Wellington, Fla. – May 4, 2026—Nora Nauss of Maple Plain, Minn., took to the grass derby field at Equestrian Village for a win in the $24,999 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix to close out the fourth week of the Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, riding Dorchester for owners Team Welles and Whistler Equestrian.
Nora Nauss & Dorchester. Photo ©Sportfot
The Spring Series spans five weeks and runs through May 10, featuring hunter, jumper and equitation competition at Wellington International, home of the famed Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Learn more about the Spring Series HERE.
Nauss was first to return for an 11-horse jump-off over courses designed by Andy Christiansen (USA) and set an uncatchable standard.
“I love going early because I can ride my plan and I can’t overthink it that way,” said Nauss, 19, who trains with Andrew Welles at Team Welles in Wellington. “Going in, I knew I really had to go for it. I did all the leave-outs and let her do what she does best—she loves to go fast.”
Nauss set the pace and kept the pace with her 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, sired by Carembar de Muze, stopping the short course clock at 41.038 seconds. Canadian Gavin Moylan, who now calls Wellington, Fla., home, was fractions off the winning time with Lordy-P to finish second in 41.908 for owner Foxstone Equine. Ariana Marnell of Las Vegas, Nev., rounded out the podium in third, riding her own Navaar to a time of 42.215 seconds.
Nora Nauss & Dorchester are presented as winners of the $24,999 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix by PBEC veterinarian Dr. Natalia Novoa. Photo ©Sportfot
“My trainer let me ride [Dorchester] a little bit during WEF last year, and now we own her together,” said Nauss, who is currently taking a gap year to focus on competing. “I’ve been riding her consistently since the beginning of this year, and she helped me get my second-ever grand prix win today.”
For complete results of the $24,999 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix, click HERE.
Hunters took to the derby field during Spring 4 for the $2,700 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Zycosan, won by Maxima Lanasa of Palm Beach, Fla., riding Dom Perignon for owner Samantha O’Brien.
Maxima Lanasa and Dom Perignon. Photo ©Sportfot
Consistency ruled the day for Lanasa in the one-round derby that included both a classic and handy phase. She tallied an 88 in both phases to finish in the lead by four points with a final 176.
“He will do anything, and he already has done everything—he’s perfect,” said Lanasa of the 13-year-old Cassini I gelding that carried her to victory.
Lanasa trains under the direction of Katie Brown and Blue Star Equestrian, based out of East Norwich, N.Y., and has been sidelined from the competition ring for the last six weeks due to a concussion.
“This week is my first time back jumping full-time, so I wanted a nice, smooth round for my first time back,” concluded Lanasa.
Maxima Lanasa and Dom Perignon are presented as winners of the $2,700 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Zycosan. Photo ©Sportfot
Rounding out the rest of the top placings, Debra Ward of Plantation, Fla., took second aboard Tavish, owned by Cinthia Ane-Mcgreevy, with a score of 172. Kimberly Maloomian of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Terry Maloomian’s Lost Boy were third with a 170 total.
For complete results of the $2,700 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Zycosan, click HERE.
Winners Corner
$10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m
Ariana Marnell & Navaar
Ariana Marnell & Navaar. Photo ©Sportfot
Ariana Marnell & Navaar are presented as winners of the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m by Jennifer and Richard Schechter. Photo ©Sportfot
$1,000 USHJA 2’6” Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby
Barbara Close & Valedictorian
Barbara Close & Valedictorian. Photo ©Sportfot
Barbara Close & Valedictorian are presented as winners of the $1,000 USHJA 2’6” Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby. Photo ©Sportfot
$5,000 1.35m Stake, presented by Dever
Jad Dana & C’Est Jens
Jad Dana & C’Est Jens, winners of the $5,000 1.35m Stake, presented by Dever. Photo ©Sportfot
$2,640 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, presented by Arthramid
Eva Paliouras & Iniesta
Eva Paliouras & Iniesta, winners of the 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic and champions of the division, presented by Arthramid. Photo ©Sportfot
To view complete results from Spring 4, click HERE. For champion and reserve titles, click HERE.
Visit WellingtonInternational.com to view results, schedules and streaming schedules for the Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment.
