Wellington, Fla. – February 21, 2026—U.S. Olympic team silver medal-winning duo Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque topped the $32,000 Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* 1.45m on Friday of Week 7 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The victory was the perfect prelude to their appearance on the U.S. Jumping Team for the CSIO4* FEI Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, during WEF 8.
Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
Karl Cook & Caracole de la Roque. Photo ©Sportfot
From a nine-horse jump-off over tracks designed by Anthony d’Ambrosio (USA), Cook and his 14-year-old Selle Français mare (Zandor Z x Kannan*GFE) owned by Eric Navet and Signe Ostby, stopped the clock at 34.90 seconds. Coming off two-star grand prix success during WEF 5, Hilary McNerney (USA) rode Corlando, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Corporal VDL x Laptop), to second in 37.05 seconds.
Mexico’s Alberto Michan rounded out the podium on Joint de Canabis van de Doornhoeve, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Canabis Z AKZ x VDL Cardento 933), finishing third in 37.44 seconds.
This week marks Cook’s first trip to Wellington this season to use the two-star competition as preparation for the Wellington Nations Cup next week.
“The goal this week was to get her into the ring and make her feel like she’s in the game again,” said Cook of the mare that last competed at the end of January. “Our big goal this year is the World Games, so every single one of our decisions is geared toward putting us in the best place for Aachen.”
Karl Cook & Caracole de la Roque are presented as winners of the $32,000 Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* 1.45m by Hannah Manns, Marketing Specialist for BUCKEYE™ Nutrition. Photo ©Sportfot
When asked where he took the win, Cook said, “I watched Hillary, and she was really fast, but the difference between Caracole and Hillary’s round is that we are a little tighter in the track. While it might not look like we’re going that fast, when you compare the two rounds, having that shorter track makes you save so much more time.”
Looking ahead to next week, Cook concluded, “This is my only home Nations Cup this year, and Saturday nights here always have a great crowd, great atmosphere, and everyone gets behind it. I’m feeling in a really good place.”
For full results of the $32,000 Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* 1.45m, click HERE.
Highlighting five-star action, reigning FEI Jumping European Champion and current World No. 6, Richard Vogel (GER) won the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Speed riding Cardentos. The nine-year-old VDL Cardento 933 stallion owned by Witt Pferdezucht GbR bested Brazil’s Eduardo de Menezes riding H5 Kontador VDM, the runner-up by less than a second. Germany bookended the podium with Rene Dittmer taking third aboard Cody 139.
Richard Vogel & Cardentos. Photo ©Sportfot
For full results from the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Speed, click HERE.
WEF 7 reaches a high point during Saturday Night Lights with the $500,000 Modon CSI5* Grand Prix on February 21 at 7 p.m. ET.
For complete results from WEF 7, click HERE.
Hunter Derbies Galore on Grass Field at Equestrian Village
Tiffany Morrissey of Wellington, FL, rode 14-year-old Selle Français gelding Cullighan to a blue ribbon finish in Friday’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets, on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village during Week 7 of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Tiffany Morrissey & Cullighan. Photo ©Sportfot
Taking advantage of the “hunt & go” format, Morrissey took her time throughout the classic round, earning an 89.1 and a 90 in the handy portion. Her use of the inside turns and high option put her and Cullighan, owned by Claudia Millstone, on top with a combined score of 179.5.
“It’s so fun to show on the grass. We don’t really get so many opportunities anymore for the grass, so I think everybody looks forward to coming out here,” spoke Morrissey, owner of East Wind Farm.
Cullighan splits his time between the adult hunters with his amateur owner and the derbies with Morrissey. “She loves to watch him, and especially on the field, so we look forward to any weeks that we have derbies to do,” stated Morrissey of her partnership with the gelding purchased from Don Stewart. “He’s been awesome for me, and has been a great horse for both of us, so it’s nice that we both get to share the ride.”
Tiffany Morrissey & Cullighan are presented as winners of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets, by Laura Southard. Photo ©Sportfot
Close behind Morrissey in second place was Colin Syquia of Wellington, FL, and Jasper De La Tour, a seven-year-old Selle Français gelding owned by Constance Hunter, with a total score of 179.25. Meghan Knacic of Smithtown, NY, rode First Blue’s six-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Vintage Blue, to third with a score of 179.
For complete results of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets, click HERE.
Fourteen-year-old Clara Burnham of Boulder, CO, made her debut on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village with Hardrock Harmonie SIH, owned by Eva Kennedy, in the $10,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets. They earned the blue ribbon with an 88 and 89 for a combined 177-point total. Scores of 88 and 87 earned Ava Barnes of Liberty Twp, OH, second place riding Valentino, owned by Rivers Edge. Third place was awarded to Johnathan Cohen, of Wellington, FL, and his own Hearsay.
Clara Burnham & Harmonie SIH. Photo ©Sportfot
Clara Burnham & Harmonie SIH with Jacob Pope are presented as winners of the $10,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets, by Laura Southard. Photo ©Sportfot
“This was amazing; it was my first time ever on the derby field, and he took me around like a pro. It felt incredible,” gushed the junior rider training under Jacob Pope and Nick Pongracz at Hickory Ridge. “I’m lucky that Whitney Caldwell, Eva Kennendy, Jacob, and Nick let me on such a special horse.”
“He excels at the handy,” continued Burnham of the horse known as Finch around the barn. “I thought I had put down a solid round on the first trip, and then let him do what he does best in the handy, and it paid off.”
For complete results of the $10,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets, click HERE.
Full results of WEF 7 can be found HERE.
