Hat Trick for Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Baroness at Wellington International

Wellington, Fla. – February 14, 2026—Venezuelan Olympian Luis Fernando Larrazabal and his 11-year-old Westphalian mare Baroness scored their third international victory of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season. The hat trick victory came on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village in the $62,500 Adequan® CSI3* WEF Challenge Cup Round 6. Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs at Wellington International through March 29 in Wellington, FL.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal & Baroness are presented as winners of the $62,500 Adequan® CSI3* WEF Challenge Cup Round 6. Photo ©Sportfot

Just off the winning pace of 45.78 seconds over course designer Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris’ tracks, Ireland’s Bertram Allen and his mount from the Tokyo Olympic Games—14-year-old Pacino Amiro—finished second. Allen and the Irish-bred gelding (Pacino x NC Amiro) owned by Aloga Stables stopped the clock at 46.61 seconds. Quentin Judge (USA) was third riding 14-year-old Belgian-bred mare HH Griffin van de Heffinck (Castelino van de Helle x PKZ Contact van de Heffinck) in a time of 46.97 seconds for owner Double H Farm.

“When we come out here on the grass field, she has a lot of success, and I always have a good feeling, but you never know until you pass the timer flags after that last jump,” said Larrazabal, who bested the returning 12 in the second round with a blistering fast round near the end of the group. “I’m very pleased. Luckily, I was at the end of the second round, which gave me perspective on how the others were doing.

“I made my plan as always—I know she’s fast, and we know each other inside out,” continued Larrazabal of the mare he has been competing with since she was six.

Baroness (Balous Bellini x Polydor) is owned by Leeann Ablin and was Larrazabal’s mount for the Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru, last December. In that championship, they jumped to double silver medals in team and individual competition.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal & Baroness. Photo ©Sportfot

“The team behind Baroness has been supporting me for so many years,” said Larrazabal. “There have been times when people were asking to buy her, but [Leeann] is committed to keeping the horse for me. I’m very happy that we’re able to bring some wins home.”

Friday marked Larrazabal’s second WEF Challenge Cup victory after starting the season with a win in Round 2. He will now focus on Sunday’s IDA Developments CSI3* Grand Prix while also awaiting the arrival of his third daughter’s due date in three weeks.

For complete results from the $62,500 Adequan® CSI3* WEF Challenge Cup Round 6, click HERE.

**Emily Dehoff and Manou De Muze Moving Up in Hermès CSI3* 1.50m Classic**

Emily Dehoff (USA) and Manou De Muze, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood, stayed on top throughout the $32,000 Hermès CSI3* 1.50m Classic, closing out Saturday’s competition on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village.

With two rounds in which the top 12 returned with faults carried forward, Dehoff, 22, and Manou De Muze (Arko III x Quidam De Revel), owned by The Sporty Game, took the top spot on the podium. She stopped the clock at 49.17 seconds with Tony Stormanns (GER) posting a safe double-clear in 54.84 seconds with Rushy Marsh Farm’s RMF Balouwinsky, a 10-year-old Balous Bellini son.

Emily Dehoff & Manou De Muze. Photo ©Sportfot

Closing out the podium at 46.59 seconds and four faults carried through from the opening round, Zayna Rizvi (USA) and Oryzon van het Schaek, a 12-year-old mare (Zirocco Blue) were third for owners Flying Z.

“I actually had a different plan going in; I wanted to do a couple fewer strides to hopefully try to be the fastest,” stated Dehoff, who trains with John Brennan and Missy Clark at North Run. “Then I saw Tony go—he was clear—but nice and slow. So, I knew I could go a touch faster while also clearing the jumps in hopes of beating him in the end.”

The pair’s partnership began when Dehoff took over the ride from Italy’s Filippo Tabarini and they have been moving up the divisions throughout the past several years. “She’s been my ‘move-up’ horse—she has helped me jump up to the big FEI classes, which was a goal of mine. She’s been a great ride for me and never lets me down.

Just last year, Dehoff was third overall in the BrainJuice U25 overall standings and gave the derby field a go for the first time. Now, she has their sights set on advancing through the FEI levels. “She’s proven herself time after time, so the goal is to keep moving up.”

For complete results of the $32,000 Hermès 1.50m Classic, click HERE.

Earlier in the day, Ariana Marnell (USA) topped the BrainJuice U25 Welcome on the derby field riding her own 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Navaar. In addition to the win, Navaar was honored with the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award for WEF 6, presented by Laura Fetterman.