Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by adminahb
Nina Mallevaey & Destine to Be, winner of the $32,000 Adequan® CSI3* WEF Challenge Cup Round 1. Photo © Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – January 12, 2026 — Last to go in the jump-off of the $32,000 Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, Lillie Keenan (USA) took the win abroad 9-year-old Chagrin D’Amour to close the final day of opening FEI week at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Keenan and the French-bred stallion (Candy de Nantuel x Stakkato) stopped the clock at 37.99 seconds to take over the lead from fellow American Mckayla Langmeier riding Pepita VD Rollebeek, an 11-year-old mare by Otangelo X Toulon, for owner by Rafferty Farm.
Rounding out the podium from a 13-horse jump-off over tracks set by course designer Nick Granat (USA), Ireland’s Cian O’Connor was third riding Ulysses for Coolmore Showjumping.
“He’s not the quickest galloping horse, so you have to leave out or be willing to take risks because he has extra scope,” said Keenan, whose own Chansonette Farm purchased the stallion as a seven-year-old.
Katherine Mercer and Ava Barnes Champion the Junior Hunters
Tricolors of Week 1 at WEF were awarded in junior hunter divisions on Sunday. The TR Capital 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under championship title was awarded to Katherine Mercer of Wellington, FL and Cerulean Blue, owned by Frog Pond Stables. The duo topped the under saddle and placed second in two of the over fences classes, scoring as high as an 89.
“I’m his first junior rider,” said Mercer of the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding. “I’ve had him for just over a year now. It has taken us a bit of time to understand each other, but I know I can trust him now.”
Mercer and Cerulean Blue are aiming for consistency in the junior hunters, particularly aiming at qualifying for the Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week halfway through the season.
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