McLain Ward Announces Passing of CSIO5* Horse - Imperial HBF

Imperial HBF, the 12-year-old Dutch Wamblood gelding (Glasgow Vh Merelsnest x Original Vdl) that Olympian McLain Ward rode to help the U.S. win two Nations Cups - Rome and Aachen - in 2025, has died from complications from colic.

Ward announced the news on Wednesday, February 11.

Great Britain's Tim Gredley had competed the horse high up on the international level before Ward took the reins a bit less than one year ago.

Ward posted the following, in part, on his social media page:

"It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Imperial HBF ("Paddy") yesterday due to complications from colic. Paddy suffered a bout of colic and, despite two surgeries and every possible effort to save him, the incredibly difficult decision was made--by his owner Michael Smith, myself, and a devoted team of caretakers and veterinarians--that the kindest and most humane choice was to let him go.

Paddy fought tirelessly, just as he did throughout his career as a competitor, and our entire family and team are devastated by his loss."

Ward ended the post with "Godspeed, Imperial."

Michael Smith posted on McLain's page that he is truly gutted and heartbroken.

Ward was known to be effusive when talking about the Paddy and how excited he was to compete with the black gelding time and time again.

Photo: McLain Ward and Imperial HBF in Aachen, Germany, Rolex Grand Prix, July 2025

Photo credit: Stefan Lafrentz / www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de