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

The first of 10 weeks of international competition is well underway during the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). The 1.50m $62,500 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix qualifier CSI3* kicked things off in the WEC Grand Arena early Thursday morning, and it was world no. 1 Kent Farrington (USA) who proved unbeatable, piloting Orafina (For Fashion x Canturo) to the top of the leaderboard.

FEI Level III course designer Ben Townley of Great Britain set a winding track that saw horses jumping in top form. Out of the field, 15 horse-and-rider combinations advanced to the jump-off, but only five managed to deliver double-clear efforts.

Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) with Katniss du Val du Geer (For Pleasure x Kannan GFE) and Brooke Kemper (USA) with (Arpeggio x Lancer III) were the first to tackle the short course, but both would see a rail fall.

Farrington was next to go, coming off a fresh win last Saturday aboard his new partner Descartes (Caramelo x Oklund). This time, he entered the ring with his seasoned and speedy partner Orafina. “I always have a plan with her, and she just goes. She has a very big stride, so I can drop one easily. In the last line, she was easily able to do one less, and without even looking like she’s leaving out a stride.”

Farrington and the 14-year-old KWPN mare flew over the final fence, stopping the clock in an uncatchable 34.47 seconds.

“I’ve had Orafina for five or six seasons now. She’s been a winner since day one. She’s very fast and careful. She has a lot of personality and has been a great horse for my team.” Farrington currently has an impressive string, with several speedy mares among them. “They are great sport horses. They have a lot of personality. They’re real fighters in the ring. They’re careful and fast, and those are my favorite type.”

World No. 11 Daniel Coyle (IRL) returned to the WEC Grand Arena in podium fashion. Riding Ariel Grange’s coming 16-year-old KWPN gelding Farrel (Cardento 933 x Stakkato), the pair raced around the short course to finish just behind the winning time in 35.66 seconds, earning second place.

U25 rider Carlee McCutcheon (USA) rounded out the top three with Road To The Top’s Aralyn Blue (Chacco-Blue x Ludwigs As). The 21-year-old athlete guided the 15-year-old Oldenburg mare to a quick and efficient round, stopping the clock in 36.05 seconds for third.

International competition continues Friday, January 9, with the $32,000 1.45m Winning Round CSI3* at 8am in the WEC Grand Arena. The highlight event of the week, the $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI3*, will take place Saturday, January 10, at 7pm. Times subject to change.