Ocala, United States – February 15, 2026 – While five-star competition has concluded for the week, top show jumping continued on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). World No. 6 Richard Vogel (GER) piloted his brand-new partner Cardentos, owned by Witt Pferdezucht GBR, to top a very fast jump-off in the $65,000 Wild Horse Refuge Grand Prix CSI 2*, earning their first international grand prix victory as a partnership.
Riding over a course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), the 37 horse-and-rider combinations produced 11 that moved on to the jump-off, seven of which ended up double clear.
It was a very tight jump-off, with the top five times all within one second. Vogel led the way in 32.44 seconds. Second place went to Vaclav Stanek (CZE) and Langley, a 12-year-old homebred Canadian Sport Horse gelding by Lansdowne x Andiamo owned by Ariel Grange, who finished in 32.52 seconds.
They squeaked in front of third-place finishers, Mark Bluman (COL) and Hastella, by two one-hundredths of a second. Hastella is a nine-year-old Selle Francais mare by Quamikase des Forets x Vigo d’Arsouilles owned by Aram Ampagoumian LLC.
This was the first FEI competition together for Vogel and Cardentos. They started three weeks ago in a national competition. “Cardentos is a very exciting addition to our string of horses,” said Vogel of the nine-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Cardento x Quo Vados that was bred by its owners. “He felt very good today. I think with him, it’s just about giving him confidence. He has a lot of quality, and I’m super happy with the result today.
“He wants to be very, very careful, so I don’t have to protect too much,” he continued about his jump-off. “I can really focus on having good foot speed and almost, in a way, attack the jumps. I think that was a good advantage today that I could keep going everywhere.”
Vogel acknowledged the opportunity that WEC – Ocala provides for top riders to bring along younger or less experienced mounts in the same arena where top sport happens. “That’s very rare that you can bring so many horses to gain that much experience in such a great facility with perfect conditions, the environment, and the ambience like we find here,” he noted. “It’s probably one of the very few places in the world, so we’re very glad we can come here and take this opportunity.”
“He’s very happy to talk also,” said Vogel of the handsome grey horse. “Every time he comes out of the stable, he says hello to everyone; every time he enters the arena, he also says hello to everyone. He’s easy to handle, and he’s a very kind horse. I think that’s what makes him so great. He’s a very positive horse and always likes to give his best.”
Final Results – $65,000 Wild Horse Refuge Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Richard Vogel (GER) & Cardentos – 0 / 0 – 32.44
2) Vaclav Stanek (CZE) & Langley – 0 / 0 – 32.52
3) Mark Bluman (COL) & Hastella – 0 / 0 – 32.54
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
