Ocala, United States – January 08, 2026 – The $32,000 Grand Prix CSI U-25 sponsored by Forestier Sellier followed the Grand Prix Qualifier and welcomed 17 top U25 athletes to vie for top honors. After an exciting eight-horse jump-off, it was 21-year-old Carlee McCutcheon (USA) who surged to the win, piloting Purple Rein Investments’ Coco Mercedes (Chacco’s Son II x Florestan I) to a time nearly two seconds faster than the runner-up.

Course designer Ben Townley (GBR) once again set a flowing track that tested horse-and-rider combinations, with eight managing to produce clear efforts in the first round. The jump-off ultimately came down to an exciting showdown between the United States and Germany.

Laurel Walker (USA) was first to tackle the short course aboard her own Armani. She laid down a quick pace, but an unfortunate rail kept her out of the running for the top spot.

Germany’s Tony Stormanns (GER) followed with Rushy Marsh Farm’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, RMF Cinnamo (Magic Park x Avon). The 18-year-old athlete raced around the track and stopped the clock in an impressive 40.55 seconds.

Riding Brody Sporthorses’ Charlie PS (Contendros 2 x Chacco-Blue), 17-year-old crossed the timers in 42.00 seconds, slotting in just behind Stormanns to claim third place with the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare.

While several combinations tried to chase down Stormanns’ leading time, Carlee McCutcheon was last to go and poised to strike. Fresh off a speedy podium finish in Thursday morning’s Qualifier, she entered the ring determined to keep the momentum rolling with Coco Mercedes.

“My goal always with Coco is to keep up with her. She is way faster than I am, so I was just trying to slow her brain down and slow my brain down a bit because her pace is just so fast,” McCutcheon explained. “For me, I’m quite lucky because I jumped the CSI3* Qualifier this morning, and the first line was the same. I rode nine from one to two, then eight from two to three. She was super quick through the double, and then back on the last line, we left a stride out from the first round, and she was great.”

Stopping the clock in a blazing 38.75 seconds, McCutcheon (USA) and Coco Mercedes stormed to the top of the podium to secure the win.

McCutcheon spoke highly of the talented 13-year-old Westphalian mare. “We have been partnered together for about three years now. We know each other really well, so I have a lot of trust in her, and I think it goes both ways. She is such a speed horse, and she wants to win so badly—sometimes even too much,” she laughed. “Today I felt like she jumped amazing in the first round, and I thought I could take a shot in the jump-off, and she was great.”

Looking ahead, McCutcheon shared her excitement about spending the winter at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “I’m based here in Ocala for the winter, and I’m really looking forward to being here!”

She also reflected on her continued development as a professional rider. “I’m fortunate to ride in a program called ‘Road To The Top’, and it has changed and improved my life greatly. I aged out and turned professional, and have the opportunity to ride with Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton and their whole team. Being surrounded by people at the highest level of this sport has made me a better rider and better horsewoman as well.”

Final Results – $32,000 Grand Prix CSI U-25 sponsored by Forestier Sellier

1) Carlee McCutcheon (USA) & Coco Mercedes – 0 / 0 – 38.75

2) Tony Stormanns (GER) & RMF Cinnamo – 0 / 0 –

3) Emma Brody (USA) & Charlie PS – 0 / 0 – 42.00

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Link