The United States secured a home win in the $150,000 FEI Nations’ Cup at the CSIO4* Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, on February 28, 2026. Ireland finished second with four faults, while Canada took third place with nine faults and Australia placed fourth with 17 penalties. Eight nations competed in the team show jumping event.
The FEI Nations’ Cup featured eight teams: USA, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Israel, and Mexico. Competition unfolded over two rounds in the International Arena, with the best three scores from each round counting toward the team total.
In the first round, the USA and Ireland tied on zero faults. Canada scored four faults, placing third, while Australia incurred 13 penalties. The USA's Callie Schott on Garant and Marilyn Little on La Contessa delivered clear rounds, as did Ireland's Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam, and Tom Wachman.
The second round maintained the top order. The USA remained fault-free, with Schott and Little clear again, Karl Cook adding four faults, and anchor McLain Ward on Jordan Molga M jumping clear to clinch victory. Ireland added four faults from Wachman on Do It Easy and Sweetnam on Rural Junior SCF, with O’Connor and Jordan Coyle clear. Canada totaled five more faults for nine overall: Chris Pratt on Ideaal ES achieved a double clear, Erynn Ballard on Her Game Ball BG had four faults, and Kyle Timm on Glamour du Chanu added four. Nicole Walker's eight faults on Panter JVH were dropped.
Australia produced four penalties in the second round, highlighted by Lauren Balcomb's double clear on Verdini D’Houtveld Z and Thaisa Erwin's clear on Hialita B, for a total of 17.
“It’s always a good feeling knowing you’re going to either jump off or win,” said Ward. USA chef d’équipe Robert Ridland praised the double clears: “That’s the way you win Nations Cups.” Canadian chef Ian Millar noted, “It was a podium finish for our team tonight and I’m very, very proud of them.” This marked the USA's 11th win in the 25-year history of the event in Wellington.
