Horse Tales with Cat
An equestrian podcast for amateur riders, about amateur riders and professional riders and everything in between.
Catherine Shearon dives into conversations with equestrians from all angles of the horse world, to speak about topics that have never been discussed in equestrian interviews. Hear not just about how riders get started in their career, but about mental health struggles, overcoming confidence issues, the ins and outs of running a business, and more!
Come on this ride with us!
Horse Tales with Cat
Episode 34 - McLain Ward - Unapologetically Competitive
McLain Ward has had the pressure of trying to be “the best” on his shoulders since he first had success in the equitation ring winning both the USEF and USET Medal Finals at the age of 14 .
36 years and 5 Olympic medals in show jumping later, he is very forthcoming about the pressure he still feels and the anxiety that goes along with it-especially on those days when he is the anchor rider for the team.
However, he is quick to admit that grit, determination and hard work have always been on his side and ultimately his competitive nature will win over his nerves. He is “in it to win it”. 2 Pan American Individual Gold Medals and 17 World Cup Finals have not lessened his desire to be the best.
He is also the first to acknowledge that he wouldn’t have any of his success without the support of his team at the farm (especially Lee and Erica McKeever) and his own family. His daughter Lilly in particular keeps him humble.
McLain share his approach to training and where he thinks the sport is heading.
He even tells me what he is thinking about when he is on the podium - it’s not what you might think.
At the end of the conversation it is very clear that McLain’s success hasn’t happened by chance!
Shout out to my listeners in Virginia and Florida-appreciated the fan mail!😊🐎