McLain Ward and Hija van Strokapelleken. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL — February 22, 2018 — The 2017 FEI World Cup Finals champion McLain Ward notched another big win during the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Thursday, February 22, by riding Hija van Strokapelleken to victory in the $132,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

Ward won his second five-star Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup of the season on Thursday, after taking the top spot in week five’s class with HH Azur, his 2016 Olympic team silver medal mount.

Riding Hija van Strokapelleken, an 11-year-old BWP mare by Calido I x Azur de Paulstra owned by Evergate Stable LLC, Ward topped a class of 52 entries and 19 in the jump-off over an Anthony D’Ambrosio-designed course. They finished the short course in 35.20 seconds for the win.

Peter Pletcher and River Capture Green Hunter 3’3” Win

Peter Pletcher and River, owned by Shaw Johnson Price, kicked off week seven at the Winter Equestrian Festival in style with a championship win in the Green Hunter 3’3” division. The pair won a first in the under saddle and a first, second, and third over fences. Havens Schatt was awarded the reserve championship aboard Tyrion, owned by J T Farm, with a first, first, and fourth over fences and a fifth in the under saddle.

Equestrian Sport Productions | 561-793-JUMP | news@equestriansport.com | www.PBIEC.com