Competitions

Aaron Vale won the $120,000 Grand Prix at WEC

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March 10, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin won the $120,000 Alltech Grand Prix CSI3* over a field of 38 on Sunday, March 6 at the World Equestrian Center.

Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Seven went clean over the 1.50m course designed by Catsy Cruz, with only two going clean in the jump-off.

Vale was clean in 39.99 to win over Rodrigo Pessoa of  Brazil on Prins van't Eigenlo who placed second, clean in 43.39, and Spain’s Francisco Goyoga Mollet on Pst de Muze was the fastest of the four-faulters in 42.86 to place third.

"He’s a brave, game little horse, and he’s doing it well,” said Vale.

“I didn’t feel super fast in the beginning,” Vale said. “Toward the end, I caught a big angle to the vertical and made a really tight turn back to the second-to-last fence, so I got quicker as the course went on.”

“I bought him in France the summer before last, so we’ve had him a little over a year now, almost a year and a half," said Vale. "Not all 9 year olds are jumping classes like this. He’s a brave, game little horse, and he’s doing it well.”

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The U.S. Para Dressage team won the gold medal at the Festival

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March 10, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--The U.S. Para Dressage Team, anchored by record breaking scores from Fiona Howard, won the gold medal on Sunday, March 8 at the Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*.

Fiona Howard on Vianne (Photo by Centre Line Media)The U.S. team, led by Chef d’Equipe, Technical Advisor, Michel Assouline and Team Leader Laureen Johnson, scored 446.238 points to beat second-placed Canada’s 389.503 points.

Howard, riding a new mount, Vianne, is a Grade II competitor.

At this show last year, Howard scored a new Grade II Freestyle world record of 83.276% on Diamond Dunes.

This year, Howard, 27 years old, rode Kate Shoemaker’s Olympic bronze medalist mpunt Vianne, the horse she had only begun riding just days before the CPED.

She scored Grade II world records in each of their three appearances, scoring a winning 78.85% in Friday’s CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix A Test, followed on Saturday with an 80.444% Grand Prix B Test, with all three judges awarding at least 80%.

They scored a perfect 10 from every judge for the stretching walk half circle.

On Sunday, Howard scored her third world record in as many days with 84.934% in the Grade II Freestyle, with a winning margin of more than 18 percentage points over the second-placed combination.

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Mark Bluman on Ubiluc won the $62,500 Classic at WEF

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March 9, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Colombia’s Mark Bluman on Ubiluc won the $62,500, CSI5* 1.50m Classic on Sunday, March 8 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Mark Bluman on Ubiluc (Photo by Sportfot)Under the Winning Round format, the top 12 from the opening round jumped again on a clean slate to determine the winner.

Bluman, who is on an exceptional run of form with 14 international top three finishes since November, went second to last and finished clean in 32.77 for the win.

“My horse is naturally a bit quicker than the rest of the others across the ground,” said Bluman. “As I was walking in the ring, I asked my cousin if he thought I could get the seven to the double. He said ‘absolutely,’ and I think that’s where we caught the time. My turn from one to two was super slick, and then doing the seven was good enough to take the win.”

Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard on Dior went second and set the time to beat of 33.15, which eventually placed her third.

Ireland’s Jordan Coyle on Ariso, last to go, finished clean in 32.80 seconds to place second.

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Darragh Kenny won the $500,000 Grand Prix at WEF

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March 8, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny on his European Championships mount Eddy Blue won in the $500,000, CSI5* Grand Prix on Saturday evening, March 7 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Darragh Kenny on Eddy Blue (Photo by Sportfot)Kenny, who had never before won a grand prix at WEF, won over a field that included six of the world’s top 10.

From a field of 41, nine went clean over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland, who will be the course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

First to go in the jump-off, Marilyn Little on La Contessa set the time to beat at 41.92 seconds.

Then six rounds later, there was a very unusual dead heat - there was suddenly a tie for the lead as Australian Thaisa Erwin on her Paris Olympic mount Hialita B matched Little’s time exactly.

Little and Erwin eventually shared second place on the podium.

Kenny, going second to last, used Eddy Blue’s big step to leave out a stride from one to two and finish in an uncatchable 41.77 seconds.

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Marilyn Little won the $62,500 Speed at WEF

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March 7, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Marilyn Little on Narado won the $62,500, CSI5* Speed over a field of 48 on Friday, March 6 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Marilyn Little on Narado (Photo by Sportfot)This was Little's eighth international top three finish at WEF.

“In January, a 1.50m seemed like a dream,” said Little.  “Today was a big step up, and to see Norado be that quick over a big track from a difficult designer like Alan Wade is fantastic and proves how smart the horse is.”

Little was fastest by half a second, finishing in 67.98 to beat Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean, who finished clean in 68.62.

Jonathan McCrea on Jannan S finished third in 70.88 seconds. 

In the 8-year-old gelding’s first five-star outing, Narado added a second top three finish in as many days after finishing third in Wednesday’s opening CSI5* 1.45m.

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Ben Maher won the WEF Challenge Cup

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March 6, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--British Olympic champion Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien won the  $116,100, CSI5* WEF Challenge Round 9 on Thursday, March 5 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien (Photo by Sportfot)From a starting field of 45, eight were clean over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland.

Maher used his advantage of going last in the jump-off to finish clean in 36.39 to win.

Nayal Nasser of Egypt on ESI Ali was second, clean in 37.00, and Mimi Gochman on Iron Maiden,, first to go in the jump-off, was third in 37.89

“We’ve been knocking at the door,” said world ranked number three Maher of his first win at this year's WEF on Enjeu do Grisien

 “It was great to go at the end of the jump-off with an experienced horse," said Maher. "I got to see a little bit of what the others were doing. Enjeu is not the fastest horse in the first round, but in the jump-off, you can use his stride and let him go quick.”

“He’s an amazing horse, but he has been in the shadows of some of my own horses,” Maher said of the horse that most recently was second in the FCSI5* Grand Prix during WEF 5. “As those horses have had a break, he’s had to hold court on his own, and he’s really shone in that number one spot and had some great results.”

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Amy McCracken finished 15th in the Goucho Derby

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March 4, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

KIOWA-, Colo.-Jeanne Sharpe, formerly of Unionville, Pa., moved to Kiowa, Colo., and hunts with Comanche Creek, a pack of foxhounds that hunts coyote.

Amy McCracken Sharpe continues to read The Horse of Delaware Valley, often sends in photos, and sent this story.

"Our Huntsman Amy McCracken participated successfully in the most recent Gaucho Derby, a ride of 500 kilometers over the wild and rugged terrain of Patagonia in the Rocky Mountains for 10 days." said Sharpe.

Amy finished 15th out of 43 riders.

Competitors rode horses provided by the competition, drawing for the horse that they would ride each day.

"Our horses could never do this," said Sharpe. "The terrain and weather is very unforgiving. Winds alone were often 80 mph, and there was hail, rain, heat and cold These are Patagonia bred and raised horses. The terrain is very steep Rocky Mountains and steep valleys. There's deep water to cross." 

Riders get at least one horse a day," said Sharpe. "Some riders lost their horses and or gear and then had to walk carrying their stuff. Riders are penalized at Vet checkpoints if their horse has a saddle rub or has a too high heart rate. The ride is very well monitored."

"Some horses were just too wild for a particular rider to continue with, and they would redraw another horse," said Sharpe. "Riders had to help one another and tried to ride in small groups. They hobble horses at night since they are out on the range."

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Skylar Wireman won twice at Thermal

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March 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

THERMAL, Calif.--Skylar Wireman on Barclino B won twice at Desert Circuit 8 after returning from competing on the U.S. Nations Cup team in Abu Dhabi.

Skylar Wireman on Barclino B (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)She won the the $30,000 1.45m Open Classic on Thursday, Feb. 26 and then won the $75,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, Feb. 28.

 “I flew in from LAX yesterday and just literally got on to come to the ring this morning for this class!” said Wireman on Thursday. “I was just going for a nice, smooth round to set him up for the Grand Prix on Saturday. This is kind of our first week back after a nice break for him. I was thrilled with him. He jumped so well and was just so lovely to ride.”

Wireman was one of 25 to compete in the Thursday morning speed class, and her time of 64.983 seconds proved uncatchable.

Kyle King on Ninja BF was second in 65.534 seconds, and Mark Kinsella on Hamilton Ex Bart 111 Z was third in 65.739 seconds.

“I thought it was a nice course; it was very flowing and had some places you could shave time off here and there,” said Wireman. “In general, this horse is a very naturally fast horse. I don’t even have to think about going fast. I honestly was just thinking about cruising around and a nice, smooth round.”

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Karl Cook on Candy won the $200,000 Grand Prix at WEF

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March 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.-- Karl Cook on Candy won the $200,000, CSIO4* Grand Prix on Sunday, March 1,  just one day after riding Caracole de la Roque on the winning  U.S. team in the Nations Cup at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Karl Cook on Candy (Photo by Sportfot)A five-horse jump-off that included four nations set the stage for another face-off between the U.S. and Ireland, which had finished a close second to the U.S. in the Nations Cup..

After a flat-out gallop and leaving out a stride to the final fence over Steve Stephens and Nick Granat’s course, Cook and Candy set an uncatchable time of 36.87 seconds.

An extra stride in the same final line from Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny on Colibelle Hero Z left him second in a time of 37.72 seconds. 

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Nicola Phillippaerts won the $200,000 Grand Prix at WEC, Laura Kraut was third

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March 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Nicola Phillippaerts of Belgium on Gadget Mouche won the $200,000 Grand Prix CSI4* over Zoe Conter of Belgium on La Una and Laura Kraut on Bisquetta on Saturday evening, Feb.28 at the World Equestrian Center.

Nicola Phillippaerts on Gadget Mouche (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Thirty-four competed over the course set by Paris Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo of France with 12 going clean to make the jump-off.

Germany’s André Thieme on Paule S went first in the jump-off, going clean in 42.27 seconds to set the early time to beat and eventually place fourth.

Darragh Kenny of Ireland, Ben Maher of Great Britain, Christian Kukuk of Germany Lillie Keenan, Kent Farrington and Natalie Dean all had rails down.

Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut on Bisquetta, the 12-year-old Zangersheide mare she has ridden for nearly six years, went next.

Bisquetta was making her first start back since December..

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The U.S., with zero faults, won the Nations Cup in Wellington

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March 2, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

WELLINGTON, Fla.--The U.S. Jumping Team of Karl Cook, Callie Schott, Marilyn Little and McLain Ward for the second year in a row won the $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup on Saturday evening,Feb. 28 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

McLain Ward on Jordan Molga M (Photo by Sportfot)From the eight nations competing, the U.S. won with zero faults, Ireland was second with four faults, and Canada was thid with 13 faults.

In a tense finale, it came down to the final rider in the Nations Cup to decide the winner, and again it was McLain Ward, this time riding a new horse, Jordan Molga M, who delivered the winning round.

After Cook on Caracole de la Roque, Little on La Contessa and Schott on Garant had all gone clean in round one, Ward decided not to go in that round.

For Ireland, Cian O’Connor on Ulysses, Tom Wachman on Do It Easy and Shane Sweetnam on Rural Juniot SCF had all gone clean while Jordan Coyle on Chaccolino had four faults, so Ireland was also on zero faults.

As Ireland and the U.S. were both on zero after round one, the U.S. with a faster combined time last in the second round.

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Christian Simonson on Fleau De Baian won a second Grand Prix Special at the Festival

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March 2, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Christian Simonson on Fleau De Baian won the CDI3* Grand Prix Special 0n Saturday, Feb. 28, and Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén of Sweden won the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle Friday evening at the Global Dressage Festival.

Christian Simonson on Fleau De Baian (Photo by Centre Line Media)Simonson scored 71.255% in the pai's second-ever CDI Special, topping their previous best of 70%, set when they won during Week 5 of the Festival.

Endel Ots on Bohemian, who were travellng reserves for the U.S. team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scored 69.681% for second place.

Michael Klimke of Germany on the youngest horse in the field, 10-year-old Harmony’s Dante’s Peak, was third with 68.915%.

“Today ‘Felix’ let me ride him, gave me his back, and tried really hard,” said the 23-year-old Simonson, who only rode his first senior international big tour test in May of 2023. “I think the highlights today were the lateral work and the trot work, and maybe the extensions and the piaffe/passage. He let me keep asking for more and more.”

After a mistake in the one-time changes on the diagonal, which scored threes and fours from the judges, Simonson refocused Felix to ensure the pirouette-changes-pirouette sequence on the centerline remained fault-free and powerful.

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Maya Ines Denis Chambon and JJ Torano first and second in the U25 Semi-Final Grand Prix

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February 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Mexico’s Maya Ines Denis Chambon on Callypso de la Hamente Z won the $32,000 U25 Semi-Final Grand Prix on Friday evening, Feb.27 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Maya Ines Denis Chambon on Callypso de las Hamente Z (Photo by Sportfot)In a 10 horse jump-off from a starting field of42, Chambon was clean in 35.87 to win over JJ Torano on Lyon 50, clean in 36.78.

This Semi-Final Grand Prix followed a season of point-chasing in anticipation of the 2026 series finale taking place during WEF 10, 

Over the course set by Steve Stephens, Chambon, a five-time medalist at the FEI North American Youth Championships, was first to go in the jump-off, and her time proved to be uncatchable.

Germany’s Tony Stormanns on RMF Balouwinsky finished third in 37.66 seconds with Clara Propp on Mistral van de Vogelznag fourth in 37.84, Nina Bonnie's granddaughter Virginia Bonnie on Heldorado fifth in 37.91, and Alexandra Ryden on Irandole du Flot sixth in 38.79.

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Tom Wachman won the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup

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February 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Ireland’s Tom Wachman on Obora''s Laura won the $32,000 CSIO4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 on Thursday, Feb. 26 to open Nations Cup week.

Tom Wachman on Obora's Laura (Photo by Sportfot)Wachman, 21, finished clean in 66.24 seconds in the speed class over the course set by Steve Stephens.

The class was a qualifier for Sunday’s $200,000  CSIO4* Grand Prix.

“She’s a very good mare; competitive and careful. It was a tough enough track, so I was delighted with the way she performed today,” Wachman said of Obora's Laura.

Darragh Kenny, also of Ireland, on Colibelle Hero Z placed second, clean in 67.18 seconds , and Jacob Pope on Highway FBH was third in 68.06 seconds.

Wachman trains with Irish Olympian Cian O’Connor.

“Cian and I worked the last couple of weeks on turning because there have been a few speed classes where I lost time in the turns," said Wachman. "We have been practicing, and it worked out quite well today.”

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Megan Davis won the 4* Grand Prix, Endel Otis won the 3* Grand Prix and Adrienne Lyle won the 1* Prix St. George

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February 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Meagan Davis on Toronto Lightfoot had her fourth win of the year in the CDI4* Grand Prix, Endel Otis on Bohemian won the 3* Grand Prix and U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle won the CDI1* FEI Prix St. Georges in her international debut on Hussmanns Topgun on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Global Dressage Festival.

Megan Davis on Toronto Lightfoot (Photo by Centre Line Media)Davis scored 72.108%, another new personal best, in the Grand Prix.

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén, Sweden’s seven-time Olympian, finished second on Hyatt.

Three of the judges placed Silfvén first, but her total score of 71.544% left her second.

Ashley Holzer on Hawtins San Floriana was third with 68.478%.

Davis has been riding Toronto Lightfoot since finding him at Helgstrand Dressage in Wellington in 2022, and moved him up to CDI grand prix in September 2024.

He is the 36-year-old rider’s first and only senior international horse.

“Today, we had true power in the test,” said Davis, who spends summers in Saugerties, N.Y., and winters in Loxahatchee, Fla. “It was exciting to feel those hind legs up and ready underneath my seat bones; whenever I asked, there was more power. Every time we enter that ring, it’s about figuring out how we add the next component. Today we had the energy, and we had the softness over the topline, which is what we’ve been going for the whole season.

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Canada's Amy Millar won the Evening Welcome class at WEF

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February 27, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON,Fla.--Amy Millar of Canada 0n Christiano won a specially designed $5,000 Evening Welcome class on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Callie Schott on Garant (Photo by Megan Giese Media)The class was designed to allow those competing in the Nations Cup on Saturday evening to get their horses into the ring under lights and before an evening crowd, a situation that unnerves some horses the first time it occurs.

Eight nations, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, Mexico and the U.S., are competing in the Nations Cup, which begins at 6:30 Saturday evening.

While a few people chose to use the class just to get their horses in the ring and pulled up after a few fences,the majority jumped both phases of the Two Phase class, although only a few really went for speed over the second phase.

From a starting field of 36, 23 were clean over both phases.

Millar finished in 57.18 to win by a whopping eight seconds over Samuel Parot of Chile on Lisbeth TR, clean in 65.50, and Nicholas Gamboa of Colombia on Twilight was third in 65.78.

Some individuals will be using the Nations Cup to qualify for future international competitions.

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Samuel Parot and Amanda Derbyshire won at TerraNova

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February 24, 2026

By Staff Writers

MYAKKA CITY, Fla.--Samuel Parot of Chile won both the $65,000 FEI CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix and the $20,000, 1.35m Prix at TerraNova on Saturday, Feb. 21, while Amanda Derbyshire of Great Britain won the $32,000 Everglades Equipment Group 1.45m FEI Welcome Speed on Friday and placed second and third in the Grand Prix on Saturday..

Samuel Parot on Crystal Blue (Photo by Jessica Buehler)Richie Vogel of Germany drove back and forth between Myakka City and Wellinton, placing well at both TerraNova and WEF.

In the 1.45m Grand Prix, Parot on Chrystal Blue was clean in the jump-off in 39.66 seconds to win over the second place finisher Derbyshire on Cornwall BH, clean in 41.47 seconds.

Deerbyshire on Conblue also placed third in 49.08, and Vogel on Quizas Van ’t Hulsbos was fourth with four faults in 36.69

“Yesterday I didn’t go too fast in the Welcome Speed because I wanted to save him for today’s class, and he was fantastic today,” Parot said.

“He’s special because he turns so well,” Parot said. “This horse is fast, but he also has fantastic scope, I think that’s how we won. We were able to turn tight to the combination, then to the skinny, and then back to the oxer with another inside turn. He’s quick across the ground, but he’s careful and powerful at the same time.”

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Nina Mallevaey and Marilyn Little won Grand Prix at WEF

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February 24, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--World No. 8 Nina Mallevaey of France on Destine To Be won the $62,500, CSI5* 1.50m while Marilyn Little & Narado won the $62,500, CSI2* Grand Prix on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Nina Mallevaey on Destine To Be (Photo by Sportfot)Under the Winning Round format in the 5* Grand Prix, 12 returned to jump round two, going in reverse order of qualification.

Going second to last in round two over the course set by Anthony d’Ambrosio, Mallevaey was clean in 46.97 seconds to take a full two seconds off the previous leading time of Darragh Kenny of Ireland on Colbelle Hero Z of 48.92.

Kenny placed second, with Christian Kukuk of Germany on Akarod Tivoliz another two seconds back placing third in 50.93.

Kenny om Cosmos BH was also fourth in 51,19, with Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on Pia Maria H fifth in 51.71 and Nayel Nasser of Egypt on Crislin van den Bosrand Z sixth in 52.03.

“I was planning to do one less stride after the double vertical, and one less on the two to three," said Mallevaey, the 26-year-old reigning French National Champion. "I didn’t get there, but he’s so fast on the ground, I could add a stride and keep the rhythm. He’s so careful and has a lot of scope. I trust him, and I can ask him anything now that he trusts me.”

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Daniel Bluman won the $200,000 Grand Prix at WEC

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February 23, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Daniel Bluman on Corbie V.V. won the $200,000 Grand Prix CSI4* on Saturday evening, Feb. 21 at the World Equestrian Center.

Daniel Bluman on Corbie V.V. (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Six of the 23 entries were clean over the course set by Colm Quinn of Ireland, and four went clean again in the jump-off.

German Olympian Andre Thieme on DSP Chakaria was the first to go in the jump-off and was clean to set the time to beat of 38.16 seconds.

World No. 2 Kent Farrington rode Descartes SR, a promising new horse that already earned a win during Week I at WEC, and he finished clean in 37.42 seconds to take over the lead.

“We’ve been doing some smaller classes, trying to get him a bit more trained,” Farrington said. “He’s a spectacular jumper, but he’s just coming 9 years old, so he doesn’t have much experience. This is his first four-star; I don’t think he’s ever done a three-star. He’s made such a good amount of progress in such a short time. I’m very, very proud of the horse and really happy with the result.”

Then last year’s Week VIII Grand Prix winner Brian Moggre on, MTM Vivre Le Reve was clean in 37.67 seconds to finish just behind Farrington.

“To have the same horse, a bit older now, come back this exact week and give another double clear is really all I could ask for,” Moggre said. “He continues to give his best.”

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McLain Ward on High Star Hero won the 5*, $500,000 Grand Prix at WEF

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February 23, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--World No. 10 Mclain Ward 0n High Star Hero led wire to wire to win the $500,000, CSI5* Grand Prix during Saturday Night Lights on Feb. 21 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

McLain Ward on High Star Hero (Photo by Sportfot)Over the 1.60m course set by Anthony d’Ambrosio, six-time U.S. Olympian Ward was the first of the five that went clean from a starting field of 31.

Ward, knowing the four after him were fast, rode to planin the jump-off and set a fast time to beat of  39.14 seconds. 

"Going first wasn't the worst spot for me," aid Ward. "I could ride my plan and let the others come after me."

“You always feel pressure, you want  to compete well," said Ward. "But as those guys behind me went clean, it made my decision easier. All these guys are super fast riders with very fast horses. I knew they were going to risk everything to win. I had to do what I thought was the winning plan, and the horse responded beautifully. He’s been jumping great for the last six months, and I couldn’t ask for more. Tonight, it was inches. It was phenomenal competition, and once in a while you end up on the top end.”

Richie Vogel of Germany on Gangster Montdesir was second to go in the jump-off, and he showed why Ward's plan worked, because, while he took almost two seconds off Ward's time, he had a rail down trying to do it to ultimately finish fourth.

Mark Bluman of Columbia on Landon de Nyze finished second in 39.71 seconds, a half second back, and Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz was third in 39.91 seconds.

Nina Mallevaey of Frace on Dynastie de Beaufour was fifth with four faults in 39.53.

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Jordan LaPlaca on Gold Play won the Grand Prix Special at the Festival

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February 22, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Jordan LaPlaca on Gold Play won the CDI3* Grand Prix Special with their best ever score of 79,425% on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Global Dressage Festival.

Jordan LaPlaca on Gold Play (photo by Centre Line Media)It was only Gold Play’s second  CDI Special, but nevertheless LaPlaca had an excellent performance on the inexperienced 11-year-old gelding to post their first plus-70% CDI score in the Grand Prix Special.

The duo made their international big tour debut in February, and, just a month later, they won twice during the seventh week of the Festival.

It was a U.S. one-two-three, with Kevin Kohmann, who was born in Germany but switched countries in 2021 to ride under the same flag as his wife Devon Kane, finishing second.

Kohmann on Famous scored 68.34%, and Bianka Berktold on Imperial was third with 66.298%.

LaPlaca and Gold Play’s score was trending around 72%, but mistakes in both lines of one-time changes got marks as low as 3.5, dropping the score.

Their final score of 70.425% eclipsed their only other CDI Grand Prix Special result by more than two percentage points.

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Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque won the 1.45m at WEF

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February 21, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque won the $32,000, CSI2* 1.45m on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque (Photo by Sportfot)Cook will next ride on the U.S. team in next week's CSIO4* FEI Nations Cup.

In a nine horse jump-off over the course set by Anthony d’Ambrosio, Cook was clean in 34.90 seconds.

Coming off two-star grand prix success during WEF 5, Hilary McNerney on Corlando was second in 37.05 seconds.

Mexico’s Alberto Michan on Joint de Canabis van de Doornhoeve finished third in 37.44 seconds.

This week was Cook’s first trip to Wellington this season, and he used the two-star competition as preparation for the Wellington Nations Cup next week.

“The goal this week was to get her into the ring and make her feel like she’s in the game again,” said Cook of the mare that last competed at the end of January. “Our big goal this year is the World Games, so every single one of our decisions is geared toward putting us in the best place for Aachen.”

“I watched Hillary, and she was really fast, but the difference between Caracole and Hillary’s round is that we are a little tighter in the track," said Cook. "While it might not look like we’re going that fast, when you compare the two rounds, having that shorter track makes you save so much more time.”

“This is my only home Nations Cup this year, and Saturday nights here always have a great crowd, great atmosphere, and everyone gets behind it," said Cook. "I’m feeling in a really good place.”

In five star competition, reigning FEI Jumping European Champion and current World No. 6, Richie Vogel of Germany on a new rising star, Cardentos, won the $62,500 CSI5* Speed, finishing clean in 63.00

Vogel beat second placed Brazil’s Eduardo de Menezes on H5 Kontador VDM, clean in 64.41. by more than a second, and Rene Dittmer of Germany on Cody 139 was third in 65.84.

Isabell Werth won the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Festival

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February 21, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLLINGTON, Fla--German dressage megastar Isabell Werth on Special Brand 3 won the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, scoring 82.66% on Feb. 20 at the Global Dressage Festival.

Isabell Werth on Special Blend 3 (Photo by Centre Line Media)Werth  was making her CDI freestyle debut on Special Blend 3 during the ‘Friday Night Stars’ sold-out evening's showcase class.

Flipping the second and third places from the qualifying grand prix class, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu of Canada on Jaccardo placed second with a new personal best score of 79.25%.

Ecuador's Julio Mendoza Loor on his 2024 Paris Olympics mount Jewel’s Goldstrike finished third with 78.165%.

Riders from six different nations filled the top six places in the high-scoring class.

Special Blend 3, who is still registered to former owner Helgstrand Dressage but was recently sold to Werth’s student Natalie Stickling-Morzynski, belied his inexperience in the freestyle, as he was ridden to a classical compilation originally designed for Werth’s Olympic team gold medal-winning horse, Emilio.

Special Blend only got the call-up to fly to Florida a few days before the show after Werth’s intended horse, DSP Quantaz, got a small swelling on one leg.

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Darragh Kenny won the $116,100 WEF Challenge Cup

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February 20, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny on Eddy Blue won the $116,100, CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday, Feb.19 to open Week 7 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Darragh Kenny on Eddy Blue (Photo by Spotfot)From a starting field of 43, 11 advanced to the jump-off, with eight clean again, over the course set by Andy Christiansen of Ecuador,

Eighth to go in the jump-off, Kenny was clean in 37.90 seconds to beat Bertram Allen of Ireland on Conquest de Rigo, who had set the time to beat of 39.12 seconds

Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy JT Z was third in 40.01.

“I knew Bertram’s horse has a massive stride; he did seven strides from one to two. I wasn’t sure if I could do that, but it showed up for me," said Kenny. "I think my horse is more experienced than his in jump-offs, so that’s probably where it got him.”

Kenny was officially cleared to return to international competition on Feb. 13 after the FEI lifted a provisional suspension issued on Oct. 13 following a positive drug test during the FEI European Championships.

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Isabell Werth won the World Cup Grand Prix at the Festival

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February 20, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--The Global Dressage Festival's standing was raised into the stratosphere as the undisputed global queen of dressage, Germany’s 12-time Olympic medalist Isabell Werth, burst onto the Florida dressage scene on opening day of Week 7 of the Festival.

Isabell Werth on Special Blend 3 (Photo by Centre Line Media)Werth won the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix with her much-anticipated ride on Special Blend 3, scoring 73.13% despite the gelding losing a front shoe in the first extended trot.

In a truly international class, riders from six different nations filled the top six spots.

Ecuador’s Julio Mendoza Loor placed second on Jewel’s Goldstrike, the horse he rode in the Paris 2024 Olympics, with a score of 71.196%, which would have been higher but for a costly mistake in the two-time changes.

Canadian Olympian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu was third on Jaccardo with 70.761%.

“I lost my rein and then the shoe, which was funny, but anyway, Special Blend did really, really good,” said Werth, who last rode in Wellington 15 years ago on her Olympic team gold medallist horse, Satchmo.

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Conor Swail won in Thermal and Eduardo de Menezes won at WEF

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February 19, 2026

By Staff Writers

THERMAL, Calif.--Ireland’s Conor Swail on Theo 160 won the CSI3*, $32,000 Welcome Speed on Wednesday, Feb. 19 on the Grass Field at Desert International Horse Park in Desert Circuit 7.

Conor Swail on Theo 160 accompanied by his dog Ralph (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)Eduardo Pereira de Menezes of Brazil on H5 Kontador VDM won the CSI5*, $32,000, 1.45m Two Phase at the Winter Equestrian Festival on the same day.

Despite being only the second pair to go the Welcome Speed, Swail set a time that would stand untouched.

Through the remainder of the class, no one came within even three seconds of Swail's winning time of 65.87 seconds.

Kaitlin Campbel on Cosm Questa VD Heffinck, the last to go in the Speed, finished second in 69.52 seconds, and Tiffany Foster of Canada on Anton was third in 71.50 seconds.

“All the numbers came up lovely for Theo, and he is a quick, competitive horse,” said Swail. “I must say, he jumped beautifully today. This is his first time out on the grass this year. He has been here before on the grass, and he is very good on it. I was very pleased with the size of his step and how easily he went around. It was very smooth.”

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Luis Fernando Larrazabal won the WEF Challenge Cup

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February 19, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Venezuelan Olympian Luis Fernando Larrazabal on Baroness won the $62,500, CSI3* WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 on Feb. 14 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal Baroness (Photo by Sportfot)The win was their third international victory at WEF this season and came on the grass derby field during Hunter week while many competitors were in Ocala at the World Cup qualifier.

Over the course set by Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris, 14 were clean to go on to the jump-off.

Larrazabal finished clean in 45.78, with Ireland’s Bertram Allen on Pacino Amiro, his mount from the Tokyo Olympic Games, second in 46.61 seconds.

Quentin Judge on HH Griffin van de Heffinck was third in 46.97 seconds.

“When we come out here on the grass field, she has a lot of success, and I always have a good feeling, but you never know until you pass the timer flags after that last jump,” said Larrazabal. “I’m very pleased. Luckily, I was at the end of the second round, which gave me perspective on how the others were doing.

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Richie Vogel on Cardentos won the 2 star Grand Prix at WEC

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February 17, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla,--Richard Vogel of Germany on Cardentos, a new ride, won the $65,000 Grand Prix CSI2* on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the World Equestrian Center.

Richie Vogel on Cardentos (Photo by Andrew Ryback)A field of 37 competed over a course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal, with 11 going clean, seven of which were also clean in the jump-off.

It was a very tight jump-off, with the top five times all within one second.

Vogel was clean in 32.44 seconds to win, with Vaclav Stanek of Czechoslovakia on Langley second in 32.52 seconds, and Mark Bluman of Colombia on Hastella third in 34.54, just two one-hundredths of a second back. 

This was the first FEI competition for Vogel on Cardentos after first competing three weeks ago in a national competition.

“Cardentos is a very exciting addition to our string of horses,” said Vogel of the nine-year-old Holsteiner stallion. “He felt very good today. I think with him, it's just about giving him confidence. He has a lot of quality, and I'm super happy with the result today."

“He wants to be very, very careful, so I don't have to protect too much,” he said. “I can really focus on having good foot speed and almost, in a way, attack the jumps. I think that was a good advantage today that I could keep going everywhere.”

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Ben Maher on Ginger Blue won the Speed at WEC

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February 16, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Great Britain's' Ben Maher on Ginger-Blue won the $62,500 1.50m Speed CSI5*-W class on Saturday, Feb. 14, repeating their winning performance from Thursday, at the Winter Equestrian Center.

Ben Maher on Ginger-Blue (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Despite going very early, third in the class of 33, Maher set the early time to beat of 56.56 seconds and couldn’t be caught.

Of the 14 that jumped clean in the Speed class, Wednesday’s winners, Erynn Ballard of Canada on Her Game Ball BG placed second, just off the pace in 56.64 seconds, and Laura Kraut on Tres Bien Z placed third with a time of 57.12 seconds.

Hunter Holloway on Pepita Con Spita was fourth in 57.30, with Jordan Coyle of Ireland on For Gold fifth  in 57.77 and Nina Mallevaey of France on My Clementine sixth in 58.27.

Only 1.71 seconds separated the top six placed entries, with less than eight seconds separating the top14 finishers.

“The double of verticals were early on, and I was able to really ride at them," said Maher. "It’s slightly unconventional compared to some horses where you have to be more careful, but I really trust her quality, and we know each other well. After that some of the distances were short, but I was able to just keep a little bit of outside line and keep traveling forward, which made the lines slightly quicker. They got very, very close, but luckily, it worked for us today.”

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Natalie Dean scored in Abu Dhabi

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February 16, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

ABU DHABI, UAE--Natalie Dean had one of only a few clean rounds in the Nations Cup on Friday and then had another clean round, but with one time fault, in the Grand Prix on Sunday at the League of Nations first competition in Abu Dhabi, Feb. 11-15.

Natalie Dean The young team of Natalie Dean, Sophie Segal, Skylar Wireman and Callie Schott placed eighth in the Nations Cup, and then Dean,, seventh, and Segal, 17th, both placed in the top 20 in the Grand Prix against a field of 50 that included a number of of Olympic and World Championships medalists.

The Grand Prix turned into a very strange competition as five of the 13 in the jump-off had time faults, which completely altered how the competitors planned their strategies and their rides.

From the starting field of 50, the top13 with four faults or less qualified for the second round against the clock.

With a big, very hard and technical course with a very tight time allowed, only two were clean, five had time faults and six had four faults.

Dean had jumped clean but with one time faults in round one, so, with riders going in reverse order of qualification, of the four faulters, four had eight faults, and two went clean in round two to stay on four faults,

Then the strategy for Joseph Stockdale and Tim Greddley of Great Britain, with three time faults and two time respectively, changed for them, as they didn't have to go for time to stay where they were, and with the ability to take their time, both went clean to stay on three and two.

Marco Kutcher of Germany had added 11 faults to his one time fault.

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