Richard Vogel gave all the praise to the promising stallion after an incredible effort. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Press release from World Equestrian Center - Ocala, edited by World of Showjumping
While five-star competition has concluded for the week, top show jumping continued on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). World No. 6 Richard Vogel (GER) piloted his brand-new partner Cardentos, owned by Witt Pferdezucht GBR, to top a very fast jump-off in the $65,000 Wild Horse Refuge Grand Prix CSI2*, earning their first international grand prix victory as a partnership.
Riding over a course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), the 37 horse-and-rider combinations produced 11 that moved on to the jump-off, seven of which ended up double clear.
Vaclav Stanek (CZE) and Langley finished second by just eight hundredths of a second. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
It was a very tight jump-off, with the top five times all within one second. Vogel led the way in 32.44 seconds. Second place went to Vaclav Stanek and Langley, a 12-year-old homebred Canadian Sport Horse gelding by Lansdowne x Andiamo owned by Ariel Grange, who finished in 32.52 seconds. They squeaked in front of third-place finishers, Mark Bluman (COL) and Hastella, by two one-hundredths of a second. Hastella is a nine-year-old Selle Francais mare by Quamikase des Forets x Vigo d’Arsouilles owned by Aram Ampagoumian LLC.
This was the first FEI competition together for Vogel and Cardentos. They started 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 by Cardento x Quo Vados that was bred by its owners. “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.
Mark Bluman (COL) and Hastella were bumped into third place by just two one-hundredths of a second. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
“He wants to be very, very careful, so I don’t have to protect too much,” he continued about his jump-off. “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.”
Vogel acknowledged the opportunity that WEC – Ocala provides for top riders to bring along younger or less experienced mounts in the same arena where top sport happens. “That’s very rare that you can bring so many horses to gain that much experience in such a great facility with perfect conditions, the environment, and the ambience like we find here,” he noted. “It’s probably one of the very few places in the world, so we’re very glad we can come here and take this opportunity.”
Richard Vogel and the friendly stallion Cardentos sped their way to the win in the $65,000 Wild Horse Refuge Grand Prix CSI2*. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Out of the 12 horses that Vogel has recorded results on in FEI competition, eight of them are stallions. Vogel noted that he doesn’t specifically seek out stallions, but that “they seem to find us.” His team has devised a good system to keep them all happy, knowing they require more specific care to keep them relaxed and settled. For Cardentos, that means twice-daily “strolls” around the show between riding and competing to greet everyone he encounters.
“He’s very happy to talk also,” said Vogel of the handsome grey horse. “Every time he comes out of the stable, he says hello to everyone; every time he enters the arena, he also says hello to everyone. He’s easy to handle, and he’s a very kind horse. I think that’s what makes him so great. He’s a very positive horse and always likes to give his best.”
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