Press release from World Equestrian Center - Ocala, edited by World of Showjumping

The WEC Grand Arena once again hosted the feature event of the morning, the CSI2* $85,000 Buckeye Nutrition Grand Prix, during Week V of the 2026 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). Twenty-seven horse-and-rider combinations representing 13 nations set out in pursuit of the top prize, but it was Lebanon’s Jad Dana who continued his extraordinary week. Less than 24 hours after claiming the CSI4* $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix, Dana returned aboard Burr Associates, Inc.’s Leonidas (Kannan x Truus) to secure his second international grand prix victory of the weekend.

FEI Level IV course designer Marina Azevedo (BRA) designed an intricate 1.45m track with a tight time allowed that proved influential throughout the class. Only eight combinations managed to leave every rail in the cups while staying within the allotted time to advance to the jump-off.

Sharn Wordley (NZL) was first to return with Hagelin (Stolzenberg x Graf Grannus) and immediately set the pace, producing a fault-free effort in 43.73 seconds. Dana was next to challenge the clock, returning aboard Leonidas, the same horse that carried him to victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix just two weeks earlier.

“We ended up having eight in the jump-off, but some of the fastest riders had two horses in it,” Dana explained. “I knew it was going to be tough, and I went early. I went second.”

With a bold plan in mind, Dana wasted no time attacking the shortened course. “One to two is a really long gallop. The turn from two to three was hard. Inside the tree to three, thankfully the course designer narrowed up that oxer a little bit, but I was the first one to do it. My horse nailed it. Then I did nine strides after the double. I would say I got stuck on the second-to-last vertical. I thought maybe that’s where somebody could beat me. I just went really fast and gave him time to soar.”

The pair flew over the final fence and crossed the timers in a blazing 42.35 seconds, a mark that none of the remaining competitors could match. 

Following Saturday night’s CSI4* victory and a dominant stretch that also included four FEI wins just two weeks earlier, Dana admitted the recent success still feels surreal. “I mean, it’s a dream. It’s unbelievable. I was thinking today how lucky I am to be doing this and being very successful at it. I’m so grateful for this life.”

“I had one of my biggest wins last night, so I was still on a high. I came in today and thought, of course I would be extremely happy to win today again, but I was very happy with yesterday. So now to win again is just unbelievable. I mean, wow.”

Dana was equally quick to recognize the team behind his remarkable consistency. “I think I have an amazing team. My coach, Leslie Howard, is the best. Her husband, Peter, is our biggest supporter. He really is. The owners, my girls, Kelsey Fox Beusing and Juju Holmes, are just amazing. I know they want me to win as much as I want to win. I know the horses love them. The girls do an amazing, amazing job. The consistency really comes from everybody. Leslie trains my horses very well so that I’m able to do what I do in the ring.”

Tracy Fenney (USA) came closest to catching Dana’s time aboard Nina Koloseike’s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare MTM Can Talk To Me (Catoki x Acorado). The pair produced a blistering round, stopping the clock in 42.97 seconds to finish second.

Aaron Vale (USA) completed yet another international podium, guiding Thinkslikeahorse’s promising 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chutter du Rouet PS (Chacoon Blue x Sir Shutterfly) to a clear round in 43.52 seconds for third.