Tracy Fenney Saves the Best for Last in the $50,000 Alltech Grand Prix

By Jumper News USA on August 4, 2026

Ocala, Florida – August 02, 2026 – The $50,000 Alltech American Standard Grand Prix closed out feature competition during Week VIII of the 2026 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). Twenty-five horse-and-rider combinations contested the final feature class of the week, but it was Tracy Fenney (USA) who claimed the victory as the last to return aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie).

Catsy Cruz (MEX) once again designed the tracks in the WEC Grand Arena, and the course proved challenging, with only five combinations staying within the tight time allowed and leaving every rail in place to advance to the jump-off.

Samuel Parot (CHI) was first to return, piloting his own 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Top Gun Z (Tobago Z x Jugana) to a blazing clear round in 39.181 seconds to set the early standard.

**Lauren Balcomb** (AUS) & **Verdini d’Houtveld Z**

Several riders chased the benchmark, but Lauren Balcomb (AUS) came the closest aboard her own 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding Verdini d’Houtveld Z (Verdi TN x Laska III), stopping the clock in a clear 41.764 seconds to move into second.

Fenney was the final rider to return after an unlucky rail with her first mount, MTM Can Talk To Me, kept her from challenging the lead. Back aboard her longtime partner, MTM Apple, she knew the seasoned mare had the speed to get the job done.

“I know how fast Apple is, and she can do all of the tight angles. I figured I could have the time as long as I didn’t knock something down. She’s just so fast and so seasoned.”

The pair delivered exactly that, slicing nearly two seconds off Parot’s time to stop the clock in 37.357 seconds, securing Fenney’s eighth Grand Prix victory of the 2026 Summer Series.

Fenney was emotional after another standout performance with the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare. “It just makes me want to cry how hard she tries for me.”

The victory added to what has already been an incredible Summer Series for Fenney, who has topped the leaderboard in both the jumper and hunter rings throughout the circuit. She credited her success to having a larger string of horses and spending more time in the ring.

“I think just because I have more horses, and I’m just in the ring more. I am seeing bigger jumps every day; it’s not just that pressure of the one class on one day. The same with the hunters; I’m just getting to ride so many more. It’s really a good thing for me, and the horses have been just unbelievable.”