Many horses have potential that inspire big dreams in their riders, owners, and grooms. But how many horses actually achieve these dreams?
From the beginning, HH Azur's talent was evident to her caretakers and riders alike, as was her great attitude - an essential ingredient for a top show jumper. McLain Ward began competing Annie in 2015, racking up numerous wins. With her calm, friendly, and confident demeanor, Annie is an invaluable partner in the electrifying atmosphere of the show ring.
While still relatively inexperienced, "Annie" won the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at
Spruce Meadows (Alberta); the $50,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix at the
Hampton Classic (NY); the $50,000
Old Salem Grand Prix (NY); and the $132,000 Longines FEI
World Cup Toronto and $75,000 Big Ben Challenge, both at the
Royal Horse Show.
In 2016, Annie won the $380,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI5* during week seven of the
Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, and took home second in the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* during week 12 of the WEF. The pair then traveled to Europe and won the Loro Piana Grand Prix City of Rome and came in third in the Longines Grand Prix Port of Rotterdam.
But Ward and Annie's biggest accomplishment of the year came in August, when they were part of the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the
2016 Olympics Games in Rio that brought home the Team Silver medal.
The pair closed out the 2016 competition season with a win in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair only to secure another major victory in February 2017. HH Azur and Ward stopped the clock in 39.708 in thrilling jump off - claiming the win of the $380,000 CSI5* in Wellington for the second year in a row.
Not to be out done, never toppling a rail through five rounds of jumping, HH Azur & Ward claimed the
Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in April 2017 in Omaha - a win Ward has coveted for decades.
"When you have a horse like HH Azur, you just try and stay out of her way. She is something special, something brilliant," said McLain Ward of superstar, HH Azur. "I've never been around anything quite like her."
