American rider Mimi Gochman and her horse Iron Maiden claimed victory in the $300,000 1.60m Longines FEI World Cup CSI-5* Ocala on February 14, 2026, at the World Equestrian Center. They were the only combination to achieve a double clear round, securing a berth in the World Cup Finals. The win marks Gochman's first in the series.
The event took place in Ocala, Florida, where 38 rider-horse combinations competed over a first-round course featuring 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts, designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral. The time allowed was 76 seconds, with only four clear rounds recorded. Gochman and the 11-year-old gray gelding Iron Maiden completed the first round in 73.59 seconds and the jump-off in 41.79 seconds.
For the 22-year-old Gochman, this victory represented a significant milestone, fulfilling a goal set in January 2025 to qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 8-12. She has partnered with Iron Maiden since the beginning of last summer and praised his bravery: “He’s super, super brave and he can jump over mountains.” Gochman noted the tight time allowed kept riders focused, saying, “I think definitely having a tight time allowed made it, so we had to be on our toes.”
Eduardo Pereira De Menezes of Brazil and H5 Ozzy vd Bisschop finished second with a four-fault jump-off time of 42.65 seconds. Menezes, 46, remarked, “We did our best in the jump-off, and even if I was clear, I couldn’t catch her. I’m happy to be second.” Ireland's Cian O’Connor, a four-time Olympian, placed third on Kentucky TN with a time of 43.36 seconds and one rail down. He commended Gochman’s progression: “What she’s achieved is amazing.”
Australian Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way took fourth after a clear first round. Iron Maiden is owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm, LLC’s Jasmine Weber Talley, who names horses after rock bands. Gochman, based in Wellington, Florida, expressed enthusiasm for returning to the World Equestrian Center: “The horses absolutely love it here.” Cabral described the course as fair for horses and demanding for riders.
