Last Updated on February 24, 2026 by adminahb
Nina Mallevaey & Destine To Be. Photo ©Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – February 23, 2026 — Ranked No. 8 in the world, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) made a mad dash to claim victory in Sunday’s $62,500 Hermès CSI5* 1.50m with Destine To Be, a 10-year-old Anglo European-bred gelding, to close out Week 7 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
With a fast footfall, Destine To Be (Diamant De Semilly x Grandilot) posted a time of 46.97 seconds, which was impossible to beat in the second round, where the top 12 returned with faults carrying forward. Knocked down to second place in 48.92 seconds was Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny riding Colibelle Hero Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide mare for owner Elena A. Haas.
Rounding out the podium was German Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk riding his own Akarad Tivoli Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding. They stopped the clock at 50.93 seconds for third.
Cruising through Anthony d’Ambrosio’s (USA) second-round track, Mallevaey made use of her gelding’s speed and trust in his rider. “I was planning to do one less [stride] after the double vertical, and one less on the two to three. I didn’t get there, but he’s so fast on the ground, I could add a stride and keep the rhythm,” said the 26-year-old reigning French National Champion. “He’s so careful and has a lot of scope. I trust him, and I can ask him anything now that he trusts me.”
Marilyn Little Pockets Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* Grand Prix
International action began on Sunday of WEF 7 with the $62,500 Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* Grand Prix. 43 riders took to the Anthony d’Ambrosio’s (USA) designed track, but it was Marilyn Little (USA) and Narado, owned by Ten Carrot, LLC, who bested the rest.
Narado, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Grandorado TN N.O.P, and Little took the top call from a 14-horse jump-off, crossing the timers on a double-clear 37.17 seconds.
“He’s only eight, but he’s been steadily moving up,” said Little of the Ashford Farm-produced gelding. “He decided he was more of a grown-up, and he’s been fantastic since January. He’s a great competitor and understands the game.”
Before joining Little’s string, Narado built an impressive track record as a young horse in Europe. Competing with riders such as Giavanna Rinaldi (USA) and Sanne Thijssen (NED) under the watch of Ashford Farm.
Finishing just fractions behind Little was Switzerland’s Beat Mändli and Kay Grey, an 11-year-old mare by Vigo D’Arsouilles STX, owned by the Grant Road Partners. The duo stopped the clock clear at 37.80 seconds. Closing out the podium was Stephen Moore (IRL) and Conny Blue BH, an 11-year-old mare by Casallco, owned by SMG Sport Horse, on a time of 38.38 seconds.
Wellington International
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