Wellington, Fla. – March 28, 2026—Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard earned the Overall Leading Lady Rider Award, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur together with Douglas Elliman, after amassing the most points over the course of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Fla.
The Leading Lady Rider Award was presented each week of WEF to the female athlete who earned the most points based on performances in that week’s Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup and featured grand prix event. Despite not winning a weekly award, Ballard kept adding points to her total week after week with consistent performances. At the end of the season, Ballard sat atop the standings with a total of 557 points to claim the Overall Leading Lady title.
Nina Mallevaey of France, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 7, finished a close second in the standings with a total of 539 points. Marilyn Little of the United States, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 1 and 8, finished third overall with a total of 529 points.
Canada’s Erynn Ballard (left) earned the Overall Leading Lady Rider Award, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur (right) together with Douglas Elliman, at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. Photo © Sportfot
“To be recognized as the leading female rider after 12 weeks of competition is a direct result of great horses, a great team, and great management,” said Ballard who has been based in Wellington, FL, for the past nine years riding professionally for Ilan Ferder Stables. “This award is very close to my heart. Winning the award from Martha is so special as she has known me my whole life. I am proud to represent the ideal of a strong female role model in the sport, and I hope to be able to win this title for many more years to come. I will forever be supporting girl power and all the leading ladies.”
Ballard was presented as the Overall Leading Lady Rider during the WEF Challenge Cup Round 12 on Thursday, March 26. In addition to a beautiful bouquet of flowers, Ballard received a Chrome Horse Society Tequila gift set and a Martha W. Jolicoeur signature jump, designed and built by Dalman Jump Co., denoting her 2026 Overall Leading Lady Rider title.
A long-time sponsor of the annual Winter Equestrian Festival, Jolicoeur initiated the popular Leading Lady Rider Award in 2010 in memory of fellow realtor, Dale Lawler.
“I’m really happy that Erynn won the Overall Leading Lady Rider Award this season,” said Jolicoeur, who considers the Ballard family to be friends as well as clients. “Although she’s won a weekly Leading Lady Rider Award in past seasons, she’s never won the overall title. I was thrilled when I heard that she was our overall winner this year.
Jolicoeur herself enjoyed a successful international show jumping career before becoming one of Douglas Elliman’s top real estate brokers. It was her own experience in the sport that motivated her to develop the Leading Lady Award sponsorship at WEF.
“It was one of my favorite awards to win when I was riding,” said Jolicoeur. “You’re not always the grand prix winner, but when you had a good week, it was nice to be rewarded for being consistent. It was always a nice bonus. I won the Leading Lady Award at Spruce Meadows and the Washington International Horse Show when I was riding, and I thought it would be a really nice addition to the Winter Equestrian Festival. That’s why I created this award 17 years ago.”
Based in Wellington, Fla., Jolicoeur has been serving the equestrian community full-time since 2005 and specializes in residential and farm properties. As part of the elite Douglas Elliman Real Estate Sports and Entertainment division, she offers a wide range of property listings that fit the equestrian lifestyle and beyond. To learn more about Martha W. Jolicoeur, visit www.marthasproperties.com
