Wellington, Fla. – January 4, 2026—Mckayla Langmeier of East Granby, CT, rode Jiselle NS to the jump-off clear to cash in on the $75,000 Dodd Technologies Grand Prix and close out opening week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International.
Mckayla Langmeier & Jiselle NS. Photo ©Sportfot
From a three-horse jump-off, Langmeier returned last over the Eric Hasbrouck (USA) designed course and knew all she had to do was keep the jumps up. After fellow Americans Lillie Keenan and Jacqueline Ruyle had rails, Langmeier adjusted her plan.
“I definitely went a little wider to the last jump once I knew I jumped the first part clear, then I could take a moment to the last,” said Langmeier, who trains with six-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward. “It’s a great way to start the season. I’ve had Jiselle NS since she was six, so I know her well. We’ve worked up to this level together, so for me, my family and North Star, it means a lot to see her perform this well.”
Jiselle NS is a 12-year-old Balou du Rouet daughter bred by the Jacobs family’s North Star Sport Horses (USA).
Mckayla Langmeier & Jiselle NS are presented as winners of the $75,000 Dodd Technologies Grand Prix by Mark Dodd, CEO of Dodd Technologies. Photo ©Sportfot
Langmeier stopped the clock at 42.459 seconds. Ruyle—riding Cyramo Z—and Keenan—aboard Happy Time for owner 5 Roosters—both beat her on the clock but pulled one rail apiece to settle for second and third, respectively.
At 25 years old, Langmeier is still making a name for herself as an up-and-coming athlete at the top level. “It has taken a lot of patience, a lot of time, and a lot of work put into the horses, but I think that’s what makes relationships and makes days like today possible. It’s really rewarding when you have a horse that you bring up win a grand prix like this.”
Watch The Winning Round
When asked about her goals for the 2026 WEF season, Langmeier said, “This year is a developing year for the horses because I have some young ones. We are going to take it day by day and see where they are.”
Complete results from the $75,000 Dodd Technologies Grand Prix can be found HERE.
Competition steps up a notch during WEF 1 with international competition returning to Wellington International for the 2026 winter season, highlighted by the $140,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix during “Saturday Night Lights” on January 10.
Full results from WEF Premiere are available HERE.
Ellie Sadrian Makes Amateur Debut at Wellington International
Ellie Sadrian of Palm Beach, FL, stepped into the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena as an amateur for the first time during opening week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International. Coming off an accomplished junior career, the 18-year-old swept the Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter division for ages 18-35 by winning all classes over fences and finishing the week as both Champion and Reserve Champion.
Incognito and Wonderous, both piloted by Ellie Sadrian, are presented as Champion and Reserve Champion of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter 18-35 division by Lena Lottsfeldt representing the Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach. Photo ©Sportfot
“I was convinced the world was ending when my junior years were over, but I actually really like it,” Sadrian said of her new amateur status. “It’s much more peaceful; I’m not having to run from ring to ring for the equitation anymore, I can focus on one ring with my horses.”
Incognito, a 12-year-old Anglo European Sporthorse gelding by Twister de la Pomme, rose to the occasion by taking home the champion title. They scored an 86 in Sunday’s first round and topped off the day with an 88. Sadrian’s second horse, Wonderous—a 14-year-old gelding—was only a single point off the top tricolor to take reserve with Sunday scores of 85.5 and 87.5.
“Both of these are horses I’ve had throughout my older junior years,” said Sadrian of the two geldings she has transitioned into the amateur-owner ranks with. “I got Coco [Incognito] in the spring of 2024, and I’ve had Sugar [Wonderous] for about five years. He took me from the 3’ division to the 3’6″.”
Ellie Sadrian & Incognito. Photo © Sportfot
During WEF 2025, Sadrian was reserve circuit champion in the junior hunters with Incognito and Wonderous. She trains with John French.
While only one week into WEF, Sadrian has her sights firmly set on WEF 6 and competing during World Championship Hunter Rider Week.
“I would like to stay very consistent and work towards circuit titles again this year,” she concluded.
To see full results from the Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35, click HERE.
In the GGT Footing Textile Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter 36 & Over division, Mark Dorfman of Atlanta, GA, took champion riding Can’t Touch This HS with a high score of 88 in the stake class.
Mark Dorfman & Can’t Touch This HS. Photo © Sportfot
To see full results from the GGT Footing Textile Amateur-Owner 36 & Over, click HERE.
