Michael Duffy and Mister Qerly Z Capture a Photo Finish Win in the $32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* 

30 JAN 26 Ocala, FL

Equestrian rider and horse jump over a green and white obstacle during a show jumping competition, with plants and flowers in the foreground and a building in the background.

Ocala, FL – Thirty horse-and-rider combinations gathered early Friday morning in the WEC Grand Arena to contest the $32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*. In the end, it came down to an all-Irish duel, where Michael Duffy narrowly stole the win by just one hundredth of a second aboard G Sporthorses Limited Partnership’s Mister Qerly Z (Mosito Van Het Hellehof x For Pleasure).

The demanding track was designed by FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), with assistance from FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN). Thirteen combinations delivered fault-free rounds within the time allowed to advance to the jump-off.

Maya Denis (MEX) was first to return aboard her initial jump-off mount, Jantien De Muze, setting an early benchmark with a clear round in 39.25 seconds.

Equestrian rider and horse jump over a hurdle during a show jumping competition in an outdoor arena with empty white seats in the background.
Daniel Coyle & Urville Z flying to second place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Ireland’s Daniel Coyle followed with his new partner, Urville Z (Ukato x Crown Z), a 13-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Ariel Grange. The pair galloped through the short course, slicing several seconds off the time to stop the clock in 35.58 seconds.

An equestrian competes in a show jumping event, riding a horse over a colorful obstacle decorated with hot air balloons and flowers.
Maya Denis and Callypso de la Hamente Z jumping to third place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Coyle’s time held as multiple competitors tried to chase him down. Denis returned later in the order aboard her second mount, Callypso de la Hamente Z (Chellsini Z x Kashmir Van Schuttershof), a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, and came tantalizingly close, finishing in 35.78 seconds.

Fellow Irishman Michael Duffy entered the ring determined to take his shot with Mister Qerly Z. “I think you can only go as fast as your horse can go. That’s the key to a jump-off,” he explained. “He’s very good on the right, and he’s a little green on the left turn. So, I stayed a bit wide on the left turn from three to four, but then I’d say I probably had two less strides on the right turn.”

A rider in a black jacket and helmet jumps a chestnut horse over a yellow and black obstacle at an outdoor equestrian event with empty white bleachers in the background.
Michael Duffy & Mister Qerly Z. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Duffy and Mister Qerly Z flew through the timers, stopping the clock just one hundredth of a second faster in 35.57 seconds to secure the win.

Reflecting on the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Duffy added, “I bought him as an eight-year-old. He had some time off last year, so this is only his second show back. He’s very talented and always ahead of the trend. He’s been very, very good. He just needed a little time.”

A rider in equestrian attire sits on a horse draped with a winner's blanket in front of show jumping obstacles at an outdoor arena.
Michael Duffy & Mister Qerly Z standing for their first-place photo. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

International competition continues on Saturday, January 31, with the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix CSI4* at 5pm in the WEC Grand Arena. Action concludes on Sunday, February 1, with the $65,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix CSI2* beginning at 11am, wrapping up international competition for Week V of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series. CSI4*, CSI2*, and CSIU25 competition returns during Week VI.

$32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! 

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.