Wellington, United States – January 23, 2026 – Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) has been one of the most consistent riders competing at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International. After piloting Pixel-K van’T Kattenheye towards a second place finish in the $116,100 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup – Round III CSI 4*, the American repeated the feat in the $32,000 Defiant Whisky Speed CSI 4* the following day.

Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) was tight on the heels of the winning duo aboard Kantibes, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Hunters Scendro, in 67.14 seconds.

Less than a second separated the podium finishers. Lillie Keenan (USA) stopped the clock at 67.48 seconds to finish third on Chansonette Farm’s Chagrin d’Amour, a 9-year-old French-bred stallion. 

Final Results – $32,000 Defiant Whisky Speed CSI 4*

1) Bertram Allen (IRL) & Zero K – 0 – 66.42

2) Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) & Kantibes – 0 – 67.14

3) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Chagrin d’Amour – 0 – 67.48

Source: Press Release (edited) from Wellington International

Photos: © Wellington International / Cassidy Klein

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