Press release from Wellington International, edited by World of Showjumping

Three of the world’s top ten climbed atop the podium in the CSI5* $500,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix, under the glimmer of Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International. Leading the way, world no. 6 Richard Vogel (GER) piloted up-and-coming mount Gangster Montdesir (Kannan x Cornet Obolensky) to win the first of four five-star events at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition, running through March 29, in Wellington, FL (USA). 

Vogel showcased a new star in Gangster Montdesir, stopping the jump-off clock at 42.65 to take the victory by three-tenths of a second over British Olympic Champion Ben Maher aboard Enjeu de Grisien (Toulon x Andiamo). At only 10 years old, Gangster Montdesir—the Selle Français owned by Karlswood Partners—is coming off a five-star grand prix win in Lyon last October and added a second on Saturday.

“It’s a very exciting addition to my string,” said Vogel. “He arrived last September—so a new partnership—but right away I had a super feeling with him. He always wanted to do a good job from the very first show. I couldn’t wish for anything more than how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for us.”

Of his winning jump-off round over 2024 Paris Olympic Games course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track, Vogel said: “I could stay on the gallop, and I think that’s what saved me; I didn’t have the tightest turns but kept the flow everywhere to stay in rhythm.”

Vogel, a German Olympian, has jumped four five-stars with Gangster Montdesir and has been clear in each one. “If you get such a talented horse stepping up so quickly, you always must find a balance—we want great nights like tonight, but we never want to over-face the horse. Right now, he feels highly motivated and very game. He’s green at this level, but we have high hopes for him,” said Vogel, whose groom Geraldine Baden was honored with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 prize for her care of Gangster Montdesir.

Maher, currently world no. 3, piloted Enjeu de Grisien, a 12-year-old Selle Français owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, to a time of 42.95 seconds as runner-up.

“I’ve had him since he was seven years old, so we’ve grown up together,” said Maher of the gelding that also finished second to Vogel and Gangster Montdesir in Lyon. “He’s always been in the shadows of some of the other horses, and he’s had to step up in previous months—he’s really taken the role on well. He’s been a little unlucky here and there, but he’s a very sharp, high-energy horse, and he’s an incredible learner. That’s been his biggest asset; he really wants to be a great horse.”

After skyrocketing up the global rankings over the last year to now sit no. 8 as the highest-ranked woman in the world, 26-year-old Nina Mallevaey (FRA) took third in 43.37 seconds riding Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) for owners Tara Down-Rein and the Rein Family.

“It has been a really fast year with a lot of change, but I think that’s a result of the amazing team around me,” said Mallevaey, reigning French National Champion. “I have incredible horses and incredible people—that’s what brings me here today.”

Dynastie de Beaufour, a 13-year-old mare rounded out a full podium of French-bred horses. “She jumped her first five-star with me when she was 11,” said Mallevaey, who has since piloted the mare to 11 consecutive five-star clears at 1.60m—making her the eighth horse to achieve a streak that long in modern history. “She feels like she could do anything. I’m lucky to have a horse like her—I give everything for this sport and my passion for the horses. I hope this success will continue.”

When asked how it felt to be back in Wellington in front of a sold-out stadium, Vogel concluded by saying: “Wellington is our home in the winter months. It’s my fifth circuit here, and it has always been good to us, good to our horses. Every year, we can step up a couple of new, younger, exciting horses, and Gangster is the one this year.”

After consistent placings during WEF 5, including a fourth-place finish riding Argan de Beliard in the Fidelity Investments® CSI5* Grand Prix, Lillie Keenan (USA) was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award to close the night.