Ocala, United States – July 09, 2026 – Athletes representing 12 nations took to the WEC Grand Arena on Thursday morning to contest the $117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 4*. After an exceptionally quick 14-horse jump-off, it was Portugal’s Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) who raced to victory aboard Sigma Stables’s Scoop de Septon Z (Hunters Scendro x Echo van ‘t Spieveld).
FEI Level IV course designer, Marina Azevedo (BRA), crafted the technical 1.50m track, which saw 15 of the 30 starters produce fault-free first rounds. One qualified combination elected not to return for the jump-off, leaving 14 riders to battle against the clock.
The pace was relentless from the start. Gonçalves was the first to produce a clear jump-off aboard his first mount, Gallaxia de Ferval Z, stopping the clock in 42.57 seconds to establish the early benchmark.
That lead was short-lived as Australia’s David Cameron (AUS) took over the top spot aboard Molly Adams’ 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chriszi (Christian 25 x Bockmann’s Lord Pezi), delivering a blistering round in 41.13 seconds.
Tracy Fenney (USA) came within fractions of a second aboard MTM Farm’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN mare MTM Myrbalia O (Davenport VDL x Cardento 933), crossing the timers in 41.28 seconds to slot into second behind Cameron.
On his final ride, Goncalves returned aboard Scoop de Septon Z determined to reclaim the lead. “I thought I could be fast with Gallaxia, but I had to be a little careful,” Goncalves explained. “With ‘Scoop’, I don’t have to be so conservative; I just go. I don’t think too much. I didn’t do different numbers. I moved up more from the Liverpool to the oxer because I really went for it. After the white vertical, I just tried to move as fast as I could.”
The strategy paid off. Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z blazed through the timers in a fault-free 39.73 seconds, a time that proved unbeatable. Cameron ultimately finished second, while Fenney rounded out the top three.
“[Richard Spooner and Tracy Fenney on MTM Pablo] were a little faster, but that’s the game,” Goncalves said. “They tried to catch me and took a little more of a risk and had a rail. I think it was a fantastic class.”
Having partnered with the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding for the past three years, Goncalves credits their long-standing partnership for their continued success. “He knows me very well, and I know him very well,” he said. “If I don’t disturb him, he can do his job. He’s very smart. He’s careful and always wants to do his job.”
Final Results – $117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 4*
1) Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) & Scoop de Septon Z – 0 / 0 – 39.73
2) David Cameron (AUS) & Chriszi – 0 / 0 – 41.13
3) Tracy Fenney (USA) & MTM Myrbalia O – 0 / 0 – 41.28
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
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