Wellington, Fla. – March 27, 2026— USA’s Charlotte Jacobs and Rincoola Milsean are making their comeback after an injury sidelined the 13-year-old gelding in the summer of 2024. On Friday, they won the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Speed and punched Jacobs’ ticket to the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix, a Rolex Series Event, on Saturday night under the lights. WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition—four of which are five-stars—running through March 29, in Wellington, FL.
Charlotte Jacobs & Rincoola Milsean. ©Sportfot
Thirty qualifying spots were claimed on Thursday afternoon, and with only 10 coveted spots available, the pressure was looming on Friday afternoon. Coursing Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) track, Jacobs pinned at the top from a 67-rider line-up, including six of the world’s top ten show jumping athletes.
“I feel amazing. I knew this class was very important for tomorrow, but I also knew I had a good chance to win with him. I stuck to my plan, rode my numbers, and I’m thrilled with the outcome,” said Jacobs, who won the BrainWater CSI2* Grand Prix with her Aldatus Z x Cruising Irish Sport Horse during WEF 11.
Jacobs set the tone early, securing her top podium finish in 66.88 seconds with USA’s Marilyn Little hot on her heels in 67.52 seconds riding Narado, an 8-year-old Grandorado TN N.O.P x Purisos KWPN gelding for owners Ten Carrot LLC. Last to join the podium was Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and the 15-year-old gelding Ariso (Casall Ask x Contender) with a time of 68.62 seconds.
Charlotte Jacobs (pictured on Cristiano Obelensky) presented as the winner of the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* 1.50m. ©Sportfot
“I’m extremely lucky. You don’t come across these horses very often,” said Jacobs of the gelding affectionately called Roy in the barn. “He truly is a once-in-a-lifetime for me. Every time I go in the ring, I know I have a good chance to win or be competitive. He’s very reliable, and his clear round percentages are extremely high.”
Marilyn Little & Narado. ©Sportfot
Jacobs has been riding under the direction of World No. 2 Kent Farrington for the past year, and spoke about how the partnership has contributed to her recent success. “He’s been amazing for me mentally, and helping me believe in my plan. This horse, specifically, I have a lot of belief in, but Kent has given me even more belief in him. He’s an amazing mentor, very cool-headed, and I’m lucky that he took me in.”
Jordan Coyle & Ariso. ©Sportfot
The Rolex Series includes seven events—beginning in Wellington and culminating in Brussels—with the world’s top riders competing for the podium. The $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix kicks off the series during Saturday Night Lights on March 28.
With a guaranteed spot in the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix this Saturday night, Jacobs will be piloting Playboy JT Z in her first-ever Rolex Grand Prix event.
For complete results of the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* 1.50m, click HERE.
Rolex Finale Week continues on Saturday under the Night Light with the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix starting at 8 p.m. Visit WellingtonInternational.com for results, schedules, and wall-to-wall streaming.
Juan Manuel Gallego is Victorious in $32,000 Vogel CSI2* 1.45m
Spain’s Juan Manuel Gallego and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood Oriana Van’t Ruytershof claimed their victory in the $32,000 Vogel CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier on Friday morning of the Rolex Finale Week at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Juan Manuel Gallego and Oriana van’t Ruytershof presented as winners of the $32,000 Vogel CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier. ©Sportfot
Twelve of the seventy-three riders came back to test the course designed by Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) with Gallego taking the lead at 42.42 seconds aboard the Vigo D’Arsouilles STX x Bamako de Muze mare. With a footspeed fast enough for a second-place finish at 43.37 seconds was Hilary McNerney riding her own Corlando, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding.
“This mare is always giving me everything; she’s a winner and super consistent. I had a good feeling this week, last year I kept getting seconds, so today I wanted to go all in and it worked,” spoke Gallego of the mare owned by Anniela Gonzalez Del Valle.
“She’s a bit of a sensitive mare, but she always tries and wants to go clear. She’s easy to work with at home and super mature in the ring,” spoke Gallego of the mare that has become one of his top horses. “We’ll aim her for the two- and three-stars, and if I do a five-star, she’s the one that’s going to give me the points in the ranking classes.”
For complete results of the $32,000 Vogel CSI2* 1.45m, click HERE.
Full results from WEF 12 are available HERE.
