Ireland’s Simon McCarthy & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof Defend $65,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI2 Title*

30 MAY 26 Wilmington, OH

Equestrian rider on a brown horse jumps over an obstacle decorated with butterfly wings at an outdoor competition. Flags and trees are visible in the background.

Wilmington, Ohio – The sun was shining and the stage was set at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Saturday evening for the $65,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI2* of Spring 2. Athletes representing eight different nations met for the final day of international competition, where FEI Level III course designer Catsy Cruz built a track that saw seven riders move onto the jump-off phase.

A rider in equestrian attire guides a brown horse over a red show jumping obstacle in an outdoor arena with trees and a white tent in the background.
Simon McCarthy & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Ireland’s Simon McCarthy returned to defend his winning title, having topped the same class at last year’s Spring Series riding his own Narcotique V/H Dingenshof (VDL Harley x Chacco-Blue).

The pair dominated the class from start to finish, producing the first clear round of the day and ultimately setting an uncatchable time to beat.

A rider in formal attire rides a brown horse draped in a winner’s blanket and medals at an outdoor equestrian arena.
Simon McCarthy & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Though it was the mare’s first Grand Prix effort back since returning from injury, she never missed a beat, McCarthy shared. “She had an injury about three-quarters of the way through last year, and she’s only been back jumping for two or three months. We’ve taken it very slowly. This was our first Grand Prix back and our first international week back, so I’m obviously thrilled with how she jumped.”

“I wasn’t entirely sure how she was going to be in the jump-off because she hadn’t done one yet this year, but the feeling from fence one to two was unbelievable. She was so game that I just let her go and do her thing. She’s seasoned enough now, she’s jumped all over the world, and she’s an incredible partner to have,” McCarthy said with a smile.

A rider on horseback holds a ribbon, flanked by two people, one holding a large check and the other a saddle pad, in front of an IDA Development sign at an outdoor event.
Simon McCarthy & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof in the winner’s circle presented by IDA Development. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Course designer Cruz has proven to be something of a lucky charm for McCarthy, who has now secured three international Grand Prix victories over her tracks at both WEC venues. Reflecting on the first round, the Irish rider said, “The course rode really well. Everything was very related in that ring, and the line to the triple combination was quite difficult. I must have walked the seven- or eight-stride line four or five times before deciding on eight because I have a smaller stride, and that worked out for me. The oxer-to-oxer line to the last fence made it very scopey.”

As he returned first for the jump-off, the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare proved her speed, stopping the clock in a time the rest couldn’t catch at 35.98 seconds.

A rider on a brown horse jumps over a high red and white show jumping fence in an outdoor arena with trees and blue sky in the background.
Simon McCarthy & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“Going first, my plan was to do one-to-two in seven strides. I knew the length of stride I had, and if I could do that, I could match up all the other numbers. It was quite a galloping track, and while she’s very fast, she’s also very strong, so those types of tracks don’t always suit her. But because it was our first time going fast in so long, she wasn’t a complete runaway train today, which was quite nice,” McCarthy laughed. “She stayed right with me the whole way, and I am just very, very thankful to have her back.”

Additionally, McCarthy spoke about his experience showing at WEC – Wilmington. “What I love about Wilmington is, first, the schedule. The FEI classes go at 8 a.m., so I can come here, do the class, and be back home in Lexington to train and ride my other horses. There’s also an abundance of places to ride. You don’t normally get a horse show with this amount of space, and for a horse like Narcotique, who’s incredibly horse-shy, I think that’s why she jumps better here than almost anywhere else. I can give her plenty of space and time to warm up. Everybody here is super nice and generous, the prize money is good, and it’s just a relaxed, fun show.”

Equestrian rider and horse jump over an obstacle decorated with butterfly wings at an outdoor competition, with flags of various countries in the background.
Charlotte Bettendorf & Kalliope. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Luxembourg’s Charlotte Bettendorf secured another second-place finish aboard John Kimmel’s 10-year-old mare Kalliope (Emerald x Deister), producing a quick and clear effort in 36.95 seconds.

A rider on a white horse jumps over an obstacle labeled "SILVER HONEY" during an equestrian event on a sunny day.
David Cameron & Chriszi. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Australia’s David Cameron rounded out the top three with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chriszi (Christian 25 x Bockmann’s Lord Pezi), finishing in 37.80 seconds.

$65,000 IDA Development Grand Prix Results

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