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

The $150,000 UF Health Grand Prix CSI3* highlighted another exciting week of FEI competition during the 2026 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC), bringing together 26 horse-and-rider combinations from nine nations. By the end of the evening, the leaderboard belonged to Richard Spooner (USA), who claimed both first and second place aboard Show Jumping Syndications Int’l’s Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano) and Serenity Spring Farm’s Belle Esprit (Cicero Z van Paemel x Baloubet du Rouet).

American FEI Level IV course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio laid the 1.50m track on Saturday night. Ultimately, eight combinations managed to keep all the rails in their cups and stay within the time allowed to qualify for the jump-off.

Venezuela’s Luis Larrazabal was the first to tackle the short course and immediately set the standard, guiding Marie Bourdin’s 11-year-old Selle Français mare Feeling Change (Cornet Obolensky x Diamant de Semilly) to a blistering clear round in 45.94 seconds.

Sharn Wordley (NZL) followed with a fault-free effort aboard Brin D’or de Haute Melen Z (Bamako de Muze x Baloubet du Rouet) but finished a few seconds off the pace. Aaron Vale (USA) appeared poised to take over the lead after stopping the clock in 45.80 seconds aboard Helios du Moulin (Untouchable x Quidam de Revel), but a heartbreaking rail at the final fence kept them from the top of the leaderboard.

Spooner was the only rider to qualify two horses for the jump-off and returned first aboard the promising 10-year-old Zangersheide mare Belle Esprit. After watching Larrazabal’s blazing pace, Spooner wasn’t convinced the younger mare could catch him.

“I watched Luis, and he was amazing,” he said. “Belle Esprit is younger and greener than Lyjanair, and I didn’t think I could actually catch him, but she was dialed in.”

Belle Esprit answered the call, attacking the short course with a forward gallop to stop the clock in 45.63 seconds to move into the lead.

Belle Esprit held onto the lead as the remaining combinations took their turn. With one final ride aboard Lyjanair and Tanner Korotkin still to jump, Spooner knew there was only one plan.

“Go as fast as I can,” he laughed. “You try to play to your horse’s strengths, and he has a huge stride.” Although he got a little close to the first fence, Spooner knew that if he met the opening vertical just right, the five strides to the next fence would be there. “It barely was, and he pulled the rabbit out of the hat.”

Spooner and Lyjanair soared over the final vertical and crossed the timers in an unbeatable 43.37 seconds, securing the victory and completing the impressive one-two finish.

The evening marked a breakthrough for both of Spooner’s mounts. He has partnered with the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Lyjanair, affectionately known around the barn as “Ratatouille,” for the past two years and felt their hard work came together on Saturday night.

“We’re starting to see things eye to eye, whether he likes it or not,” Spooner joked. “I’m really proud of him because in the beginning, when I tried to go that fast, he was a bit reluctant. Tonight was a real breakthrough and kind of a testament to the work that we’ve been doing. He’s just so game, and I love him. The scope is just unbelievable.”

Belle Esprit’s performance was equally rewarding as the mare continues to gain valuable experience at the international level. Spooner noted that it was only her second or third CSI3* and called it “a banner night for her,” adding that he “couldn’t have been any happier with her performance.”

Maleah Lang McMahon (AUS) earned the $5,000 bonus as the highest-placed U25 rider after piloting Elalisa (Colman x Con Air) to fourth place. Luke Sassi also received a $1,000 bonus as the groom of the winning horse.