Spencer Smith Smashes the $181,170 Airshare Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 5*

Amenia, United States – October 09, 2026 – Spencer Smith (USA) was the only rider to crack the code on Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo’s jump-off track to win the $181,170 Airshare Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 5* riding longtime partner Keeneland on Friday during Major League Show Jumping week at the 2026 Highlands Cup, the second week of the Autumn Invitational at Highlands. 

Smith, winner of the Grand Prix CSI 2* at Highlands in 2025, was first to go clear, first to return for the tie-breaking jump-off and the only double-clear athlete of the day’s featured 5* Qualifier. Putting his longstanding partnership with Keeneland, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Carmenza Z x Quattro 7) to the test, he crossed the timers in 35.57 seconds and exited the ring hoping he had done enough. 

“In a way, it’s actually a benefit to go first in a jump-off because you can do your round, what you think is best for the horse, and the rest have to follow it,” said Smith, who has had the ride on Keeneland — owned by Ashland Farms and Storm Ridge Capital—since 2023. “That’s what I did today; a nice round for him, but forward as a good setup for the grand prix.

“I knew I needed to have them chase me a little bit,” continued Smith of the star-studded list of riders to follow him, which included the likes of six-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward (USA) and reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER). “If they felt that they could ease off the gas, then they would have all jumped clear.” 


Ward, current world no. 7, was two seconds faster (33.71) than Smith, but pulled one rail to the ground to settle on four faults with First Lady, a 13-year-old Lordanos daughter owned by Robin Parsky. Kukuk rode HK Carrera, a 10-year-old Irish sport Horse gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm, to four faults in 34.34 seconds for third. 

Smith has a storied career with Keeneland, that includes two winning nations cup appearances — Dublin in 2024 and Falsterbo in 2025. “He’s a really great horse, and we’ve jumped all over the world together. “We’ve been working on it, so It’s nice to get him going a little quicker with every round. A little victory gallop today gets him excited for Sunday!”

Final Results – $181,170 Airshare Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 5*

1) Spencer Smith (USA) & Keeneland – 0 / 0 – 35.57

2) Mclain Ward (USA) & First Lady – 0 / 4 – 33.71

3) Christian Kukuk (GER) & HK Carrera – 0 / 4 – 34.34

Source: Press Release from Highlands Horse Show

Photos: © Shannon Brinkman

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