Wilmington, Ohio – May 23, 2026 – Spain’s Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) captured his first-ever $65,000 Standlee Grand Prix CSI 2* victory on Saturday evening during World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Spring 1 aboard Katniss du Val Geer (For Pleasure).
A competitive field of 26 entries tackled the Alan Wade (IRL) designed track in the Outdoor Jumper Arena, with just three combinations producing double-clear performances to secure podium finishes. Goyoaga ultimately proved untouchable in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 34.17 seconds for the win.
The victory marked an especially memorable evening for Goyoaga, who also claimed third place aboard Queen Van Dorperheide (H&M Chilli Willi x Winningmood).
“I’m super happy! I’ve won a lot of FEI classes, but never the Grand Prix. I have been second about 15 or 20 times,” Goyoaga laughed after the class. “I brought two really good horses here that are overqualified. I thought I had good chances, but I didn’t expect it tonight!”
Piloting the 10-year-old mare Katniss du Val Geer, Goyoaga returned last in the jump-off and used the advantage of going later in the order to shave valuable seconds off the clock.
“I just got the ride on her a month or so ago. She already has a lot of experience. I always try to do my best and I can’t do anything but that. I just do what I can.”
“I had a way different plan for the jump-off than what I did actually. I could have actually been a second faster if I rode a bit better. But she’s super fast and it all worked out for me today” he shared.
Luxembourg’s Charlotte Bettendorf (LUX) piloted the 10-year-old mare Kalliope (Emerald x Deister) to second place after posting a double-clear effort in 35.36 seconds.
Goyoaga rounded out the podium aboard Queen Van Dorperheide with another fault-free performance in 35.53 seconds.
Ireland’s Simon McCarthy finished just off the podium with Igor GPH after incurring four faults in the jump-off with a time of 34.94 seconds. Beezie Madden and Micky-Cara rounded out the top five on four faults in 36.01 seconds.
Final Results – $65,000 Standlee Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) & Katniss du Val Geer – 0 / 0 – 34.17
2) Charlotte Bettendorf (LUX) & Kalliope – 0 / 0 – 35.36
3) Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) & Queen Van Dorperheide – 0 / 0 – 35.53
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography
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