Superstar Gangster
At just ten, Gangster Montdesir has become Richard Vogel’s latest 1.60m weapon, arriving in Wellington with a world‑class record and the in form rider of the moment, (and former winner of the class), in the saddle.
On Thursday afternoon in the sun in Wellington, we watched for news as to which of the top 12 would come back to jump in the Round 2. Laura Kraut and Bisquetta would not be back. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie the same. These are going to be major contenders for the Saturday night final and it felt like a decision to save them. Richie Vogel had chosen Cloudio for the qualifier and he was coming back. He would go on to finish in second place and guarantee himself a late draw for Saturday. The decision to come back also meant something else, we are going to see a different horse on Saturday - and it is an absolute star.
The CSI5* Week 5, $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix here at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington went to Gangster Montdesir. They jumped double clear and stopped the clock in 42.65 seconds to win against a 715‑Elo field. Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted riders on the circuit, Vogel looks to have found his next superstar in Gangster, a 10‑year‑old who has already proven he belongs at the very top of the sport.
Why Richie is on such hot form
Over the past 12 months at 1.55–1.60m, Vogel and Gangster have multiple CSI5* victories and podiums across Lyon, Barcelona, Thermal, and Wellington, while consistently jumping clear in round one against high field strengths. At Lyon’s CSI5*-W Longines Grand Prix in October 2025, they delivered a double clear to win from a 49‑strong field, improving Vogel’s top‑level Elo from 590 to 649. That was the first major statement. They were second in the CSI5*-W Longines World Cup qualifier in Arcadia and then of course had the big win in Wellington. Rated 733, this horse is now in the top four 10 year old horses in the world.
Of course, United Touch S remains the big name in the stable. A couple of weeks ago they won the €1,000,000 Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters CSI5*, the first Major of the 2026 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, producing a blazing, clear jump‑off in 39.42 seconds.
The momentum carried straight to Florida. At World Equestrian Center – Ocala this past weekend, Vogel anchored Team Germany to victory in the $770,000 Longines League of Nations CSIO5*-LLN on Cloudio, delivering crucial clear rounds under maximum pressure as the last rider in the ring. He then capped the week by winning the $65,000 The Dutta Corp. Grand Prix CSI2* with Cardentos and adding podium finishes in the Winning Round class with Quizas van’t Hulsbos and Cardentos, turning Ocala into another multi‑horse, multi‑class statement of form.
Yesterday in Wellington he won on Michael Jackson and today, was second with Cloudio.
Already a Wellington winner with Gangster– and a former winner of the class with Cepano Baloubet. It will be no surprise if we see another German winner on Saturday night.
