Wellington, Fla. – February 9, 2026—Hilary McNerney (USA) and her own Corlando took top honors in the $62,500 Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Grand Prix on Sunday to close out the fifth week of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Running through March 29, WEF hosts 12 weeks of international competition at Wellington International.
Hilary McNerney & Corlando. Photo ©Sportfot
With previous podium finishes coming this season, McNerney has been chasing a blue ribbon, and it finally came when she bested the 13 other jump-off contenders over 2024 Paris Olympic Games course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track. McNerney stopped the clock at 35.25, with Juan Manuel Gallego (ESP) right behind her on Leoro Horse Sales’s Oriana Van’t Ruytershof, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, at 36.52 seconds.
Completing the podium at 36.87 seconds was USA’s Alison Robitaille aboard her own Claire De Lune 33, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare by Clarimo Ask.
“The wins don’t come easy in this sport, but they are worth it. I felt like we grew from our last jump-off, and our turns were much better. I was proud of him for staying with me the whole time,” said the Florida Native.
Previously ridden by Hunter Holloway for the Bluman family, Corlando came under the direction of McNerney after being told by her coach Kent Farrington, that the horse would be a good fit for her. McNerney fell in love within the first ride, and they have been growing as a pair since. “We got him from Hunter, and she did a great job of developing him. She did some two stars on him, so I was able to do this because of her—she did all that.
“I really liked him the minute I sat on him. He’s very much game, super competitive and wants to win and be clear, which is great,” said McNerney of the gelding’s previous rider and abilities in the ring.
Hilary McNerney & Corlando are presented as winners of the $62,500 Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Grand Prix by (left to right) Christina Ventura, Margaret Mayada Elamin, George Loulakos, Pavlos Chourpouliadis, Liam Watters, and Jack Morgan. Photo ©Sportfot
Training with World No. 2 and with more experience riding stallions, McNerney is learning to balance the ride of the smaller-framed Corlando (Corporal VDL x Laptop). “I’ve never quite had a horse like that. Being a taller person, I don’t go for a small horse balance-wise. Stallions tend to have bigger steps, so I’m more used to that, but I’m always up for the challenge, and it’s always good to learn how to ride every type of horse.”
Intending to work on consistency and to keep a steady pace throughout the two-star competitions at WEF with hopes to move up as they progress, McNerney stated, “He’s great, he gets me in the ring, and he makes me really competitive.”
For complete results of the $62,500 Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Grand Prix, click HERE.
Full results from WEF 5 are available HERE.
Adult Equitation Highlights Final Day of WEF 5
Adult Equitation made an appearance in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Sunday afternoon during Week 5 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with Brenden Weiss of Havenport, MA, and Monaco Optimus taking the tricolor in the Ariat National Adult Medal.
Brendan Weiss & Monaco Optimus. Photo ©Sportfot
Riding Monaco Optimus, owned by Maria Fernanda Gonzalez Jubiz, for the first time, Weiss scored a total of 89.1. Weiss was in fourth place after the over-fences round and made his way to the top by making use of an inside turn during the test.
“I did my best—you never know what’s going to happen or how it’s going to shake out. I’m honestly looking to have some fun, but a blue ribbon doesn’t hurt,” stated Weiss, who trains with his trainer Kim Buzby, of his goals for the season after claiming the THIS NHS Adult Equitation Championship in 2025.
Outside of the saddle, Weiss juggles a full-time career in medical device sales. He travels to Wellington a few times during the season to compete on weekends.
“It takes a lot of effort, but I think it’s something about the horses that I’ve always had in me,” said Weiss. “If you want it, you have to work hard for it, and you can make it happen.”
Taking second place was Matthew Lowe of New York, NY, riding Gagarin for owners Ashland Farms. Gigi Manigault of Charleston, SC, took third place with Illusion Imperio Egipcio, owned by Finally Farm.
For complete results of the Ariat National Adult Medal, click HERE.
Continuing adult equitation action, Willow Vince of New York, NY, and Hardwell won the Bruno Delgrange Palm Beach Adult Medal after a test on the flat.
Willow Vince & Hardwell. Photo ©Sportfot
“I know my strong suit is definitely the flat, and I’ve perfected my sitting trot. We’ve worked on that a lot, so I always try to be the first one in the ring and show that off,” stated Vince of her test.
As a senior at Amherst College, Vince spends her time out of the saddle working on her thesis on child development. “I have a great team. My barn is amazing, and my professors are amazing. I also made my workload, so I have classes on Monday and can come down here and ride,” explained Vince.
Outside of Equitation, Vince competes in the jumpers with her other horse and is placing an emphasis on having fun in the ring before graduating from college.
Earning second place was Lindsay Swedenburg of Scarsdale, NY, on Konfessions owned by Brookside Pine Farms. Third place was awarded to Raine Whitman of Wellington, FL, riding her own Miron 10.
For complete results of the Bruno Delgrange Palm Beach Adult Medal, click HERE.
Full results from WEF 5 are available HERE.
