Wellington, Fla. – March 14, 2026—Three-time Swiss Olympian Beat Mändli led his first-ever Saturday Night Lights victory gallop in the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix aboard Grant Road Partners’ Qoachella to highlight Week 10 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition in Wellington, FL, running through March 29.
Beat Mändli & Qoachella are joined by (left to right) groom Amanda Mändli, owner Elizabeth Miller and Sophie Krehmeyer, Marketing Coordinator for Horseware Ireland, North America. Photo ©Sportfot
There was a clear-round drought that lasted 20 rounds before Mändli, an Olympic team silver medalist from the 2000 Games in Sydney, cracked the code on Ken Krome’s (USA) track and guaranteed a jump-off. Four more would follow, setting the stage for a six-horse tie-breaker and a trio of Olympians on the podium.
Only two double-clear rounds topped the leader board—the first coming, once again, from Mändli. He and Belgian-bred mare Qoachella (Mosito van het Hellehof x Ferro) set the standard at 38.16 seconds. Last to return, Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers posted the only other clear in 38.71 seconds with 10-year-old Selle Français stallion Genial de b’Neville, sired by Kapitol d’Argonne and owned by Luja, LLC.
Mario Deslauriers & Genial de b’Neville. Photos ©Sportfot
The fastest four-fault round came from 10-year-old Quadrado (Comme Il Faut 5 x Diamant De Semilly) with Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya in the irons for owner Inversiones Mexim S.L. The time on the clock—36.01 seconds—was the fastest of the night, but a rail on the floor settled them into third.
Sergio Alvarez Moya & Quadrado. Photo ©Sportfot
When asked about Qoachella’s win, the first international grand prix victory on her record, Mändli raved about the mare, saying, “That was only her second night class, and she went in and rose to the crowd. She’s an amazing horse.”
Qoachella is a ride borrowed from Mändli’s student of 12 years, Katie Dinan. “Grant Road Partners bought the horse as a 7-year-old in France, and she had done some really nice youngster classes there. Katie rode her during her 7- and 8-year-old years, and then I was a bit short on horses, so she gave her to me to ride. To come out with the victory tonight for the team is obviously amazing.
“She is very clever; she knows exactly where the polls are and is very careful. She knows what she’s doing, but she’s also very laid back,” continued Mändli of the mare’s character.
Beat Mändli vs Mario Deslauriers
Although Mändli has enjoyed a storied career that is still writing its own history, a WEF grand prix win under the lights is one accolade that has alluded him until now. “Saturday night is a highlight for everyone here. The atmosphere is super with good sport, and the first one is not so easy, but I’m thrilled to get it for the horse and the whole team.”
Mändli’s wife Amanda doubled as his groom on Saturday night and brought a lifetime of experience to the job that includes caring for the iconic Milton, ridden by John Whitaker. Amanda was presented with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and a $500 cash prize for her care and preparation of Qoachella.
Amanda Mändli—Beat’s wife—doubled as his groom on Saturday night and was honored with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and a $500 cash prize for her care and preparation of Qoachella. Photo ©Sportfot
Finishing fifth in the Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix, Sarah Segal (USA) was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award to close the night.
Finishing fifth, Sarah Segal (USA) was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award. Photo ©Sportfot
For complete results from the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix, click HERE.
International competition during WEF 10 concludes Sunday, March 15, with the Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic and BrainJuice U25 Series Final in the International Arena. Visit WellingtonInternational.com for results, schedules, and wall-to-wall streaming.
