McLain Ward (USA) and Catoki © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 10, 2021 – On the opening day of week nine at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), McLain Ward (USA) and Catoki, owned by Marilla van Beuren, Bob Russell, and McLain Ward, galloped to the top spot in the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI5* on Wednesday, March 10, in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Wednesday afternoon’s feature class had 56 combinations contest the 1.45m two-phase format designed by Alan Wade (IRL) which featured obstacles numbered one through 13. A total of 32 competitors produced double clear efforts, but as the 18th to go in the starting order, Ward did it quickest aboard the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Cartello B, holding the lead to the end of the class to take the victory in 25.51 seconds.

“Alan Wade is my favorite course designer in the world so it’s always good to see him again,” said Ward. “The power and speed always sets up nicely for Catoki because he’s so quick. He’s got such good ground speed, which doesn’t allow for the bigger-strided horses to catch us over a longer course so it was a good track for us.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.