The 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season closed on Saturday night with the Rolex Finale week. Taking home the crown on Saturday night in front of a full house by winning the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix, was USA’s world No.2 Kent Farrington with his own 12-year-old Oldenburg mare Greya (Colesus x Contender) between the reins. The Olympic rider wrote down his name in history: Seven years have gone by since the last American won this event in Wellington.
In a field of 40 qualified riders, five advanced to the jump-off with British Olympic Champion Ben Maher setting the bar high in a time of 43.72 seconds aboard his 12-year-old Selle Français gelding Enjeu de Grisien (Toulon x Andiamo) owned by Charlotte Rossetter & Pamela Wright. Farrington and his mount rode Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) track with a fast and precise round closing with a 42.99 seconds to top the leaderboard.
Kent Farrington & Greya. Photo ©Sportfot
“You never know if it’s perfect until the class is over, but I thought I put in a very competitive round,” said the Rolex testimonial. “It’s always great to win at home; the Wellington crowd that comes out here and cheers for all of us, particularly the American riders. The best riders come here, the prize money is great, and the high level of competition makes the Rolex event very prestigious. I am fortunate to have Greya who is an outstanding horse and can do everything.” His groom, Denise Moriarty, was awarded the Double H Farms Grooms Award for her care and preparation of Greya.
Settling for second place honors was world No.3 Maher. “It’s always hard to go first when you have these guys after. Kent’s always there, and he’s always fast, but I’m proud of my horse. He was a little slow to develop, but the older he gets, the better.”
Ben Maher & Enjeu de Grisien. Photo ©Sportfot
Closing third in a time of 42.87 seconds and a rail at the final fence in the jump-off was reigning European Champion Richard Vogel riding Gangster Montdesir, a 10-year-old Selle Français stallion (Kannan x Cornet Obolensky). “It’s only over when it’s over,” said the world No.4 rider. “Unfortunately, riding to the last fence I should have done one less stride. Gangster was right there with me, and I’m super proud of how he performed and how he jumped.”
Richard Vogel & Gangster Montdesir. Photo ©Sportfot
For complete results of the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix, click HERE.
Facts from WEF:
Wellington International debuted as part of the Rolex Series in 2025, joining a list of the most renowned equestrian sport venues in the world, including Rome, Italy; La Baule, France; Falsterbo, Sweden; Dinard, France; Dublin, Ireland; and Brussels, Belgium.
Wellington International President Michael Stone concluded the evening by saying, “We’ve always strived to elevate the sport in the U.S., and to be able to have a competition tonight with the level of the riders that are here is mind-blowing. I’ve been in the sport almost all my life, and to be able to sit here with these guys, it’s special. It’s what we’ve been trying to achieve, and it drives us to achieve more.”
WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition—four of which are five-stars—running through March 29, in Wellington, Fla., when the 2026 season comes to a celebrated close. Visit WellingtonInternational.com for results, schedules, and wall-to-wall streaming.
Reported by Simona Diale/International Horse Press
Photos ©Sportfot, courtesy WEF
