Press release from Wellington International, edited by World of Showjumping

Riding a high from his Dutch Masters victory, world no. 4 Richard Vogel (GER) is back winning in Wellington. The reigning European Champion and 9-year-old Michael Jackson W (Diamant de Semilly x Heartbreaker) topped the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI5* opener to cut the tape on the final week of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International. WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition—four of which are five-stars—running through March 29, in Wellington, FL, USA.

Vogel made light work of the two-phase track designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA) aboard his Dutch-bred gelding owned by Pegase Equestrian BV. Only fractions, however, separated the duo from the runner-up, France’s Julien Anquetin.

Chasing Vogel’s speed phase time of 33.60, Anquetin stopped the clock at 33.92 for second riding Beau de Laubry Z (Bisquet Balou van de Mispelaere x Nabab de Reve), a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Didier Levy. Canada rounded out the trio of nations on the podium with Kyle Timm taking third in 33.95 seconds aboard 15-year-old Selle Français gelding Glamour du Chanu (L'Arc de Triomphe x Papillon Rouge), owned by the Rein-family.

“He’s a very exciting horse; a lot of fun to ride, super fast and always motivated,” said Vogel, who just recently returned from his Rolex Grand Prix win in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. “He has shown how quick and efficient he can be, and it was a very fast class, so I’m even more happy that I could be at the top.”

With a noticeable shift in the air this week, Vogel spoke on the significance of the Rolex Series launching its 2026 season in Wellington. “It’s something we’re all looking out for, and we get excited for it. We plan our string of horses around this week, and everyone wants to be on top of their game. That’s what makes it even more exciting—it’s a guarantee of top sport. The classes are faster and the course designers build a little more, because everyone is in top form.”

The Rolex Series includes seven events—beginning in Wellington and culminating in Brussels—with the world’s top riders competing for the podium. The $1m Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix kicks off the series during Saturday Night Lights on March 28.

“Our sport is a lot about confidence, and at the moment, I have a super string of horses,” said Vogel. “That obviously gives you, as a rider, a lot of confidence. I couldn’t be thankful enough for all the super horses I have, and that’s already a big puzzle piece towards success.”