked up a $2,500 bonus.

Final Results: $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m

1. CADENCE: 2001 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Ivco Marco
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Procedures Inc.: 0/0/36.52

2. DOMINO: 2003 Warmblood gelding by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Azur Depaulstra
JOS VERLOOY (BEL), Axel Verlooy: 0/0/38.72

3. RADIO CITY: 2001 Holsteiner mare by Listos x Carthago
WILTON PORTER (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/4/38.04

4. DARLING: 2004 Westphalian mare by Cornet Obolensky x Gralshuter
AINSLEY VINCE (CAN), The Darling Group: 1/77.26

5. ZARA LEANDRA: 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare by Metropole x Ahorn
PABLO BARRIOS (VEN), ZL Group Inc.: 1/78.03

6. DUNDEE VD DWERSE HAGEN: 2003 Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Caesar vd Helle x Brownboy
CAMERON HANLEY (IRL), Eleonore Paschoude & Yves Bouvier: 1/78.26

7. ZAMIRO: 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Lupicor x G. Ramiro Z
SUSAN ARTES (USA), Alix Fargo: 1/79.09

8. BARANUS: 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Balou de Rouet x Centauer Z
IAN MILLAR (CAN), The Baranus Group: 1/80.41

9. VAUST: 2002 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Faust Z x Willow Cratic XX
BRIAN MORTON (CAN), Melanie White: 2/81.43

10. AMADORA: 2003 Dutch Warmblood mare by Chin Chin x Indoctro
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 4/74.24