TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published March 9, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue captured their first five-star Grand Prix victory together in a nail-biting jump-off at Wellington, while the circuit prepares for WEF 10 CSI4* action.
What Happened
The 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is reaching its peak at Wellington International. The highlight of WEF 9 was the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix, where Irish rider Darragh Kenny secured a major career milestone. Riding the 14-year-old gelding Eddy Blue, owned by Carol Sollak, Kenny won the jump-off in 41.77 seconds. This victory marked Eddy Blue's first CSI5* Grand Prix title, a horse Kenny has partnered with for three and a half years. Marilyn Little on La Contessa and Thaisa Erwin on Hialita B tied for second place, both clocking 41.92 seconds, just 0.15 seconds behind Kenny.
In other WEF 9 results, Mark Bluman and Ubiluc claimed the $62,500 Hermès CSI5* 1.50m Classic by a narrow 0.03-second margin. Sydney Shulman Desiderio and Max Van De Marijenhoeve clinched the $62,500 Coastal Steel Structures Grand Prix CSI2* as the final pair in the jump-off.
Why It Matters
WEF 9 results highlight the extremely slim margins defining elite show jumping. A tied second place in a five-star Grand Prix and wins decided by hundredths of a second demonstrate the high level of competition at Wellington International, pushing horse-and-rider combinations to their limits.
For Darragh Kenny, the win validated years of patience with Eddy Blue. Kenny noted the horse had been placed in many 5* Grand Prixes, and this victory was "really deserving." This reinforces the importance of long-term partnerships, showing that even at age 14, a consistent horse can achieve new heights.
As WEF transitions to WEF 10 (March 10, 15), exhibitors are in the "home stretch" of the winter circuit. The upcoming week features CSI4* competition sponsored by Horseware Ireland, offering riders more opportunities for world ranking points and prize money before the season concludes.
Discipline Context
The impact of these results is primarily felt in the Jumper and High-Performance sectors, influencing FEI World Rankings and selection for international championships. Wellington International also celebrated International Women’s Day during the week, highlighting female role models from Olympians to barn-aisle mentors across the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.