Wellington, Fla. – January 12, 2026—Last to go in the jump-off of the $32,000 Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, Lillie Keenan (USA) took the win abroad 9-year-old Chagrin D’Amour to close the final day of opening FEI week at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The WEF season at Wellington International hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition and runs through March 29 in Wellington, FL.
Lillie Keenan & Chagrin D’Amour. Photo © Sportfot
Keenan and the French-bred stallion (Candy de Nantuel x Stakkato) stopped the clock at 37.99 seconds to take over the lead from fellow American Mckayla Langmeier riding Pepita VD Rollebeek, an 11-year-old mare by Otangelo X Toulon, for owner by Rafferty Farm.
Rounding out the podium from a 13-horse jump-off over tracks set by course designer Nick Granat (USA), Ireland’s Cian O’Connor was third riding Ulysses for Coolmore Showjumping.
Watch The Winning Round
“He’s not the quickest galloping horse, so you have to leave out or be willing to take risks because he has extra scope,” said Keenan, whose own Chansonette Farm purchased the stallion as a seven-year-old.
Keenan knew she had the advantage over the short course and came in with a plan, “One to two was six [strides], which is a leave out for most horses and quite long. For me, it was that long. I took a winger at the first jump, which wasn’t the best ride, but my horse is so good—I got away with it. I thought coming home, I could do 10 strides in the last line when most horses had to do 11. That paid off. I didn’t think I was fast enough, but in the end I was.”
Keenan took over the ride on Chagrin D’Amour one year ago in Wellington after leaving the stallion in Europe for some time to be further developed in the program of Francois Mathy. Soon after partnering, Keean rode the talented chestnut with ring presence to spare to victory in the Youngster Cup Final at CHIO Aachen in July of 2025.
Lillie Keenan & Chagrin D’Amour are presented as winners of the $32,000 Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic by Ray Vega, Equestrian Account Manager for Hermès. Photo ©Sportfot
Keenan said she’s now taking it slow as the pair continues to work their way up, and she focuses on the long list for the 2026 World Championship in Germany this summer after she made her World Championship debut in 2022 at Herning.
With Keenan now leading the season standings, the $150,000 Hermès 1.50m Championship Jump Series Final takes place on March 21 during WEF 11.For complete results from the WEF 1 qualifier, click HERE.
Full results from WEF 1 are available HERE.
Katherine Mercer and Ava Barnes Champion the Junior Hunters
Tricolors of Week 1 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) were awarded in junior hunter divisions on Sunday. The TR Capital 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under championship title was awarded to Katherine Mercer of Wellington, FL, and Cerulean Blue, owned by Frog Pond Stables. The duo topped the under saddle and placed second in two of the over fences classes, scoring as high as an 89.
“I’m his first junior rider,” said Mercer of the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding. “I’ve had him for just over a year now. It has taken us a bit of time to understand each other, but I know I can trust him now.”
Katherine Mercer & Cerulean Blue. Photo ©Sportfot
Mercer and Cerulean Blue are aiming for consistency in the junior hunters, particularly aiming at qualifying for the Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week halfway through the season.
Outside of the hunter ring, Mercer is taking advantage of the equitation and jumper offerings that abound during the 2026 WEF season. “I’ll be in all three rings this season,” she said. “The most important thing is for me to be able to switch my mindset between each discipline.”
Reserve champion was awarded to Ashley McCaslin of Wellesley Hills, MA, and Swoon, owned by Kimberley McCaslin.
For full results of the TR Capital 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, click here.
Junior hunter action continued on Sunday with the championship awarded in the Voltaire Design 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division. The tricolor went to Ava Barnes of Liberty TWP, OH, and her own Unprecedented. Together, the pair topped the under saddle as well as two of the over fences, scoring a noteworthy 92 as their high score of the week.
Ava Barnes & Unprecedented. Photo ©Sportfot
In their second year together, it’s clear this pair is tough to beat. “He’s the sweetest horse,” said Barnes of the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding. “Between his rideability and his personality on the ground, he truly is the best.”
The pair is coming off a strong 2025 fall season, earning multiple blue ribbons at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, including taking the title in the 3’6” 15 & Under Large Junior Hunter Championship.
“The goal this season is to be consistent in this division,” said Barnes.
Ava Barnes & Unprecedented are presented as champions of the Voltaire Design 3’6″ Large Junior Hunter 16-17. Photo ©Sportfot
Reserve champion was awarded to Lilly Herzog of Pepper Pike, OH, and Cleverly, owned by Rivers Edge.
For full results of the Voltaire Design 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, click here.
Full results from WEF 1 are available HERE.
