Lilly Ward, daughter of two-time Olympic show jumping team gold medalist McLain Ward, launched her own show career in May in an Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show leadline class with dad and mom Lauren. 

Lilly may be heading down the road to stardom behind her show jumper father McLain. Now two, she's already gotten the show itch. With the help of dad and mom, Lilly tacked up her miniature horse Daisy for her first class on May 21 in North Salem, N.Y.

While the family was in Wellington, Florida, during the winter show season, Lauren let Lilly ride Daisy to the pony ring to watch Baylee McKeever, the daugher of McLain's right-hand man Lee and his wife Erica, compete in the pony divisions. As she watched Baylee, Lilly dropped hints to her mom that she was ready to show.

Twenty-one-year-old Diasy, whom the Wards bought from Kate Kocher Bechtel, was the perfect eqine partner for Lilly's first show.

"Lilly knows Daisy is her pony, and Daisy knows that she needs to take care of Lilly," Lauren said. "Daisy is interested without being pushy. Probably the reason Lilly loves her so much is because Lilly is allowed to interact with Daisy all by herself. She can go in the paddock, grab her halter, walk up to her, walk her around. Anything goes with Daisy, and that's what makes it so fun for Lilly, because she can do everything herself."

Lauren says Lilly understands the competition atmosphere and senses when she should be thrilled or upset. She knows the horses, the basic rules, and when dad enters the arena. She's quick to share her disappointment over faults by hitting her thigh and yelling, "Oh man, one down!" or to express excitement over a good result from McLain's mount HH Azur by saying, "Annie jumped a clear round!" and "Annie won!"

Lilly liked winning a ribbon at Old Salem. She's young, but who's to say she won't become an Olympic gold medalist or World Cup champion in her own right? We'll have to wait and see, but she's off to a good start.

Photo: The Book, LLC