Making a Habit of Winning at WEF

The US Equestrian Open continues to highlight standout performances from the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), and this year’s roster of multiple international winners is packed with talent from around the world. A total of 22 riders have already picked up multiple international wins during this season of WEF in Wellington. Just two of those are quadruple winners.

Leaders of the Pack

Two riders have risen to the very top of the leaderboard with four international wins each: Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Richard Vogel (GER). Their performances across a variety of classes demonstrate versatility and consistency and show great form to start off the 2025 season.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal has been in exceptional form, securing three victories aboard the ever-reliable Belle De Muze in the CSI 5* and CSI 4* 1.45m Wednesday classes. His fourth win came in the CSI 3* 1.50m Classic with Scarlett Du Sart Z.

Richard Vogel has also claimed four victories, splitting his success between two horses: Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos and Cydello. Vogel’s results include back-to-back Wednesday wins with Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos and Grand Prix triumphs aboard Cydello, demonstrating his mastery across mid-week classes and high-pressure weekend finales.

The Triple Winners

A total of 5 riders are already triple international winners at WEF.

The most notable of those is undoubtedly Kent Farrington, who picked up back-to-back five-star Grand Prix victories aboard Greya during WEF 5 and WEF 7, and also won the 1.50m Classic on the 9-year-old Grass de Mars during WEF 7. His ability to deliver on both experienced and developing horses underlines why he remains a force at the very top level.

McLain Ward continues to be a pillar of consistency, bringing his trademark precision to Winter Equestrian Festival. His 3 international victories of 2025 have brought his tally of international wins at WEF since 2010 to 60, making him the most prominent winner of WEF in the last decade.
Also World #1, Henrik von Eckermann has proven that his brilliance extends to the Florida circuit with three strong wins, all aboard Glamour Girl.

The Double Winners

A further 18 riders have already posted multiple international wins at WEF 2025, a testament to the depth of talent on display. Familiar names like Ben Maher, Darragh Kenny, and Jessica Springsteen are joined by rising stars including Ireland’s Tom Wachman and Tim Brennan, and the USA’s Michael Murphy and Zayna Rizvi.

The early part of the season has already offered drama, excitement, and remarkable performances—and with riders fine-tuning their peak form, fans can expect even more fireworks in the weeks ahead.

About the Series
Born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023, the US Equestrian Open aims to grow the sport's awareness, exposure, and fan engagement. With $1 million in prize money and extensive media coverage on ESPN and the USEF Network, this series is designed to:

• Provide a structured, prestigious championship format.
• Attract a broader audience.
• Enhance competition opportunities for athletes.

Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.

For sponsorship and media inquiries, please contact:

Carly Weilminster: cweilminster@usef.org
Layson Griffin: lgriffin@usef.org