Sean Jobin & Grande Dame DK Notch the $62,500 Ascenté Aviation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* Victory 

Ocala, FL – Three-star competition returned to World Equestrian Center – Ocala as a top field of riders took to the WEC Grand Arena to contest the $62,500 Ascenté Aviation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* during Week IV of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series. In the end, Canada’s Sean Jobin claimed the win aboard his new partner, Grande Dame DK (By Ceira D’ick x Kannan), owned by Antrim Equestrian.

World-renowned course designer Olaf Petersen (GER) set the track, which tested athletes throughout the class. Ten combinations found the path to a clear first round, but only five managed to produce double-clear efforts.

Sara Segal (USA) was first to return and set the early pace with a clear round in 44.64 seconds aboard Boreale De Fondcombe. Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) followed with a strong effort but had one unlucky rail in 44.00 seconds riding Katniss Du Val Geer.

Ireland’s Philip McGuane was next to go with Evergate Stables LLC’s Coronado (San Patrignano Cassini x Acord II). Piloting the 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding, McGuane delivered a speedy round, shaving several seconds off the clock to stop it in 41.74 seconds to take over the lead.

Several athletes attempted to catch McGuane’s time, but none were able to do so as the order began to wind down. That was until Sean Jobin entered the ring with Grande Dame DK. “You always have a uniquely good opportunity going later in the jump-off,” Jobin expressed. “I watched Philip go, and after watching, my goal was to go really tight to the second-to-last oxer and be as tidy as I could everywhere else, and it paid off.”

The pair edged into the lead by fractions of a second, stopping the clock at 41.29 seconds to secure the win.

Jobin also spoke about his developing partnership with the special 10-year-old Selle Français mare. “I’ve had her for about a year now. We got her in France. When I went to look at her, I just loved the feeling I got from her. She has a nice, big, open step and has that nice French style of going. She fits really well in the string we have,” he shared. “We have been taking the development slowly with her, because she has such a strong heart, and she’s so smart and eager. I think she has quite the future ahead of her.”

Last to go, Rachel Long (USA) secured third place on the leaderboard aboard Michael Kvistad’s 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Olympic Van De Meyhoeve (Nabab De Reve x Upgrade), delivering a quick and clear round in 43.39 seconds.

$62,500 Ascente Aviation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* Results

Tony Stormanns Scores First U25 Grand Prix Win with RMF Cinnamo in $32,000 Grand Prix CSIU25 Sponsored by Forestier Sellier

The $32,000 Grand Prix CSIU25 sponsored by Forestier Sellier served as the highlight of the afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, where 19 competitive horse-and-rider combinations contested the class while aiming to earn valuable points toward the WEC CSIU25 Leaderboard, also sponsored by Forestier Sellier. Germany’s Tony Stormanns emerged victorious, piloting Rushy Marsh Farm LLC’s RMF Cinnamo (Magic Park x Avon) to his first U25 Grand Prix win.

Renowned course designer Olaf Petersen (GER) once again presented a technical and thoughtful track. Only five combinations managed to jump clear in the first round, advancing to the jump-off, where just three ultimately produced double-clear efforts.

Hallie Grimes (USA) was the first rider to post a double-clear performance, guiding the 10-year-old Australian Warmblood gelding Jon Snow (Vingino x Eldorado Vd Zeshoek) through an efficient jump-off round in 45.71 seconds.

The next clear came from Stormanns, who had already tested the jump-off track earlier with Twick Star before returning with RMF Cinnamo. Reflecting on the differences between the two mounts, Stormanns shared, “‘Cinnamo’ is nothing like Twick Star. Cinnamo is a careful horse. You have to ride him forward without worrying about the poles too much. If you ride him too slow, you might have a problem with the back pole. Whereas Twick Star, you have to hold him off the first pole, which I didn’t do at the final oxer and had the rail down, but he was fantastic overall.”

At the sound of the buzzer, Stormanns and RMF Cinnamo were all business. Utilizing the 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding’s massive stride, Stormanns stopped the clock at an impressive 43.59 seconds, a time that ultimately proved uncatchable.

RMF Cinnamo holds special significance for Stormanns, who reflected on their shared history. “Cinnamo is actually a returning horse of mine. He used to belong to Catherine Pasmore and my mother [Helena Stormanns] as a share. At some point, when I was 15, just starting in the juniors, he was given to me, and I jumped the Junior Nations Cup™ in Zuidwolde [Netherlands]. Then I took him to the European Championships there, making it to the final, I think I was top 30 in the end. Then he was given to Rushy Marsh Farm and Michael Duffy. He was with Michael for a long time, and at some point Rushy Marsh Farm decided to give him to me, which I was very happy about. Now he just won me my first U25 Grand Prix!”

Week II CSIU25 Grand Prix winner and current U25 leaderboard leader Carlee McCutcheon (USA) entered the ring with hopes of another podium finish. She piloted Purple Rein Investments’ 13-year-old Westphalian mare Coco Mercedes (Chacco’s Son II x Florestan I) to a lightning-fast jump-off time of 43.81 seconds, just two-tenths of a second off the winning pace, to secure second place.

The U25 Series sponsored by Forestier Sellier continues to foster a highly competitive atmosphere, as young athletes vie for the opportunity to win a custom saddle from Forestier Sellier. With McCutcheon and Stormanns currently leading the charge, the rivalry is heating up. “Knowing that there is a saddle up for grabs, I am going to try even more now,” joked Stormanns. “I have a lot of respect for Carlee, she’s a very good rider, and I’ve known her for a long time. She’s a difficult opponent. Beating her today, as tight as the time was between us, I don’t think I’m going to have that opportunity again, but I’m sure going to try,” he laughed.

$32,000 Grand Prix CSIU25 sponsored by Forestier Sellier 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.