On the Line

Epic. It’s “the” word among teenagers that means really, really great. And while quoting the slang of teenagers makes me feel about 100 years old, there’s no better way to define the weekend that American show jumpers had around the world. Remember those Europeans, the ones who kinda sorta stood by and watched as McLain Ward was taken down by the FEI one month ago? Some of them had to have been a little red in the face by Sunday night. McLain and Sapphire returned to competition for the first time since the World Cup, at the CSIO***** in La Baule, France, and capped a weekend of epic American dominance by winning the 1.60m €200,000 Longine Grand Prix on Sunday (fellow American Mario Deslauriers followed in a close second place.) The day before, on Saturday, Beezie Madden won the Lucien Barriere Grand Prix over 89 starters, and later that afternoon, Richard Spooner won the Derby (Derby De La Regio Des Pays De La Loire – how’s that for a long name??) with Pako, completing the only clear round and becoming the first American ever to win this derby. McLain won the warmup grand prix on Friday with his second string horse. And as if that wasn’t enough, over in Hamburg, Germany, Lauren Hough won the Global Champions Grand Prix of Germany with Quick Study and Laura Kraut placed third with Cedric.

So, naysayers and potential evildoers, take note. McLain & Co. are very likely still seeing red from the events in Geneva. However, instead of slinking away in defeat, McLain and the rest of the US team made their statement by stomping all over Europe with an epic slew of weekend wins. There are nine more super league (officially renamed the Meydan Nations Cup by the FEI, but that’s a story unto itself and everyone likes super league so I’m sticking with that) shows this season. Here’s hoping for a solid season of ass kicking by the American show jumpers. Go USA, go show jumping and go Sapphire!

I’m usually not this patriotic. But let’s face it: revenge is sweet!!! And epic!

Postmark: While we’re on the subject, check out the June issue of Sidelines, which went live online today. Our friends at PhelpsSports.com shared two very interesting, exclusive interviews with McLain Ward and George Morris on the WC debacle, and PS reporter Rebecca Walton details the whole thing in a separate article.