Ocala, United States – January 29, 2026 – Four-star competition returned to World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) with a competitive field of top international talent contesting the $117,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 4*. Forty-one horse-and-rider combinations representing 17 nations took their shot at the top prize, but in the end it was Ireland’s Tom Wachman (IRL) who proved quickest, piloting Coolmore Showjumping’s Do It Easy (Vigo Cece x Laeken) to victory by mere fractions of a second.
The track was set by FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), assisted by FEI Level III designer Peter Grant (CAN). Time proved to be a major factor throughout Thursday’s class, catching out many contenders. Ultimately, eight combinations managed to stay within the time allowed and leave all the rails intact to advance to a tightly contested jump-off, where the margins between competitors were razor-thin.
Ireland’s Michael Duffy was first to return with Be Sky Hawk, laying down a fast round in 38.97 seconds, but an unlucky rail kept him out of the lead. Argentina’s Luis Pedro Biraben followed and delivered a clear effort in 39.27 seconds to set the early pace.
That mark stood until Brooke Kemper (USA) entered the ring with Arpeggi Group’s Arpeggi (Arpeggio x Lancer III). Kemper guided the 16-year-old Westphalian gelding to a smooth and efficient round, stopping the clock in 39.10 seconds to take over the lead.
Second-to-last to go, Wachman entered the arena with a clear strategy. “I watched one or two on the screen, but I made a good plan with Cian O’Connor and Ross Mulholland,” he shared. “I wanted to do seven from one to two in the jump-off, but I did eight, so I was a little slow, and then did 11 strides to the double. Some were doing 10, but it was very hard to jump it on 10. Then nine to the plank, seven back, and seven to the second to last, and that’s where I think I had it.”
Wachman and Do It Easy delivered a lightning-fast round, flying through the timers in 37.36 seconds to take over the top spot on the leaderboard.
Speaking about his partnership with the 13-year-old Selle Français gelding, Wachman added, “He’s an amazing horse. He’s so rideable and so brave. He won the Grand Prix in London a couple of weeks ago, so he’s been jumping in super form. He’s 13, and I’ve been riding him for quite a while now. My brother Max rode him, and Cian rode him as well. He was very well produced in Stephex Stables with Kendra Claricia Brinkop. He really is such a kind horse, and he’s so fun to work with, and he wants to win.”
Eduardo Menezes (BRA) was last to go and came within striking distance of the winning time aboard H5 Sporthorses LLC’s 11-year-old KWPN mare H5 Knockando (Comme Il Faut 5 x Stakkato). The pair stopped the clock in an impressive 37.91 seconds, just five-tenths of a second off Wachman’s winning time, to secure second place.
Final Results – $117,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 4*
1) Tom Wachman (IRL) & Do It Easy – 0 / 0 – 37.36
2) Eduardo Menezes (BRA) & H5 Knockando – 0 / 0 – 37.91
3) Brooke Kemper (USA) & Arpeggi – 0 / 0 – 39.10
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
