Amenia, United States – October 10, 2026 – The Trelawny Trailblazers stormed to their first victory of the 2026 season on Saturday, climbing to the top of the podium in the $200,000 Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) Team Class CSI 5*, presented by ClipMyHorse.tv and Mission Foods, at the Highlands Cup, the second week of the Autumn Invitational at Highlands.
The winning team roster included Charlotte Jacobs (USA), Alex Matz (USA) and Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA), led by team owner Cara Raether-Carey.
Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo (FRA) set the testing track that hosted The Trelawny Trailblazers as they faced off against the Roadrunners in a gold-medal jump-off. Zanotelli (BRA), riding Rockwell RC anchored the team in his MLSJ debut season to best Mclain Ward (USA) on First Lady in the final round. Two poles fell for Ward, adding three seconds to his time (49.74 seconds), while Zanotelli pocketed a clear in 47.21 seconds.
Double-clear performances from Jacobs on seasoned partner Rincoola Milsean and Matz riding 9-year-old Clarimo sent Zanotelli to the gold-medal round.
“My teammates made my life a lot easier,” said the Tokyo Olympian. “They put me in a very good spot and I had quite a bit of a margin after Mclain had two down.
“My mare is fantastic—she’s absolutely a star, and I’m just proud to be around those guys,” continued Zanotelli about the mare that has jumped clear in every MLSJ team appearance she has made. “I’ve been in team competitions before in different forms, and I think this is so exciting for everybody—for the crowd watching, for us riders. It’s never finished, and you can always fight back and get back in the game.”
The Roadrunners took silver with Kaitlin Campbell (ISR) riding Karius and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (IRL) on Pia Maria H joining Ward on the second step of the podium. The Northern Lights made their first podium appearance of the year, finishing with bronze on a roster of Hilary Scott (AUS) with 19-year-old Oaks Milky Way; Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) riding Rebelline de Kwakenbeek; and Nicole Walker (CAN) on Panter JVH.
Jacobs and Rincoola Milsean were foot perfect over two rounds for the second year in a row at Highlands. “Everything just clicked today. All three horses jumped fantastic, and it went our way. Gregory is a fantastic course builder. He always asks the right questions without making it overly complicated or technical,” said Jacobs of Bodo’s course.
When Matz was asked about his horses’ incredible record—four clears in five outings for the team this MLSJ season—he said, “He’s incredibly careful. He’s still a bit young and we need to grow together, but he has been incredible in these competitions and today, he stepped up again.”
Final Results – $200,000 Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) Team Class CSI 5*, presented by ClipMyHorse.tv and Mission Foods
1) Trelawny Trailblazers
2) Roadrunners
3) Northern Lights
Source: Press Release from Highlands Horse Show
Photos: © Shannon Brinkman
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