The Open Weekly: The First WEF 5*, Dressage Momentum, and Bouckaert Takes Shape

Show Jumping: Vogel Takes the First 5* of WEF 2026 as the World No. 1 Battle Shifts

The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 6 Weeks

The first of four CSI5* weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival set a high-stakes tone for what to expect as the circuit builds toward the Rolex finale. Germany’s Richard Vogel claimed the $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix (1.60m) with the 10-year-old stallion Gangster Montdesir. It was a clinical performance for the rising superstar, marking his fourth clear round from four 5* starts (100% clear rate at the level).

Kent Farrington (USA) was the first to find the path to a clear round in the evening, leading a total of eight combinations into the jump-off. While Farrington and Greya ultimately finished 5th after a pole down, their time of 40.43 seconds was the fastest of the night. It was a solid showing for the home nation, with Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard finishing 4th and Spencer Smith taking 6th with Keeneland.

As we suspected in last week’s Open Weekly, the battle for the World No.1 spot was on. Great Britain's Scott Brash has now officially overtaken Kent Farrington to become the new Longines World Number One. This marks exactly 10 years since Brash last held the position. With Brash in fantastic form in Doha—winning five Grand Prix titles this January alone—the question remains whether he will make a rare trip to Florida for the ultimate head-to-head with Farrington for the US Equestrian Open title on American soil.

Dressage: A Winning Debut for Gómez Molina and Servus Ymas 

Next Qualifier: World Equestrian Centre (WEC) February Dressage - 2/11/26 | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)

AGDF’s Friday Night Stars was held on an unusually cold, blustery Wellington night, but the conditions did little to unsettle Pablo Gómez Molina (ESP) and Servus Ymas. The pair won the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 74.490%, marking their first FEI freestyle together and Gómez Molina’s first Big Tour victory.

A win on debut at this level is uncommon, particularly when it comes with a horse stepping into a CDI4* environment for the first time and a freestyle originally choreographed for a different partner. “I think it’s really special because we struggled a little bit to find our groove last year,” Gómez Molina said. “We already felt a progression, and I think this just confirmed that we keep growing.”

Devon Kane finished second on 74.235%, with Susan Dutta third on 72.985%. With a small field and early-season timing, points were modest but still meaningful. Dutta added eight points to her existing Open total, while Gómez Molina’s first Series appearance put both riders on 15 points. That result slots them into a seven-way tie (yes, seven) for eighth place on the leaderboard, while the top seven positions remain unchanged for now.

For Gómez Molina, the result marked his first Open qualifier appearance since finishing tenth at AGDF 3 in 2025 aboard Ulises de Ymas - a horse who, fittingly, is also Servus Ymas’s sole traveling companion. Servus Ymas, the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, has been produced by Gómez Molina since age five and is known for being powerful, sharp, and very much his own character. The freestyle, originally built for Ulises de Ymas, was used here as a test of how Servus might handle the demands of the level. “There’s no better place to try those things than here,” Gómez Molina said.

If a mid-70s score is what the pair can produce with a borrowed program, future outings with a freestyle built specifically for Servus Ymas will be worth watching.

Eventing: Early Bouckaert Entries Roll In

Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Farm - 3/5/26 | Countdown: 3 Weeks

The series returns to Georgia next month for the Bouckaert Equestrian International (March 5-8). Early entries are beginning to roll in, and we already have five pairs confirmed for the first qualifier of 2026.

• Zach Brandt & Direct Advance: Ocala-based Brandt contested three qualifiers last year with Direct Advance. The now fifteen-year-old jumped double-clear twice for two top-10 finishes.
• Mia Farley & Phelps: Last year, Farley used this event as a prep run for the Kentucky 5* with a slower cross-country round that added 22 time penalties. It is always a pleasure to see fan-favorite Phelps back out, particularly in the cross-country phase.
• Olivia Dutton & Jewelent: Jewelent will contest his first 4* with Olivia, having previously been campaigned at the level by her father, Phillip Dutton.
• Ali Kuhn & Little Hail: This 15.1hh OTTB captured hearts at last year’s Kentucky 4* with a clear cross-country round and their signature pink cross-country colors. They will contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.
• Jan Byyny & Beautiful Storm: Having contested three qualifiers and the Final last season, this is a long-established combination, with Byyny producing the 11-year-old Thoroughbred since he was three

Keep a close eye on the entry list for Lucienne Bellissimo. As our current Series leader, she won the opening qualifier at Bouckaert last October with Dyri. As of last week, Bellissimo now officially represents the United States after changing her nationality from Great Britain. Her decision to change nationality reflects a long-term personal commitment to the country she has called home for many years.

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