Wellington, United States – February 26, 2026 – Ireland’s Tom Wachman opened Wellington International’s highly anticipated Nations Cup week by taking home the blue in Thursday’s $32,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 CSIO 4* with 11-year-old Estonian Sport Horse mare Obora’s Laura. Week 8 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is one of 12 weeks of international competition, which runs through March 29 in Wellington, FL.
Twenty-one-year-old Wachman and Obora’s Laura, owned by Coolmore Showjumping, broke the timers in 66.24 seconds over course designer Steve Stephens’ (USA) one-round speed test, a qualifier for Sunday’s $200,000 JTWG, Inc. CSIO 4* Grand Prix. “She’s a very good mare; competitive and careful. It was a tough enough track, so I was delighted with the way she performed today,” Wachman said of the mare by Luidam x Non Stop.
Just off Wachman’s pace was fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Colibelle Hero Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide owned by Elena A. Hass.
The pair stopped the clock at 67.18 seconds with Jacob Pope (USA) on their heels in 68.06 seconds to close out the podium with Sherri Crawford’s Highway FBH, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion.
Week 8 of WEF brings international competition to a peak with the 2026 FEI Nations Cup Wellington. Eight nations are represented with teams from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Mexico and the United States. Wachman has been tapped by Chef d’Équipe Jessica Kürten to represent Ireland in the FEI Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, during Saturday Night Lights.
Wachman, who trains with Irish Olympian Cian O’Connor (IRL), combined footspeed with a focus on turning to take the win. “Cian and I worked the last couple of weeks on turning because there have been a few speed classes where I lost time in the turns. We have been practicing, and it worked out quite well today.”
“I’m excited—I’ve never jumped on a team here before. It’s always a great atmosphere and competitive. There’s plenty of support for the Irish, so I’m looking forward to it,” said Wachman of the opportunity to ride for his home country. Wachman, who represented his home nation in a string of Nations Cup team appearances over the summer, contributed to a win for Ireland in La Baule, France.
Wachman—set to ride Coolmore Showjumping’s Do It Easy—is hopeful for a good showing in his Wellington Nations Cup debut. “He’s had a good bit of form lately and deserves the opportunity,” said Wachman.
Final Results – $32,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Rd VIII CSIO 4*
1) Tom Wachman (IRL) & Obora’s Laura – 0 – 66.24
2) Darragh Kenny (IRL) & Colibelle Hero Z – 0 – 67.18
3) Jacob Pope (USA) & Highway FBH – 0 – 68.06
Source: Press Release from Wellington International
Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein
