Wellington, Fla. – January 22, 2026—Lucas Porter and his 14-year-old mare Vigakata made a victorious return to the show ring, winning the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Speed on Thursday of Week 3 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
Lucas Porter & Vigakata. Photo ©Sportfot
Porter (USA) had his 2025 WEF season cut short one year ago due to a serious shoulder injury. In August of 2025, he found his way back to the saddle after a significant amount of rest and rehabilitation. While on the sidelines, his recovery process has only pushed him to be stronger in and out of the saddle. “It’s a tough one to get back from, and it takes a lot of time to recover, but I’m super happy to be back,” Porter explained.
Over course designer Peter Grant’s (CAN) track, Porter secured the win in 71.62 seconds over runner-up Zoe Hank Conter of Germany. She took second place on Stephex Stables’ Melodie-K van’t Kattenheye, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, in 72.11 seconds. Alejandro Karolyi (VEN) closed out the podium in 74.27 seconds aboard Tempual LS for owner Wins Equestrian Group.
Lucas Porter & Vigakata are presented as winners of the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* 1.45m Speed. Photo ©Sportfot
Initially bought as a seven-year-old by his family, Vigakata (Vigo D’Arsouilles STX) has been one of Porter’s mounts for the past three years after taking over the ride for his brother, Wilton. “She’s a lovely horse—scopey, reliable and overall, a good mare,” said Porter of the horse owned by Sleepy P Ranch BV.
Coming into the International Arena for the first time since last year, Porter had a solid plan. “I wanted to have a ride that was a bit handy. Not even that fast, but handy and tight,” he said. His careful thinking landed him in the winner’s circle for the first time with Vigakata.
“It worked out for me, and it sets us up well for Sunday,” Porter says of his plan to now focus on the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Grand Prix. “Vigakata will have two days of rest, I’ll work her a little bit on the flat to make sure she’s feeling good in her body, then she’ll go again on Sunday.
With plans to take the season day-by-day, Porter lets his horses dictate where they’ll go and what they’ll jump each week. “I’ll probably stay at the two-, three-star level, and if it goes higher than that, then great.” Porters stated. “My horses feel fresh and ready to go, but it’s a long season, and it’s only the beginning of the year. It’s important not to overdo it early on.”
For complete results from the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Speed, click HERE.
Earlier in the day, Irish Olympian Bertram Allen won the $116,000 Adequan® CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 riding Eddy Blue for owner Carol Sollak.
Bertram Allen & Eddy Blue. Photo ©Sportfot
Bertram Allen & Eddy Blue are presented as winners of the $116.100 Adequan® CSI4* WEF Challenge Round 3 by Chelsea Sinkbeil, Senior Equine Event Specialist. Photo ©Sportfot
Competition continues during WEF 3, sponsored by NetJets, with the CSI4* $215,000 NetJets Grand Prix taking place during Saturday Night Lights at 7 p.m. ET on January 24.
Brady Mitchell Takes the Blue in Antarès Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunters
Canada’s Brady Mitchell and Ca Renard du Rouet started their partnership off with a champion tricolor in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter ring on Thursday during Week 3 of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). With scores of 90, 92 and two 94s, they swept the over fences events and topped the Antarès Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunter division.
Brady Mitchell & Ca Renard du Rouet. Photo ©Sportfot
Brady Mitchell & Ca Renard du Rouet presented as champions of the Antares Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunter division. Photo ©Sportfot
“It’s only our third week of having him in the stable, and I couldn’t be happier,” Mitchell said of the 8-year-old son of Balou du Rouet owned by Float On Equestrian. “When I first got down here, my stomach flipped over when I saw him for the first time. I knew we had to have him, so we purchased him.”
With a passion for riding young, green horses, Mitchell explains that his method for getting these horses to shine in the show ring is patience. “I try to not make anything a big deal, and oftentimes, patience is the fastest way.
With a stacked deck in his back pocket, Mitchell—hailing from Port Perry, ON, but based out of Wellington, FL—is aiming for consistent rounds in the 3’3” greens with a potential move up to the 3’6” Green Hunters if all goes well with Ca Renard Du Rouet. “I am the luckiest guy in town. I have depth in my string, and I think we’ll be happy when they are all out and going.”
Reserve Champion was awarded to Hunter Kay of Charlotte, NC, and Palantir, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Samantha Karp.
Hunter Kay & Palantir, reserve champions of the Antares Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunter division. Photo ©Sportfot
For full results of the Antarès Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunter division, click HERE.
Full results from WEF 3 are available HERE.
