Francisco Goyoaga Mollet Scores First $65,000 Standlee Grand Prix CSI2* Victory at WEC – Wilmington Spring 1

24 MAY 26 Wilmington, OH

Equestrian rider and horse leap over a green and yellow obstacle during a show jumping competition, with a scoreboard visible in the background.

Wilmington, Ohio – Spain’s Francisco Goyoaga Mollet captured his first-ever $65,000 Standlee Grand Prix CSI2* victory on Saturday evening during World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Spring 1 aboard Katniss Du Val Geer (For Pleasure).

Four people pose outdoors with a horse and an oversized check at an equestrian event. One person sits on the horse, while the others stand beside them, smiling at the camera.
Francisco Goyoaga Mollet in the winner’s circle presented by Standlee. Photo by Winslow Photography.

A competitive field of 26 entries tackled the Alan Wade (IRL) designed track in the Outdoor Jumper Arena, with just three combinations producing double-clear performances to secure podium finishes. Goyoaga ultimately proved untouchable in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 34.17 seconds for the win.

The victory marked an especially memorable evening for Goyoaga, who also claimed third place aboard Queen Van Dorperheide (H&M Chilli Willi x Winningmood). 

“I’m super happy! I’ve won a lot of FEI classes, but never the Grand Prix. I have been second about 15 or 20 times,” Goyoaga laughed after the class. “I brought two really good horses here that are overqualified. I thought I had good chances, but I didn’t expect it tonight!” 

An equestrian rider in uniform jumps a dark horse over a tall red and white obstacle during a show jumping competition outdoors.
Francisco Goyoaga Mollet & Katniss Du Val Geer. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Piloting the 10-year-old mare Katniss Du Val Geer, Goyoaga returned last in the jump-off and used the advantage of going later in the order to shave valuable seconds off the clock. 

“I just got the ride on her a month or so ago. She already has a lot of experience. I always try to do my best and I can’t do anything but that. I just do what I can.” 

“I had a way different plan for the jump-off than what I did actually. I could have actually been a second faster if I rode a bit better. But she’s super fast and it all worked out for me today” he shared. 

Equestrian rider on a brown horse jumps over a green and yellow obstacle during a show jumping competition, with a large scoreboard visible in the background.
Charlotte Bettendorf & Kalliope. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Luxembourg’s Charlotte Bettendorf piloted the 10-year-old mare Kalliope (Emerald x Deister) to second place after posting a double-clear effort in 35.36 seconds. Goyoaga rounded out the podium aboard Queen Van Dorperheide with another fault-free performance in 35.53 seconds.

A rider in equestrian attire jumps a brown horse over a white obstacle during a show jumping competition, with flags and greenery in the background.
Francisco Goyoaga Mollet & Queen Van Dorperheide. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Ireland’s Simon McCarthy finished just off the podium with Igor GPH after incurring four faults in the jump-off with a time of 34.94 seconds. Beezie Madden and Micky-Cara rounded out the top five on four faults in 36.01.

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com.

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