Ocala, United States – January 30, 2026 – Thirty horse-and-rider combinations gathered early Friday morning in the WEC Grand Arena to contest the $32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*. In the end, it came down to an all-Irish duel, where Michael Duffy (IRL) narrowly stole the win by just one hundredth of a second aboard G Sporthorses Limited Partnership’s Mister Qerly Z (Mosito Van Het Hellehof x For Pleasure).
The demanding track was designed by FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), with assistance from FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN). Thirteen combinations delivered fault-free rounds within the time allowed to advance to the jump-off.
Maya Denis (MEX) was first to return aboard her initial jump-off mount, Jantien De Muze, setting an early benchmark with a clear round in 39.25 seconds.
Ireland’s Daniel Coyle (IRL) followed with his new partner, Urville Z (Ukato x Crown Z), a 13-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Ariel Grange. The pair galloped through the short course, slicing several seconds off the time to stop the clock in 35.58 seconds.
Coyle’s time held as multiple competitors tried to chase him down. Denis returned later in the order aboard her second mount, Callypso de la Hamente Z (Chellsini Z x Kashmir Van Schuttershof), a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, and came tantalizingly close, finishing in 35.78 seconds.
Fellow Irishman Michael Duffy (IRL) entered the ring determined to take his shot with Mister Qerly Z. “I think you can only go as fast as your horse can go. That’s the key to a jump-off,” he explained. “He’s very good on the right, and he’s a little green on the left turn. So, I stayed a bit wide on the left turn from three to four, but then I’d say I probably had two less strides on the right turn.”
Duffy and Mister Qerly Z flew through the timers, stopping the clock just one hundredth of a second faster in 35.57 seconds to secure the win.
Reflecting on the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Duffy added, “I bought him as an eight-year-old. He had some time off last year, so this is only his second show back. He’s very talented and always ahead of the trend. He’s been very, very good. He just needed a little time.”
International competition continues on Saturday, January 31, with the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix CSI 4* at 5pm in the WEC Grand Arena. Action concludes on Sunday, February 1, with the $65,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix CSI 2* beginning at 11am, wrapping up international competition for Week V of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series. CSI 4*, CSI 2*, and CSI U-25 competition returns during Week VI.
Final Results – $32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*
1) Michael Duffy (IRL) & Mister Qerly Z – 0 / 0 – 35.57
2) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Urville Z – 0 / 0 – 35.58
3) Maya Denis (MEX) & Callypso de la Hamente Z – 0 / 0 – 35.78
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
