Last Updated on February 28, 2026 by adminahb
Maya Ines Denis Chambon & Callypso de la Hamente Z. Photo ©Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – February 27, 2026 — Future stars gathered under the lights of Wellington International on Friday evening of Week 8 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) for the $32,000 BrainJuice U25 Semi-Final Grand Prix. After a season of point-chasing in anticipation of the 2026 series finale taking place during WEF 10, riders had one last opportunity to claim their spot. Mexico’s Maya Ines Denis Chambon and her own Callypso de la Hamente Z took the penultimate grand prix win.
A stacked field of 42 horse-and-rider combinations took to the Steve Stephens (USA) designed track, with eight returning for the decisive jump-off. Denis Chambon — a five-time medalist at the FEI North American Youth Championships — rode her 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Chellsini Z x Kashmir van Schuttershof to an early lead. They left fire in their path over the short course, remaining unbeatable in a winning time of 35.87 seconds.
Denis Chambon and Callypso’s need for speed could not be caught, and the duo was the only pair to break the 36-second mark. JJ Torano (USA) and Lyon 50 (Lord Argentinus x Lex Lugar), owned by North Run and Kadley Farms, took second on a time of 36.78 seconds. Germany’s Tony Stormanns finished in third in 37.66 seconds with RMF Balouwinsky (Balous Bellini x Cornet Obolensky), owned by Rushy Marsh Farm.
“I base out of Ocala but came down here during week two to specifically qualify for tonight,” said 22-year-old Denis Chambon. “It’s great to be able to compete at a high level with just our age group. It forces us to step up our game and raises the level of competition.”
Emily Ryan and Vaudeville Find Their First Hunter Tricolor
Emily Ryan of Lake Worth, FL rose to the top in the Brightview Landscape Services Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division with her newly turned hunter, Vaudeville, to highlight hunter action on Friday. In a span of two months, the gelding went from doing the amateur jumpers to making a successful debut as a hunter during WEF Week 8.
Vaudeville, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Ustinov, made his third appearance in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena and came out on top with the champion title. They scored an 80 in Friday’s first round and topped off the day with an 87. Their scores of 85 and 88 from the previous days boosted them to the tricolor.
“This is only his third week in the hunters ever, and we won both [classes] yesterday, so he was great. In the first round, he was a little spooky, and in the second round, he was back on his game,” said Ryan of the gelding she purchased from Diane Little. “He jumps and moves great and he’s much happier being judged on his looks than he is being judged on how fast he is.
“He’s so sweet — a little dopey and always tilting his head looking for a cookie,” continued Ryan of her gelding’s personality. “The more time you can spend with them, the happier he is.”
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