Wellington, Fla. – February 20, 2026—German dressage megastar Isabell Werth stamped her own brand of riding magic on the Zen Elite Equestrian FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, producing a mesmerizing 82.66% performance. She and Special Blend 3 were making their CDI freestyle debut during the ‘Friday Night Stars’ sold-out evening showcase at the 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, Florida. 

Flipping the second and third places from the qualifying grand prix class, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu landed the runner-up spot with a massive new personal best on Jill Irving’s 12-year-old, Jaccardo. The Desperado x Jazz gelding scored 79.25% with a high-energy, maximum throttle performance. Ecuadorian rider Julio Mendoza Loor finished third, meaning the top three athletes represented three different continents. Mendoza Loor rode his 2024 Paris Olympics mount Jewel’s Goldstrike to 78.165%. Riders from six different nations filled the top six places in the high-scoring class. 

Victory for Werth and Special Blend 3

Special Blend 3, who is still registered to former owner Helgstrand Dressage but was recently sold to Werth’s student Natalie Stickling-Morzynski, belied his inexperience in the freestyle, dancing enthusiastically to a classical compilation originally designed for Werth’s Olympic team gold medal-winning horse, Emilio. Special Blend only got the call-up to fly to Florida a few days before the show after Werth’s intended horse, DSP Quantaz, got a small swelling on one leg. 

“This freestyle is really, really difficult and I was not sure what Special would do because he’s not experienced in these kinds of atmospheres, but he was very focused,” said Werth, who was delighted to hear 2,000 spectators clapping along to her final centerline. “This crowd was so supportive and started to clap, which is something special. That end to a test is a feeling I really enjoy, and it’s how you know why you’re still in the saddle in a competition.”

Werth’s test showcased a full piaffe pirouette right after the entry halt and 22 one-time changes on a curving line between canter pirouettes. It was a masterclass in her signature fusion of extreme technical difficulty and jaw-dropping ease of execution. Hundreds of people were filming her performance on their phones, and then showed their appreciation with a standing ovation. 

“I’d like to thank the show team because it was pretty impressive here,” continued the seven-time Olympian, who last competed in Wellington a decade and a half ago. “I didn’t expect that it would be like this. There’s a huge improvement in the whole environment here—the horses, the riding—which is great to see. We have to make dressage more global and for sure here there is a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which I love to see and be a part of. I’m pretty sure that I’ll come back next year.”

Werth earned week seven’s Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award, sponsored by Frank & Eileen. The senior show groom from her barn in Rheinberg, Germany, Steffi Wiegard, scooped the groom’s award, presented by The Horse of Course.

Runner-up Result for Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo

Fraser-Beaulieu entered the arena on a mission to finish as the highest-placed rider in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ – North American League in her quest to qualify for the Final in Texas in April—and achieved it with aplomb. She punched the air in delight on completion of her Britney Spears-themed freestyle put together by Tom Hunt. 

“I couldn’t leave anything hanging because I had a lot on the line,” said Fraser-Beaulieu, who trains with Ashley Holzer. “This was Jac’s first Friday night, and he’d never been into an atmosphere like this, so I was a bit nervous because there were so many people, but he came into the arena and was like, ‘Let’s go!’. He was on my aids the whole time.”

Last-minute tweaks to her floorplan added to Fraser-Beaulieu’s apprehension, but the test came together beautifully, with 16 one-time changes down the centerline and piaffe between the two walk sections. 

“This was the first time I actually went through the newer pattern,” she admitted. “I just wanted to be on my music, mistake-free and show power. I think I accomplished that today. Jill and Ashley insisted on the Britney [Spears] music, and I was a little shy about it at first, but everybody seems to like it, and the crowd gets involved.”  

Third Place Goes to Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike

Mendoza Loor—who became the first dressage rider ever to represent Ecuador at the Olympics in 2024—wiped away a tear and pointed down at Jewel’s Goldstrike in gratitude after his final halt. 

“Riding ‘Goldie’ is a joy every time,” said the rider from Columbus, North Carolina, who co-owns the Bretton Woods 15-year-old gelding with his wife Jessica Mendoza. “I paid $20 for this horse, and he’s taken me to the Olympics, taken me here—and every time he gives me 100%. He never lets me down, and that’s why I cry all the time because this horse has made me who I am. There aren’t enough words to explain how good he is and how much I love him.”

The freestyle class doubled as a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage series, now in its second season. This year, it features 24 qualifiers—seven of which are at AGDF—before the final in California in November. Team Prac trainer Christian Simonson (USA) remains top of the standings with 40 points, and Fraser-Beaulieu is now sitting in second with 35. Great Britain’s Susan Pape is third with 32. Pape is also atop the standings in the Leading International Freestyle Rider rankings, presented by Stillpoint Dressage. 

A Special Showcase

Alongside the competitive dressage—the second of three World Cup™ qualifiers on the 2026 AGDF calendar—the team of Zen Elite Equestrian riders presented a stallion showcase featuring My Vitality, One Million, Zaunkönig, Fortunato H2O OLD, Rosebank VH, Fleau De Baian, and the pony Branley Ash Nautilus. There was also a music concert by Grammy Award-winning artist, Lady A. 

Heidi Humphries, owner of Zen Elite Equestrian, said, “On behalf of the entire Zen Elite Equestrian family, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has come out to support such an incredible week of top sport at AGDF. From the riders and owners to the grooms, sponsors, organizers, and passionate fans in the stands, your energy made this evening a truly unforgettable one. Congratulations to Isabell and all the other competitors for delivering a beautiful night of top sport under the lights.”

Click for full results from the Zen Elite Equestrian FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle. 

Thanks to Zoetis for our coverage of the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, photos and more.