Ocala, United States – March 20, 2026 – The United States was back on the podium in the $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Winning Round CSIO 5* held on Friday, March 20, as part of the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.

Held in a format that saw the top 10 riders from the opening round return for the “winning round,” jumping clear didn’t automatically guarantee qualification. Twelve clear rounds had already been posted by the mid-way break, and another five went clear in the second half, making time the determining factor over the track set by Irish course designer Alan Wade (IRL).

The top 10 came forward based on reverse order of standing in the opening round.

Hunter Holloway (USA), a frequent competitor at WEC, had the advantage of going last and came the closest to catching Rene Dittmer (GER). Leaving all the rails in place, Holloway pushed Pepita Con Spita through the timers, but her slower time of 38.27 seconds left her in second place with the 15-year-old Westphalian mare (DSP Con Spirit x Come On) owned by Hays Investment Corp.

It was a true international podium with Dittmer taking the win for Germany, Holloway flying the American flag in second, and Demonte claiming third for France.

After its riders won both the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5-LLN and the $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Winning Round CSIO5-LLN, Germany remains favored to win Saturday’s $770,000 Longines League of Nations™ Ocala team competition. Victory will not come easily as the U.S. team riders would love nothing more than to defend their title on home soil in front of a sold-out crowd. Natalie Dean, Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, and Aaron Vale will face off against teams from Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland when the first of two rounds gets underway at 5:15 p.m. E.T. (Eastern Time – New York).

Ocala serves as the second of five stops on the prestigious Longines League of Nations™ tour and is the only event held in North America. Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), Rotterdam (NED), and Gassin – St. Tropez (FRA) comprise the Longines League of Nations™ series leading up to the final in Barcelona (ESP) from October 1 to 4, 2026.

Final Results – $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Winning Round CSIO 5*

1) Rene Dittmer (GER) & Cody 139 – 0 / 0 – 38.89

2) Hunter Holloway (USA) & Pepita Con Spita – 0 / 0 – 38.27

3) Marie Demonte (FRA) & Epona du Quesnoy – 0 / 0 – 37.53

Source: Press Release from Jump Media for World Equestrian Center – Ocala

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Link