Show Jumping To Glory: US Olympian Mclain Ward And High Star Hero Speed To Victory In $400,000 CSI5*-W 1.60M Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles
Competitors from 18 Nations and Multiple Olympians Competed Under the Lights Saturday Night at Santa Anita Park in the Ultimate Test of Speed and Athleticism for Horse & Rider
Earlier in the day, Jessica Springsteen (USA) won the $40,000 CSI5* 1.50M Two Round Competition
ARCADIA, CA (November 23, 2025) – The world’s top show jumping athletes, representing 18 nations, took center stage at 1/ST’s Santa Anita Park under the lights on Saturday night as McLain Ward (USA) aboard High Star Hero delivered an exceptional performance to claim victory in the $400,000 CSI5*-W 1.60M Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles. Richard Vogel (GER) on Gangster Montdesir claimed a very close second, with Nina Mallevaey (FRA) aboard Dynastie De Beaufour rounding out the podium.
The 1.60M Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles, the marquee class of the Santa Anita CSI5*-W in partnership with Split Rock Jumping Tour, is one of only seven North American World Cup qualifying events. Forty horse and rider combinations competed in this prestigious event and seven turned in fault-free performances over fences up to 5’3” high and 6’5” feet wide – about the height of a human and width of a pick-up truck! The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ highlights the world’s top horses and riders competing for major prize money and points toward the 2026 World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, TX, in April.
“On behalf of 1/ST, thank you to the competitors and their teams, our sponsors, event partners, and the community for your part in the success of the 2025 Santa Anita Park and Split Rock Jumping Tour event. Elite competition, world-class hospitality, and an energy that is uniquely Southern California combined to set the stage for the future of show jumping excellence at Santa Anita Park and provided a glimpse into the exciting possibilities for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman, CEO and President, The Stronach Group and Chairman and CEO, 1/ST.
“The second running of the Santa Anita CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles was an incredible moment for this venue, capped by a truly thrilling jump-off. I am so thankful to the competitors, spectators, and the entire equestrian community for supporting this event. The team at 1/ST looks forward to continuing to grow and elevate this event even further next year.” said Nicole Walker, Vice President, The Stronach Group and Equestrian.
Guests enjoyed an infield kick-off celebration at B’s Saloon, hosted by Desert 5 Spot, featuring the Compton Cowboys and special guests. VIP attendees experienced exclusive activations from The h.wood Group’s LA hotspot Delilah, while the “Desert 5 Round-Up” brought a high-energy, foot-stomping set from Desert 5 Spot’s house band, the Y’all Star Revue. Notable guests included pop country singer-songwriter, Dasha; Jeff Wilbusch, best known for his breakout role in Netflix’s Emmy-winning global hit Unorthodox; acclaimed German actress Sonja Gerhardt of Deutschland 83 and Ku’damm 56; and singer-songwriter Emily Roberts, who just released a collaboration on November 21 with DJ duo Loud Luxury.
This year also marked the inaugural Santa Anita CSI3* at Santa Anita Park, expanding high-level competition opportunities for athletes and exciting sport and entertainment experiences for guests. More than 500 horses competed over ten days at Santa Anita Park – the host venue for all equestrian events for the LA28 Olympics and Paralympic Games – during the 2025 Santa Anita CSI3* and CSI5-W*.
“The event was amazing last night. We had incredible sport – the course designer and the footing combined to put it at that level, said Derek Braun, Owner and Founder of Split Rock Jumping Tour. “What was nice to see in year two of the event was growth all around. Hospitality and General Admission were full, and four of the top ten riders in the world were in the jump-off, which was pretty incredible. All around, great growth in year two.”
Podium Results
🥇 1st — McLain Ward (USA) & High Star Hero
🥈 2nd — Reigning European Champion, Richard Vogel (GER) & Gangster Montdesir
🥉 3rd — Leading U25 in the World, Nina Mallavaey (FRA) & Dynastie De Beaufour
Top Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Competitors Included:
- Kent Farrington (USA) – Current World No. 1
- Karl Cook (USA) – California native, Paris 2024 Olympic team silver medalist; winner of the inaugural 2024 Santa Anita $400K Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles
- McLain Ward (USA) – Six-time Olympian and longtime U.S. team anchor
- Laura Kraut (USA) – Olympic gold (2008) and silver (2020, 2024) medalist, veteran U.S. team rider, World No. 8, and oldest American medalist at Paris 2024
- Richard Vogel (GER) – Ranked World No. 6
- Gregory Wathelet (BEL) – Ranked World No. 13 and winner of the $100,000 CSI5*-W 1.50 Welcome on Thursday night
Earlier in the day, Tokyo Silver Medalist Jessica Springsteen, aboard her speedy partner, Naomi Van Het Keizershof, bested 48 riders to take the win in the $40,000 CSI5*-W 1.50m competition over two rounds. She was the first to go clean and held her lead with a fault-free two rounds to capture the win. Natalie Dean (USA) took home second place on Pedro Van De Barlebuis, and Hilary Scott (AUS) and Lola finished third.
Media Assets for your use (Credit: 1/ST)
Media Contacts:
Lauren Kay, Remarq, lauren@remarqinc.com
Destin Judy, Remarq, destin@remarqinc.com
About The Stronach Group and 1/ST
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); and The Preakness Stakes (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.
About Santa Anita Park
Located in Arcadia, California, Santa Anita Park is one of the world’s premier Thoroughbred racetracks, host to legendary racing events including the Santa Anita Derby, California Crown, and 11 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. A historic venue for the 1984 Olympic equestrian events and future home of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Santa Anita Park continues to build on its legacy as a landmark destination for world-class equestrian sport.
About Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT)
Founded in 2015, the SRJT has revolutionized the way the sport of show jumping is presented in the U.S., creating a truly “unparalleled show jumping experience” for competitors, sponsors and spectators alike. More information on the SRJT can be found at https://splitrockjumpingtour.com/.