Wellington, Florida – March 27, 2026 – Spain’s Juan Manuel Gallego (ESP) and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood Oriana Van’t Ruytershof claimed their victory in the $32,000 Vogel Qualifier CSI 2* – 1.45m on Friday morning of the Rolex Finale Week at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Twelve of the seventy-three riders came back to test the course designed by Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) with Gallego taking the lead at 42.42 seconds aboard the Vigo D’Arsouilles STX x Bamako de Muze mare. With a footspeed fast enough for a second-place finish at 43.37 seconds was Hilary McNerney (USA) riding her own Corlando, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding.
“This mare is always giving me everything; she’s a winner and super consistent. I had a good feeling this week, last year I kept getting seconds, so today I wanted to go all in and it worked,” spoke Gallego of the mare owned by Anniela Gonzalez Del Valle.
“She’s a bit of a sensitive mare, but she always tries and wants to go clear. She’s easy to work with at home and super mature in the ring,” spoke Gallego of the mare that has become one of his top horses. “We’ll aim her for the two- and three-stars, and if I do a five-star, she’s the one that’s going to give me the points in the ranking classes.”
Final Results – $62,500 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 2* – 1.45m
1) Juan Manuel Gallego (ESP) & Oriana Van’t Ruytershof – 0 / 0 – 42.42
2) Hilary McNerney (USA) & Corlando – 0 / 0 – 43.37
3) Ashlee Bond (ISR) & Kadanz – 0 / 0 – 43.96
Source: Press Release from Wellington International
Photo: © Wellington International / Sportfot
Related
Discover more from JUMPER NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
