Competitions

Jessie Springsteen won the $32,000 Speed at Old Salem

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May 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, NY. .--U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen on Naomi Van Het Keizershof won the $32,000 FEI 1.45m Time First Round speed class  on Saturday, May 9 at the first of two Old Salem Spring Horse Shows.

Jessie Springsteen on Naomi van het Keizershof(Photo by SEL Photography)Springsteen finished in 63.32 seconds, two seconds faster than second placed Brianne Goutal-Marteau on S&L Marlon VD Heffinck, who finished in 65.23,

Philip McGuane of Ireland on Donvier was the first of 28 entries to compete over the course set by Alan Wade.

McGuane was clean and set the time to beat of 66.20 seconds, a clean time that was wasn't beaten until Springsteen went.

Eleven of the 28 competitors went clean, with only eight seconds separating those 11 clean rounds.

“I think she’s just so naturally fast, especially in the air,” Springsteen. “She can really cut in on the turns like that. I was able to really stick to my plan to shave off time in those turns, and she just went so naturally quick around the course. She’s great. She’s really competitive, and she’s super fun to ride."

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Mclain Ward won the $63,000 Welcome Stake at Old Salem

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May 9, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, N.Y.--Six time U.S. Olympian and World #10 McLain Ward defended his title in the $63,000 New York Welcome Stake on Friday, May 8, this time riding Lestro VD Valckenborg. 

McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valkenborg (Photo by SEL Photography)Nine were clean in the 12 horse jump-off from a starting field of 34 over the course set by Alan Wade, with Ward the fastest in 34.65 seconds.

“It’s always nice to win at home, and Lestro is a horse we’ve been very excited about for the last six months,” Ward said. “We acquired him late last summer from an Irish rider named Mark Finnerty, who did a beautiful job producing the horse. We’ve slowly developed as a team over the last six months, and in Florida, I was very optimistic about his future. I think he’s rounding into form. He’s a big horse with a lot of range and blood, so that makes him quick while covering the ground at the same time.

“He’s done for this week, and he’ll do the Grand Prix next week,” he said. “We’ll keep him here in the United States to do Devon, Upperville and Lake Placid, three great, iconic events here. I think it’s the right place for his growth. I have two other horses, Jordan Molga M and High Star Hero, that’ll be leaving for Europe next week and building toward the World Championships.”

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McKayla Langmeier won the $32,000 Two Phase at Old Salem

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May 8, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, N.Y.--McKayla Langmeier on Pepita VD Rollebeek won the $32,000 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase on Thursday, May 7 to begin the CSI3* competition at the first of two Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.

McKayla Langmeier on Pepita VD Rollebeek (Photo by SEL Photography)Half of the class of 50 entries were clean over phase one to go on to phase two over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland.

Langmeier was the fastest of those going on to phase two, finishing in 24.29 seconds to win over Mark Bluman of Colombia on S&L Eyes 4U, clean in 24.92 to place second.

Cousin Daniel Bluman of Israel on Gemma W was fourth, clean in 25.08, with Mark also finishing fourth on S&L Haquinsa, clean in 25.45.

Jessie Springsteen on Naomi van het Kiezershof, clean in 25.88, placed fifth, and McLaim Ward on Le Louvre 5, clean in 26.00m was sixth.

Going early in the order,, three-time Olympian and World #14 Daniel Bluman set the time to beat at 25.08 seconds, which held through most of the class.

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Alex Alston won the Cacchione Cup in Intercollegiate competition

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May 7, 2026

By Staff Writers

GLADYS, Va.--Riders from New Jersey finished second and third in the National Championship competition at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championship held at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C., on May 3.

Alex Alston on Bon BonIn IHSA competitions riders compete on horses provided by the member universities.

In the Cacchione Cup for the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, the Work-Off round showcased the top seven riders after the over fences and flat phases:

The work off included Alex Alston, Savannah College of Art & Design, Amaya Bellfield, University of Lynchburg; Emma Sameth of Far Hills, N.J., Sewanee: The University of the South (Sewanee, Tenn); Harper Eskey , St. Lawrence University (Canton, N.Y.); Emma Linton,Otterbein University (Westerville, Ohio); Eva Froio of Wall Township, N.J., Centenary University (Hackettstown, N.J.); and Natalia Onisko of Cranford, N.J., University of Delaware (Newark, Del.).

Judges Kat Mulkey and Heide Bossow-Casciaro tested the riders over a course of six jumps, including hand galloping, a halt mid-course, a counter-canter and a trot fence, before leaving the ring at the walk.

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Will Coleman won the Kentucky 5 star in a 1 - 2 finish for the U.S.

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April 27, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Will Coleman on Diabolo won the Kentucky CCI5*-L with Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake second for the best U.S finish in years.

Will Coleman on Diabolo (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Coleman, going purposefully slowly to ensure a clean round in show jumping, added just 0.8 to his dressage score of 27.3 to finish on 28.1 for the win.

Other than Tamie Smith in 2023, Coleman is the first American to win Kentucky in almost two decades.

Pamukcu was clean in show jumping after adding just 2.6 time on cross country to finish on 28.6 for second.

David Doel of Great Britain on Galileo Nieuwmoed, the only one of the 29 competitors in the 5* to finish on his dressage score, was third in 30.8

Monica Spencer of New Zealand on the thoroughbred Artist, who had led through the first two phases, had 12 faults plus 2.4 time faults in show jumping to drop to seventh.

For the U.S., Boyd Martin on Commando 3 was sixth on 34.2, and Phillip Dutton on Possante was eighth on 37.7, and those four top 10 finishes bode well for the U.S. in the upcoming World Championships in Aachen in August.

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Kent Farrington won the $340,000 Grand Prix in Kentucky

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April 26, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Kent Farrington on Descartes SR narrowly edged McLain Ward on High Star Hero to win the $340,000, CSI5*, 1.60m Grand Prix, a part of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, on Saturday evening, April 25.

Kent Farrnington on Descartes SR (Photo by Cindy Lee for MacMillan Photography)Farrington, riding a 9-year-old in his first time in a 5*, won in a seven horse jump-off from a starting field of 42 over a course set by Guilherme Jorge.

He went first in the jump-off and set a time to beat that couldn't be caught, a difficult feat he has accomplished several times.

He finished clean in 39.92 to beat Ward, who finished in 40.42, by a half second, with Shane Sweetnam of Ireland n James Kann Cruz third in 40.71.

Laura Kraut on Una Mariposa was fourth in 42.32, with Natalie Dean on Acota M fifth in 44.02.

Richie Vogel on Iron Dames Abou-Chaker NRW had 16 faults for sixth, and Jessie Springsteen on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve withdrew after a stop to finish seventh.

Farrington has an amazing way of finding new young horses and taking them quickly up to a high level.

He only started riding Descartes VR last year, and didn't compete him until this past winter.

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Monica Spencer on Artist leads Kentucky 5 star after cross country

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April 26, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Monica Spencer of New Zealand on the thoroughbred Artist continues to lead after cross country at the Kentucky CCI5-L, but Will Coleman on Diabolo moved up into second and Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake finished third.

Monica Spencer on Artist (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photograph)With a double clean cross country round, no jumping and no time faults, Spencer leads on 22.3 and has a rail in hand going into show jumping.

“‘Max’ was a champion today,” Spencer said of the 15-year-old Artist. “He ran and jumped the whole way to the end, and gave me a great ride.”

Coleman also was double clear cross country to stay on his dressage score of 27.3, and Pamukcu is on 28.6 after adding just two time penalties cross country.

Spencer has owned Artist since he was a 4-year-old, and has produced him to this level.

“I just think I’ve matured and learned how to go out in the lead, which was where it fell apart a few years ago,” she said. “So just maturity on my behalf and learning on the approach to the jumps, to think of the jumps, and on the landing to think of time.

“He’s such a good galloper, I can take my time at the jumps and push the button on landing and off we go,” said Spencer, who recently moved to this country to be closer to more top competitions than in her  homeland.

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Monica Spencer of New Zealand leads the Kentucky 5 star going into cross country

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April 25, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Monica Spencer of New Zealand on Artist leads the CCI5*-L after the dressage phase on 22.3, with Tim Price, also of New Zealand, on Vitali second on 22.6 and Tom McEwan of Great Britain on Brookfield Quality third on 25.1. 

Monica Spencer on Artist (Photo by Jen Emig for MacMillan Photography)Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake is fourth on 26.6 with Will Coleman on Diabolo fifth on 27,3, Phillip Dutton on Possante sixth on 28.1 and Boyd Martin on Commando 3 seventh on 28.2.

New Zealand and Great Britain account for six of the top 10 positions, with Harry Meade of Great Britain on Grafennacht eighth on 28.9, Price on Global Quest ninth on 29/8 and Meade on Superstition 10th on 30.2.

But, with less than 8 penalties separating the top 10, Saturday's cross country could change things considerably.

The leading horse Artist is a thoroughbred, belying the notion that thoroughbreds can't equal warmbreds in the dressage phase.

“‘Max’ was super today and gave me good energy in the test,” Spencer said of Artist. “I’m really pleased with him.”

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Will Coleman leads the Kentucky 5 star after day one dressage

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April 24, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Will Coleman on Diabolo leads the Kentucky CCi5*-L after the first day of dressage on April 23, but the top six riders are less than three points apart. 

Will Coleman on Diabolo (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Riders from the U.S. have started in a better position than in past years, with Phillip  Dutton on Possante second and Boyd Martin on Cooley Nutcracker fifth.

Despite an error that cost him a two point penalty, Coleman still leads on 27.3 with Dutton second on 28.1.

Tim Price of New Zealand on Global Quest is third on 29.8, world number one Harry Meade of Great Britain on Superstition is fourth on 30.2, and Martin is fifth on 30.7.

Coleman on Diabolo previously won the CCI4*-S in Kentucky.

“The first time you do a five-star in this kind of atmosphere, you can never sure be sure how the horse is going to cope,” Coleman said. “Diabolo got a little excited when we got up here but to his credit he went in there and stayed with me and did his job. There are little things I would clean up, but I really, really adore this horse."

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Kentucky Three-Day has 29 entered in the five star

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April 23, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--At the first horse inspection at the Kentucky 5 star Three-Day event all 29 horses presented to the ground jury passed.

Boyd Marin with Cooley Nutcracker (Photo by Amy Drago)No horses were held for re-inspection, all passed at first presentation.

Kentucky features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world.

The event annually attracts over 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of entertainment activities.

Additionally, Kentucky features the Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifying event, and the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix.

Dressage begins Thursday morning with the CCI4*-S in the morning, followed by the CCI5*-L in the afternoon.

Four of the top six riders in the world are competing for the top prize this weekend, including World #1 Harry Meade of Great Britain, who will be competing on Superstition and Grafennacht, World #2 Boyd Martin, who also brings two mounts, Cooley Nutcracker and Commando 3, World #4 Tim Price from New Zealand, also with two horses, Global Quest and Vitali, and World #6, Tom McEwen of Great Britain with Brookfield Quality.

You can watch the Kentucky Three-Day Event live for free on the USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. 

Kent Farrington won the World Cup Final with Katie Dinan third

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April 13, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

FORT WORTH, Texas--Kent Farrington, riding Toulayna and Greya, led from start to finish to win the World Cup Final on Sunday, April 12, and Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF finished third.

Kent Farrington on Greya (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photography)Farrington finished on four faults to win his first World Cup Final, with Daniel Deusser of Germany on Otello de Guldenboom second on seven faults and Dinan third with nine faults..

The U. S. had nine riders at the Finals, and all nine riders competed in the first round on Sunday, with six making the very final round, and four finishing in the top 10.

"I don't remember when we've ever had a result like that at the World Cup," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "Everybody rode really well."

“It’s always great to win the World Cup Final, but never better than on home soil! Most impressive though was that we showed a lot of depth this week with five US riders finishing in the top 12 placings,” said Ridland. “Across the board, our riders all rode extremely well, and finally, kudos to the organizers for producing a world class event and to Anderson Lima who built masterful courses all week.”

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Christian Simonson placed second again, in the Freestyle at the World Cup Final

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April 12, 2026

By Staff Writers

FORT WORTH, Texas--Christian Simonson Indian Rock scored a personal best of 83.810% to place second in the Dressage World Cup Final Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday evening, April 11.

Christian Simonson on Indian Rock (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photography)This was his second silver medal finish after also placing second in the Grand Prix Thursday evening.

Becky Moody of Great Britain on Jagerbomb scored 88.330% to win for the second time, and Sandra Sysojeva of Poland on Maxima Bella was third on 80.770%.

Kevin Kohmann on Duenensee finished ninth on 76.730, and Benjamin Ebeling on Bellena was 10th on 74.965%.

“We accomplished another goal we set for this year, which was to have our riders finish in the top 10,” said Chef d'Equipe Christine Traurig. “Ben and Kevin both have World Cup Finals experience, and they rode great tonight with good results in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Christian’s finish on the podium in second place is a fantastic result for USA Dressage and continues to build momentum towards this summer’s World Championships and beyond. I am so proud of our riders, their horses, the grooms, their personal trainers, and our owners. It was truly a great week to celebrate dressage here at home in the United States.”

On Indian Rock, a 13-year-old KWPN stallion, Simonson, in his first World Cup Final freestyle, rode to a Rocky franchise-themed choreography that showcased Indian Rock’s tremendous elasticity and power.

“We wanted to show the hero’s journey in the choreography,” Simonson said. “And we just really wanted to show how powerful ‘Rocky’ is, of course. It’s based on the music from the Rocky movies and the story as well.”

“At the end of my test, looking up and seeing this wall of people applauding Rocky and I, it was super special and something I will never forget,” said Simonson. “He’s such a special horse and deserves every amount of praise. This whole week has been a childhood dream come true and unbelievably surreal.”

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Kent Farrington wins again at the World Cup Finals

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April 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

FORT WORTH, Texas--Kent Farrington on Greya won Round two of the World Cup Final on Friday evening, April 10 after winning Round one on Toulayna to go into Sunday's final with zero faults.

Kent Farrington on Greya (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photography)Farrington won in a seven-horse jump off, going clean and finishing in 34.36 seconds.

Eiken Sato of Japan on Chadellano JRA was second, clean in 34.90, and Kevin Staut of France on Visconti du Telman was third, clean in 35.79.

Going into Sunday's two round final, Farrington is on zero penalties with a rail in hand over Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, who will start with four faults,

Staut will start with six faults, and Saro will start with 7 faults.

“I think I came with a faster horse today, which makes it easier,” said Farrington. “I’ve been really thinking about Sunday and wanted to measure her efforts and measure her speed to put myself in the best position possible. Hopefully we have some luck for the Final here on Sunday.”

 “She’s jumped indoors before, so she has some experience," said Farrington. "She’s 12 years old now, so when you look at coming from outside to inside, it’s not the easiest, but they both are exceptional horses, and when you have great athletes like this with experience, you’re able to do things like that. The venue will matter less with age because they’ll really know the sport and the game.” 

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Christian Simonson second in the World Cup Final Grand Prix

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April 10, 2026

By Staff Writers

FORT WORTH, Texas--Christian Simonson on Indian Rock finished second to Becky Moody of Great Britain on Jagerbomb in the Grand Prix at the World Cup Final on Thursday evening, April 9.

Christian Simonson on Indian Rock (Photo by Allen MacMillan Photography)Moody on her bronze medal-winning mount from the Paris Olympics scored 76.761% to win.

Simonson finished second on 75.413%, and 2024 World Cup Champions Patrik Kittel of Sweden on Touchdown was third with 72.869%.

When Simonson entered the ring, the Texas crowd was behind every movement as he executed his test with the 13-year-old stallion, Indian Rock.

The second-youngest athlete in the field at just 23 years old, Simonson was full of perspective as he shared the podium with Olympic veterans Moody and Kittel.

“It feels a bit surreal to even say that I’m here at a World Cup Final, let alone be here with two people I really admire and have watched for so long,” he said. “’Rocky’ was amazing tonight. He is a horse that is just so dependable. I love him so much, and I think he and I have such a good bond together.”

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Kent Farrington leads after day one in the World Cup Final

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April 10, 2026

By Staff Writers

FORT WORTH, Texas--Kent Farrington on Toulayna won the first class of the World Cup Final, a 1.60m speed class, finishing clean in 62.03, but perhaps the most impressive result is that four U.S. riders are  in the top six.

Kent Farrington on Toulayna (Photo by Cindy Lee for MacMillan Photography)Daniel Deusser of Germany on Otello de Guldenboom was second in 62.21 seconds, and three-time Champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland on  Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte was third in 62.49.

In the Speed class of 35 over a course set by Anderson Lima of Mexico, in which 3 seconds were added to a rider's time for each rail down, Lillie Keenan on Kick on was the fastest in the class, finishing in 60.78, but a rail down left her fourth in 63.78.

Jacob Pope on Highway FBH was fifth in 63.39, and Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25, who had been first to go, was sixth in 64.32.

"My strategy was really to stick to my own plan and execute on what I thought would work best for my horse," said Farrington. "She's naturally fast, so as you said, trying not to beat myself and put in a solid round. Happy to win, of course, thrilled with that, but it wasn't necessarily my plan to try to have the fastest time. I just did what I thought could be competitive round without taking all the risk and luckily, that was enough for the win today."

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Lillie Keenan first and third with Laura Chapot second in Welllington

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April 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla--Lillie Keenan placed first and third in the $35,000 National Grand Prix with Laura Chapot fitting  in between in second at the first show of the Wellington International Spring Series on Saturday, April 4.

Lillie Keenan on Electrique (Photo by Sportfot)Lillie Keenan on Electrique won in a 10 horse jump-off from a starting field of 45 over a course set by Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris (of Mexico.

After winning the $10,000 Open Stake earlier in the week, Chapot on C & C Willow led for most of the round with a time of 39.459 seconds. 

Keenan, second to last to go on Electrique, finished clean in in 35.855 seconds to win by almost four seconds over Chapot.

Keenan was also third on Anton, clean in 39.485 seconds.

Keenan is riding Electrique for her student and the horse’s owner, Isabel Coxe.

“I show her in order to give Izzy the best instruction I can," said Keenan. "I competed Electrique during Premiere Week of WEF, and it set us up well for them to be able to grow a lot in the season. That recipe seems to work for our system. The priority is that they develop a relationship and a bond, and see how far they can go together, but the horse is exceptional.”

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Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén is Developing Grand Prix Horse Champion

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April 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén on So Perfect won the championship of the Future Challenge Developing Grand Prix Horse after winning the Final with 71%.

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven on So Perfect (Photo by Centre Line Media)Canada’s Lindsay Kellock Duckworth was reserve champion on Kensington with 70.184%, and Dawn White-O’Connor finished third with 68.974% on Leon.

Now in its seventh year at AGDF, the Future Challenge Developing Grand Prix Horse Final drew a record 51 entries across its five qualifiers in 2026.

The final, in which horses performed the FEI Young Horse Grand Prix test, took place in the main arena and offered a prize of $15,000.

“It was so great that I could ride in this, to participate in the series and also promote it,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén, who has only been riding the 9-year-old So Perfect since buying him from Helgstrand Dressage in June 2025. “Initially, we started the developing young horse classes in Sweden in 2011 because we saw how popular they were in Germany. Then we wanted to give something back to the place we live in the winter."

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Colleen Loach won the four star short at TerraNova

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March 30, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

MYAKKA CITY, Fla.--Canadian Olympic veteran Colleen Loach of Dunham, Quebec 0n FE Golden Eye. the only competitor to finish the event with a score in the 20s, won the CCI4*-S on March 29 at TerraNova.

Colleen Loach on FE Golden Eye (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)The Event at TerraNova started out with a closely ranked leaderboard, but the cross country course changed things on Sunday.

Loach added just two time faults to her score to finish on 27.5.

Mia Farley on Invictus placed second on 33.6, after moving up from eighth place after dressage.

Dan Kreitl, who had led the competition after dressage and stadium jumping, stuck to his plan of taking an easy canter around the cross country course as he prepares Carmango for the CCI4*-S at the Kentucky Three-Day Event next month.

With 16.4 time faults Kreitl finished on a final score of 41.4 to place third.

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Erynn Ballard Leading Lady Rider

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March 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard won the Overall Leading Lady Rider Award after amassing the most points over the course of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Erynn Ballard on Her Game Ball (Photo by Sportfot)The Leading Lady Rider Award was presented each week of WEF to the female rider who earned the most points based on performances in that week’s WEF Challenge Cup and featured grand prix event.

Despite not winning a weekly award, Ballard kept adding points to her total week after week with consistent performances.

At the end of the season, Ballard was on top the standings with a total of 557 points to win the Overall Leading Lady title.

Nina Mallevaey of France, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 7, finished a close second in the standings with a total of 539 points, and Marilyn Little, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 1 and 8, finished third overall with a total of 529 points.

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Shane Sweetnam won the WEF Challenge Cup over Richie Vogel

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March 27, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam on Coriaan van Klapscheut Z won their second WEF Challenge Cup of the season on March 26 in Thursday’s $116,100 CSI5* class.

Shane Sweetnam on Corlaan van Klapscheut Z (Photo by Sportfot)The week’s first qualifier for Saturday's $1 million Grand Prix, a Rolex Series Event, was run under a Winning Round format in which the top 12 qualified to return for round two.

As a qualifier for the Grand Prix, one would have expected a tough course.

But in the Challenge Cup. in which the 30 top finishers would qualify for the Grand Prix, 25, almost half of the class of 60, went clean over the course set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil..

Ironically, Richie Vogel, in a press conference the day before, had said. "Everyone wants to be on top of their game. That’s what makes it even more exciting, it’s a guarantee of top sport. The classes are faster and the course designers build a little more, because everyone is in top form.”

And after 10 of the first 15 in the class went clean, it turned into a speed contest.

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Richie Vogel won the $32,000 Two Phase at WEF

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March 26, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Richie Vogel of Germany on Michael Jackson W won the $32,000 CSI5* Two phase on Wednesday, March 25 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Richie Vogel on Michael Jackson W (Photo by Sportfot)Vogel had just flown back from Europe after winning the Dutch Masters to win the first class of the final week of tWEF.

Vogel finished clean in 33.60 over the course set by  Guilherme Jorge of Brazil.

France’s Julian Anquetin on Beau de Laubry Z was clean in 33.92 to place second, with  Kyle Timm on Glamour du Chanu third in 33.95 seconds.

“He’s a very exciting horse; a lot of fun to ride, super fast and always motivated,” said Vogel, who just recently returned from his Rolex Grand Prix win in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. “He has shown how quick and efficient he can be, and it was a very fast class, so I’m even more happy that I could be at the top.”

The finale of this last week is the Rolex Series $1,000,000 Grand Prix.

“It’s something we’re all looking out for, and we get excited for it," he said. "We plan our string of horses around this week, and everyone wants to be on top of their game. That’s what makes it even more exciting, it’s a guarantee of top sport. The classes are faster and the course designers build a little more, because everyone is in top form.”

The Rolex Series includes seven events, beginning in Wellington and culminating in Brussels, with the world’s top riders competing for the podium.

The $1m Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix begins the series during Saturday Night Lights on March 28.

“Our sport is a lot about confidence, and at the moment, I have a super string of horses,” said Vogel. “That obviously gives you, as a rider, a lot of confidence. I couldn’t be thankful enough for all the super horses I have, and that’s already a big puzzle piece towards success.”

Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu on Medoc won the Future Challenge Final at the Festival

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March 26, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Canadian Olympian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu on Medoc scored 68.588% to win the Prix St. Georges Future Challenge Final on Sunday, March 22 at the Glpbal Dressage Festival.

Brittany Fraser Beaulieu on Medoc (Photo by Centre Line Medial)After five qualifiers throughout the Festival, nine made the cut to compete in the Final.

Lars Peterson on New Rock scored 67.853% to place Reerve Champion, and Hope Cooper was third on 67.353%, rounding out a trio of Dutch Warmbloods on the podium.

The series is open to developing small tour horses aged 7 to 9.

It is designed to offer horses with international quality the opportunity to perform a test under CDI conditions in the main ring but without some of the pressures of an international show. 

“We are so fortunate to have a class like this,” said Fraser-Beaulieu, who is the top-ranked Canadian rider at 19th in the world. “It’s amazing to get the young horses out in an environment like this with top judges. It gets them used to the show ring and the atmosphere. Jill Irving purchased Medoc when he was 5, and he just grew. He’s a very big horse, so we took our time with him, but he’s pre-schooling all the grand prix work, it comes naturally for him."

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Jordan LaPlaca won the Grand Prix Special at the Festival

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March 25, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Jordan LaPlaca on Gold Play won the FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Special on Saturday, March 21 at the Global Dressage Festival.

Jordan LaPlaca on Gold Play (Photo by CentreLine Media)LaPlaca was delighted as he had just won his second gold medal in his senior team debut following his team gold on Thursday.

LaPlaca and Gold Play, the youngest horse in the class, set a new personal best of 71% in the Special.

Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu of Canada on Jaccardo, won the silver medal on 70.362%.

Anna Marek on her sister-in-law Cynthia Davila’s Fayvel won the bronze with 68.021%.

That result was impressive given that Marek was only called up at the last minute to ride in the Nations Cup.

“I honestly expected none of this, and I’m a little bit in shock,” said LaPlaca. “Riding for the U.S. team is not only a privilege, it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. It’s what kept me inspired to learn, to teach, and to keep going. It’s incredibly humbling and an honor and I don’t take lightly. I just wanted to give my horse a good season and a good go at the CDI3* level, and it ended up in a gold medal. It’s what dreams are made of.”

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Richie Vogel won the 2* Grand Prix in Ocala

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March 24, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Germany’s Richard Vogel won the $65,000 Grand Prix CSI2* on Sunday, March 22, the final day of competition at the League of Nations in Ocala.

Richie Vogel on Cardentos (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Eight went clean from the field of 27 to make the jump-off, where six went clean again.

Vogel was clean in 35.46 to win by over a second over Samantha  Schaefer on James Bond HX, who finished n 36.96.

Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium on Rolex ter Leydonck was third in 37.27, with Eduardo de Menezes of Brazil on HS Kadco Hero Z fourth in 37.57, Beat Mandl of Switzerland on Pegasus fifth in 38.70, and Stephanie Maciera of Brazil on Kantella van't Merelsnest sixth in 39.84.

“It felt that we were still under control but he's a very speedy horse and he's game for it,” said Vogel. “He likes to be competitive and he’s super careful, so you don't really have to worry about a rail so much. You can put your main focus on getting good foot speed and turning a little bit tighter. It's a lot of fun with him.”

Vogel only began riding Cardentos earlier this season.

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Alex Matz won the $200,000 Grand Prix at WEF

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March 23, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Alex Matz on Junior Kannan won the $200,000 CSI4* Grand Prix, their first international victory together, on Sunday, March 22 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Alex Matz on Junior Kannan (Photo by Sportfot)Matz, 29 of Coatesville, Pa., won in a nine-horse jump-off over the course set by Andy Christiansen.

First to go in the jump-off, Ibrahim Barazi of Jordan on Joie De Vigo R.T. was clean in 37.04 seconds to set the time to beat.

That time held up until Matz, with only one to return after him, finished clean in 35.79 seconds.

McKayla Langmeier on Riesling van de Gaathoeve, was the last to go, but she came up short in 36.59 seconds to finish second.

Barazi was third, and Peter Lutz on Katriona, the only other clean in the jump-off, was fourth in 37.78. 

Kent Farrington on Descartes SR was fifth with four faults in 35.51, and Brian Moggre on Vivre Le Reve was sixth with four faults in 35.61.

“Junior is feeling phenomenal,” said Matz, who has ridden Junior Kannan for three years. “Today, he jumped even better in the jump-off than in the first round. I felt like I could really give it a go because of how he was jumping."

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Daniel Bluman won the $150,000 Championship Jumper Series Final

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March 23, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--In a thrilling jump-off, Daniel Bluman of Israel on Gemma W, going right after cousin Mark Bluman on Colombia on Phelina de Septon went a tenth of a second faster to win the $150,000 CSI4* 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final on Saturday eventing, March 21 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Daniel Bluman on Gemma W (Photo by Sportfot)Forty-three qualified for the Final, and under the Winning Round format, 12 went forward into the second round.

First to go in the second round, Nayal Nasser of Egypt on Igor van de Wittemore set a fast time to beat of 47.80.

Kent Farrington on Casynna, seventh in the order, finished in what looked like an unbeatable time of 47.47.

Three horses later Mark Bluman did beat that time, though, finishing in 47.22.

Then Daniel Bluman incredibly beat even that time, finishing in 47.10 for the win.

Mark Bluman was second, Farrington third and Nasser fourth, with Gabriel de Matos Machado on It Girl fifth in 52.03 and Marilyn Little on Narado, the fastest four-faulter, sixth in 48.35.

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Germany won the Nations Cup in Ocala over Ireland

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March 22, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

OCALA, Fla.--Germany won the second leg of the Longines League of Nations at the World Equestrian Center on Saturday, March 21 with Ireland finishing second and Belgium third.

Natalie Dean on Pedro van de Barlebuis (Photo by Kim MacMillan)In an extraordinary evening, the highly regarded U.S. team  of Laura Kraut, Aaron Vale, Lillie Keenan and Natallie Dean finished 10th with an incredible round one total of 49 faults.

The team seemed jinxed from the start as McLain Ward had to withdraw from the team just a few days before the competition after injuring his hand when a horse fell with him. 

First to go in Ocala was Keenan on Argan de Beliard, a horse than had four times last year jumped double clean in Nation Cup competitions, a feat almost unheard of.

Argan de Beliard had a fence down and then stopped so sharply at the last fence that Keenan fell off, to be eliminated and leaving the team on just three scores to count.

"The biggest mystery was Lillie's horse stopping," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "We're not sure why he did that. The last fence was right towards the crowd. Maybe he saw something."

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Rene Dittmer won the $120,000 Winning Round in Ocala

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March 21, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Germany's Rene Dittmer on Cody 139 won the $120,000 Winning Round CSIO5* on Friday, March 20, a part of the Longines League of Nations.

Rene Dittmer on Cody 129 (Photo by Sportfot)It was the second day in a row that a German won in the WEC Grand Arena following Andre Thieme’s victory in Thursday evening's $350,000 Grand Prix.

In the Winning Round format, the top 10 riders from the opening round returned for the “winning round,” so going clean didn’t automatically guarantee qualification.

Twelve clear rounds had already been posted by the mid-way break, and another five went clear in the second half, making time the determining factor over the course set by Alan Wade.

The top 10 went in reverse order of standing in the second round.

Second to go in round two, Marie Demonte of France on Epona du Quesnoy was clean in 38.89 seconds.

But her lead didn't last long as the next rider, Dittmer, also was clean but in a new leading time of 37.53 seconds.

That put the pressure on the rest of the field, and the next six had rails down trying to beat Dittmer's time.

Hunter Holloway on Pepita Con Spita had the advantage of going last and came the closest to catching Dittmer, going clean in 38.27 seconds to place second, leaving Demonte third.

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Frederic Wandres won the Freestyle at the Festival

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March 21, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Germany’s Frederic Wandres on Verrenberg won the gold medal in the FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday,March 20 at the Global Dressage Festival.

Frederic Wandres on Verrenberg (Photo by Centre Line Medial)For Wandres it was a new personal best of 77%, and it capped an unbeaten week for the Olympic gold medalist.

Ashley Holzer on Hawtins San Floriana won the silver medal with 74.35%, and Nations Cup first-timer Emma Caecilia Lienert of Germany on Windermere J’Obei W won the bronze with 73.105%.

“I didn’t feel much pressure, because I really enjoyed the last freestyle under the lights with Verrenberg,” said Wandres, who performed to an Ace of Base soundtrack originally made for his Olympic horse, Bluetooth. “The test tonight was super. He’s still a young horse, and he competed last week. It’s unusual to do two weeks in a row."

“In Europe, we wouldn’t do it because we have to travel long distances, but here we travel 10 minutes," said Wandres. "Verrenberg is fit, and he shone bright this evening. I think he really likes the music, and it suits him.” 

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Andre Thieme won the 350,000 Grand Prix in Ocala

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March 20, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Germany’s Andre Thieme on Paule S won the $350,000 Grand Prix CSIO5*  on Thursday evening, March 19, as part of the Longines League of Nations week at the World Equestrian Center.

Andre Thieme on Paule S (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Seven were clean from a starting field of 38 over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland, who made full use of the WEC Grand Arena with a beautifully decorated track.

Christian Kukuk of Germany won the $350,000 Grand Prix last year, and the reigning Olympic champion opened the jump-off with a clear round in 42.14 seconds on Fantasia de WY, to lay down the gauntlet for those who followed.

 But Thieme, who went fifth in the order, went clean in 41.85 seconds to beat him and give Germany a one-two finish.

France’s Nina Mallevaey, 26, on Nikka vd Bisschop, last to go, was clean in 42.49 seconds to place third, exactly as they had done one year earlier.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25, clean in 42.88, was fourth, and Natalie Dean on Mr. Bombastic, the only other clean in the jump-off, finished in 44.23 to place fifth.

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