Ocala, United States – January 17, 2026 – The $32,000 4CYTE Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2* took center stage in the WEC Grand Arena on Friday. Fifty-two horse-and-rider combinations representing 11 nations competed for top honors, but it was Ireland’s Francis Derwin (IRL) who piloted his own Gospel Tame (Quadrio Tame x Panama Tame) to the fastest time of the day.
Course designer Anderson Lima (MEX) once again set a challenging track, with rails coming down throughout the course. Nine combinations advanced to the jump-off with clear rounds, but only four ultimately produced a double-clear effort.
Derwin was the first athlete to return for the jump-off and delivered what would stand as the winning round. “I was early to go, and there were a few quick people in it, so my plan was to stay neat and save a little for Sunday,” he said.
He flew around the short course aboard the coming 10-year-old Selle Français gelding, stopping the clock in a clear 37.72 seconds.
Hunter Holloway (USA) claimed the second-fastest time, guiding Sophie Heron’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) mare Koblenz (Arezzo VDL x Otangelo) to a clean round in 39.50 seconds.
Rounding out the top three was Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) aboard her longtime partner Cornwall BH, an 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Their clear effort in 39.97 seconds secured third place.
Derwin has been working with Karlswood, owned by Cian O’Connor (IRL), and brought a strong string of horses with him to Ocala from Ireland, including Gospel Tame. “‘Gospel’ is 10 years old now. He’s been produced very well. Cian has had him since he was five,” Derwin shared. “I am very happy to have a great team of horses here, thanks to Cian for trusting me with them. I am here for the whole circuit and have 10 horses here.”
“I came last winter to watch the [Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala] for just that night, and when Cian suggested coming here next winter, I straight away said yes. It’s an unbelievable place to be. I just think the place itself is unbelievable. There’s no place else in the world like it. I’ve never seen anything else, and it’s a great place for the horses.”
Final Results – $32,000 4CYTE Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*
1) Francis Derwin (IRL) & Gospel Tame – 0 / 0 – 37.72
2) Hunter Holloway (USA) & Koblenz – 0 / 0 – 39.50
3) Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) & Cornwall BH – 0 / 0 – 39.97
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
