February 11, 2026 
On Tuesday, February 10, McLain Ward’s partner of just under a year, Imperial HBF, was humanely euthanized following a severe episode of colic.
According to Ward’s Instagram post, the 13-year-old KWPN gelding, “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.”
With his alert expression, ground-covering step, and naturally high head carriage, the gelding seemed every bit Ward’s type of horse. Watching the pair together in classes such as the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen last summer, it’s clear Ward and “Paddy,” as he’s known in the barn, were only scratching the surface of their already-special partnership.
Though their time together was brief—Ward took over the reins from Great Britain’s Tim Gredley in April of 2025—the four-time Olympic medalist’s fondness for the tall, dark, and handsome gelding with otherworldly scope was evident right from the start.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend,” Ward said in an interview at this year’s Longines Hampton Classic. “I’ll be riding Imperial HBF in the Grand Prix on Sunday. I think he’s possibly the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”
Coming from a man who also campaigned mounts such as Sapphire, Rothchild, and HH Azur over the course of his career, that’s saying a lot.
Together, Ward and Paddy helped win the CSIO5* Nations Cup in Rome for Team USA in May, followed by the CSIO5* Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen. Last year, the pair finished third on the podium in the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule in June, also earning two, 10th-place finishes in 5* Grands Prix at LGCT Paris and the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
With Gredley in the Irons, Imperial HBF took third in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier in Basel – St. Jakobshalle in January of last year, and finished fifth in the Longines Grand Prix of Basel. The pair also logged top 5 finishes in the World Cup qualifier in London, the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, and podium finishes in CSIO5* Nations Cups at Spruce Meadows and the Longines League of Nations Rotterdam in 2024.
“Paddy fought tirelessly, just as he did throughout his career as a competitor,” Ward said in his Instagram tribute. “Our entire family and team are devastated by his loss.”
We at Horse Network send our condolences to McLain Ward, Tim Gredley, and their teams, and to all of Paddy’s connections.
