ATHLONE’S Francis Derwin finished a close second in the $120,000 three-star 1.50m Grand Prix at Ocala, Florida on Saturday, when he rode the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Flexi K (Flex A Bill x Deeply Dippy K by Luidam), bred by Knightfield Stud, to a double clear round in a jump-off time of 37.04 seconds. American winner Carlee McCutcheon and Aralyn Blue stopped the clock a mere 0.11 seconds faster (36.93) to claim the top spot and the $36,000 first prize.

Derwin claimed $24,000 for second place, while New Zealand’s Sharn L Wordley on Brin D’Or De Haute Melen Z completed the podium with the third (and only other) double clear for $18,000. The Irish performed well in the class, with Robert Blanchette on Chardonnay placing fifth and Derry’s Daniel Coyle on Farrel finishing eighth.

Good start

The 2026 Winter Spectacular Show series got off to a good start at the World Equestrian Center, Ocala, Florida last week with Coyle placing third with the 16-year-old gelding Farrel (Cardento 933 x Stakkato), owned by Ariel Grange, in the $1,000 three-star 1.40m two-phase class, with one of only three double clear rounds in the class.

Blanchette and Chardonnay went one better to record a runner-up finish in the $32,000 three-star 1.45m speed class, while Derwin wasn’t far behind with Flexi K in fourth place.

Thursday’s 24-strong $62,500 three-star 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier saw Coyle and Farrel take the runner-up spot when double clear in a jump-off time of 35.66, just behind the winner Kent Farrington (USA) on Orafina (34.47), while Francis Derwin and Flexi K placed fourth (36.26).

Darragh Kerins secured a few minor placings in the day’s 1.35m, 1.40m and 1.45m classes.

Sunday saw Kerins ride Lissino into second place in the $40,000 1.45m WEC Grand Prix, when they jumped double clear in a jump-off time of 35.99. Tracy Fenney on MTM Myrbalia O took the win less than half a second ahead (35.53) to claim the $12,000 first prize. Kerins won $8,800 for his runner-up finish.

Kerins concluded the show with another podium placing, riding VDL Markies De La Fayette into third place in the $15,000 1.40m Jumper Classic with one of only three double clears in the class.