There’s something magical about meeting your hero. For 10-year-old Evangeline Wasser from New York, that magical moment came at the Hampton Classic—and it completely changed her life.
Evangeline’s journey into the saddle began earlier that year when she started taking riding lessons. But it was a chance encounter at a press conference that would ignite her real passion for showjumping. Her father Jesse brought Evangeline and her twin sister Annabelle to meet US Olympic gold medallist McLain Ward, who had just dominated the Hampton Classic by winning the speed derby and placing third in the Grand Prix.
A Cap and a Dream
“I asked McLain what he does to inspire young people and what he could say to Evangeline,” Jesse recalled. While McLain’s first response didn’t quite hit the mark, the Olympic champion quickly asked for a second chance to answer—and boy, did he deliver.
Walking directly to young Evangeline, McLain placed his Longines baseball cap on her head and said something she’d never forget: “This is how I inspire young people.”
“Evangeline was absolutely thrilled,” Jesse said. What happened next cemented this as a pivotal moment: McLain spent time talking with Evangeline about her riding ambitions, and when she told him she wanted to compete, his response was simple and powerful: “Do it!”
From Dream to Victory
Those two words were all the motivation Evangeline needed. Within months, she was competing in showjumping competitions on ponies from Skye Acres riding school—and she was winning. In fact, she claimed victories in her first two competitions.
The incredible part? That same year in August 2018, Evangeline returned to the very place where her journey began: the Hampton Classic. And this time, she came with a victory story to tell.
Coming Full Circle
When Evangeline and Jesse found McLain again at the show—where he had just won the prestigious $300,000 CSI4* Grand Prix—Jesse made sure to update his hero on her progress. “I told McLain that Evangeline had been competing and winning, and asked if he had anything to add from last year,” Jesse explained.
McLain’s reaction said it all. He was thrilled for his young fan, and the moment was so special that photographers captured the joyful reunion for posterity. What started as a simple gesture—a baseball cap placed on a young girl’s head—had blossomed into real achievement and inspiration.
The Takeaway
Evangeline’s story reminds us why we love the equestrian sport so much. It’s not just about the ribbons, the jumps, or the competition—it’s about the connections we make, the mentors who believe in us, and the courage to pursue our dreams. Sometimes all it takes is someone you admire saying, “Do it!” to change everything.
For Evangeline Wasser, a simple baseball cap and a champion’s encouragement lit a fire that continues to burn bright. And that’s the real victory worth celebrating.