Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam won the $215,000 MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix at Wellington International on February 1, 2026, with a jump-off time of 41.40 seconds aboard Coriaan van Klapscheut Z. Fellow Irish rider Bertram Allen finished second, while American Natalie Dean took third place. Australian Jamie Winning-Kermond secured fourth on Tulara WAT Colbensky.
The CSI4* MARS Equestrian Grand Prix highlighted Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, on February 1, 2026. Hosted on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village, the event featured a $215,000 prize pool and drew top international showjumpers. Course designer Anderson Lima of Brazil set a challenging track that saw six combinations advance to the jump-off, with five achieving double-clear rounds, deciding the winner by time.
Shane Sweetnam, a two-time Irish Olympian, claimed victory with the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (by Comme Il Faut 5 x Lord Z Z), owned with Voquest, LLC. Their time of 41.40 seconds proved uncatchable, shaving three seconds off the leading mark. Sweetnam, who began riding the horse in mid-2024 after trying it in Sweden, praised its quick adaptation: "His first week here last year, he’d never done an FEI class and was second in the WEF [Challenge Cup]. He took to it like a duck to water and was very competitive from the start—even though he was green. He really wants to leave the jumps up."
Bertram Allen followed closely in second at 41.95 seconds aboard the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood Conquest de Rigo (by Fantomas de Muze x VDL Indoctro), owned by Aloga Stables. Sweetnam noted the rivalry: "We’ve been second a lot, which was my year last year, so it’s nice to have him put me up one spot and get the win." Natalie Dean, 26, rounded out the podium in third with 44.03 seconds on the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding Mr Boombastic (by Vigo Cece x Sable Rose), owned by Marigold Sporthorses. Dean also received the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for her week's performance.
Australian Jamie Winning-Kermond and the 12-year-old mare Tulara WAT Colbensky (by Colman x Tulara Cornetto), owned by Rachel Peel, finished fourth after a double-clear round. Canadians Erynn Ballard with Dior placed sixth, and Chris Pratt with Lollypop tenth. Sweetnam's groom, Maria Israelsson, earned the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 for her preparation of the winner. The WEF continues through March 29, showcasing 12 weeks of international competition.