Wellington, United States – March 14, 2026 – Three-time Swiss Olympian Beat Mändli (SUI) led his first-ever Saturday Night Lights victory gallop in the $215,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 4* aboard Grant Road Partners’ Qoachella to highlight Week 10 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition in Wellington, FL, running through March 29.
There was a clear-round drought that lasted 20 rounds before Mändli, an Olympic team silver medalist from the 2000 Games in Sydney, cracked the code on Ken Krome’s (USA) track and guaranteed a jump-off. Four more would follow, setting the stage for a six-horse tiebreaker and a trio of Olympians on the podium.
Only two double-clear rounds topped the leader board—the first coming, once again, from Mändli. He and Belgian-bred mare Qoachella (Mosito van het Hellehof x Ferro) set the standard at 38.16 seconds.
Last to return, Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers (CAN) posted the only other clear in 38.71 seconds with 10-year-old Selle Français stallion Genial de B’Neville, sired by Kapitol d’Argonne and owned by Luja.
The fastest four-fault round came from 10-year-old Quadrado (Comme Il Faut 5 x Diamant De Semilly) with Spain’s Sergio Álvarez Moya (ESP) in the irons for owner Inversiones Mexim S.L. The time on the clock—36.01 seconds—was the fastest of the night, but a rail on the floor settled them into third.
When asked about Qoachella’s win, the first international grand prix victory on her record, Mändli raved about the mare, saying, “That was only her second night class, and she went in and rose to the crowd. She’s an amazing horse.”
Qoachella is a ride borrowed from Mändli’s student of 12 years, Katie Dinan. “Grant Road Partners bought the horse as a 7-year-old in France, and she had done some nice youngster classes there. Katie rode her during her 7- and 8-year-old years, and then I was a bit short on horses, so she gave her to me to ride. To come out with the victory tonight for the team is obviously amazing.
“She is very clever; she knows exactly where the polls are and is very careful. She knows what she’s doing, but she’s also very laid back,” continued Mändli of the mare’s character.
Although Mändli has enjoyed a storied career that is still writing its own history, a WEF grand prix win under the lights is one accolade that has alluded him until now. “Saturday night is a highlight for everyone here. The atmosphere is super with good sport, and the first one is not so easy, but I’m thrilled to get it for the horse and the whole team.”
Mändli’s wife Amanda doubled as his groom on Saturday night and brought a lifetime of experience to the job that includes caring for the iconic Milton, ridden by John Whitaker. Amanda was presented with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and a $500 cash prize for her care and preparation of Qoachella.
International competition during WEF 10 concludes Sunday, March 15, with the Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic and BrainJuice U25 Series Final in the International Arena.
Final Results – $215,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 4*
1) Beat Mändli (SUI) & Qoachella – 0 / 0 – 38.16
2) Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Genial de B’Neville – 0 / 0 – 38.71
3) Sergio Álvarez Moya (ESP) & Quadrado – 0 / 4 – 36.01
Source: Press Release Wellington International
Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein
