McLain Ward started riding after being encouraged to take up the sport by his parents who were professionals in the industry. In 1990, at age 14, he became the youngest rider to win the United States Equestrian Federation’s Show Jumping Derby. Ten weeks later, he became the youngest rider to win the USET Medal Finals, now known as the Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search Finals - East. He became the first and youngest rider to win both titles in the same year.

In his long equestrian career, Ward has won three Olympic medals, three World Championship medals, three Pan American Games medals and a World Cup Final Gold Medal. In April 2017, McLain was ranked #1 in the Longines FEI world rankings for the first time. He has won the Grand Prix of Devon 11 times and has had a long list of incredible equine partners including Twist du Valon, Sapphire, HH Carlos Z, Rothchild, HH Azur, Tradition de La Roque, HH Gigi’s Girl, Noche de Ronda, Catoki, and Clinta. McLain alongside wife, Lauren, and daughter, Lilly, owns and operates Castle Hill Farm in Brewster, NY and Wellington, FL.

Spurred by the encouragement of his horsemen parents, Shane Sweetnam began riding in his native Ireland at age 5. Born in Cork, Ireland, he attended the University of Limerick where he received his degree in computers. Shane began his Grand Prix career at age 16 and in 2004, moved to the United States to work for the U.S. Olympian veteran, Margie Engle. Today, Shane is a regular member of Ireland’s Nations’ Cup teams. In 2017, he was on the winning gold medal team at the European Championship. He has piloted winning horses including Amaretto Darco, Cyklon 1083, Main Road, Chacqui Z, Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, and Alejandro. Sweetnam and his wife, Allison, operate a training and boarding facility, Sweet Oak Farm. He also rides Spy Coast Farm’s competition horses to great success.

Daniel Bluman was born on March 15, 1990 in Medellin, Colombia. His grandfather is a Holocaust survivor who spent three years in Auschwitz and moved to Colombia after liberation. His father, Samuel, is an entrepreneur and his mother Orly, is a psychologist and social worker. Bluman’s parents taught him and his brother, Steven, the meaning of dedication, professionalism, integrity, and dependability. Inspired by his older cousins who loved and showed horses, Bluman started riding at age 3. As a young rider, Bluman competed in Colombia, Germany and in the U.S.A. and trained with some of the top equestrians in the world including a few years in Belgium with Nelson Pessoa. This led to competing at some of the best competitions in the world.

Representing his Jewish roots and second country Israel, Bluman is now helping the country shine on the international equestrian scene and is on the “Road to 2020” Olympics. Bluman’s top horses have included Sancha LS, Ladriano Z, Apardi, Colestina H, and Gemma W. Daniel and his wife, Ariel, support various charitable organizations such as the UJA Federation, INTRA, and Antorchas de Vida. They also recently created "Ride The Future" program, which helps pair professionals with riders who are interested in continuing a career in the sport, but may not have the means or tools to get far.

Sydney is the daughter of Jill Shulman and one of the head trainers at Back Country Farm. Now representing Israel, Sydney has competed across the United States and Europe for many years. In addition to training with her mom, Sydney has also trained with the help of John Roche, Brianne Goutal, Stacia Madden, Max Amaya and Frank Madden over the years to continue expanding her knowledge in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings. Sydney experienced an incredibly successful career in the ponies and throughout her junior years, winning the Ronnie Mutch Award, multiple championships at Pony Finals, the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, and more.

Sydney turned professional in 2015 and quickly grew to be one of the most competitive U25 and Grand Prix athletes in the industry. Since then, Sydney has continued to accumulate top placings at the most renowned horse shows in the country, such as the Devon Horse Show and the Washington International Horse Show at the Grand Prix level. The 2020 competition year has continued to bring success for Sydney and her impressive string of horses, including Villamoura, J-Boston S.E, and Azilis Du Mesnil, by capturing a notable list of wins all the way up to the 5* level.

Lorcan Gallagher comes from a horsey family in Newry county, in Northern Ireland. Lorcan started riding when he was 8 years old in the local pony club and by age 12, graduated to competing in the pony jumpers. As a junior, he moved to work and train alongside former individual World Champion, Dermott Lennon, where Lorcan gained valuable experience, moved up to compete at the Grand Prix level, and won his first Grand Prix. Lorcan has produced many young horses to compete at the top level, including the prestigious International Young Horse Finals in Dublin.

In December 2011, Lorcan moved to the United States and was offered a position at Shane and Ali Sweetnam’s Sweet Oak Farm. This is where Lorcan started to have most of his success, winning multiple Grand Prix classes and top results at shows such as the Hampton Classic, Winter Equestrian Festival, the National Horse Show, and Tryon. Lorcan made his senior Nations Cup debut in 2015, producing clear rounds for Ireland to secure a gold medal and silver medal at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Lorcan has coached riders to major wins across the country including the Prix De States and international level Grand Prixs. Lorcan truly enjoys teaching and seeing his students achieve their goals.