Carlee McCutcheon Scores First Three-Star Win Aboard Aralyn Blue in the $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI 3*

By Jumper News on 2026-01-11

Ocala, United States – January 10, 2026 – Spectators and exhibitors alike gathered at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) for the first international Grand Prix of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series. The $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI 3* welcomed a field of the world’s best, but in the end, it was the youngest athlete in the class who rose to the occasion. Twenty-year-old Carlee McCutcheon (USA) claimed her first three-star grand prix victory, piloting Road To The Top’s Aralyn Blue (Chacco-blue x Ludwigs As) to the top of the podium.

Great Britain’s Ben Townley, an FEI Level III course designer, set the track for Saturday night’s feature class. Eight horse-and-rider combinations produced clear rounds to advance to the jump-off.

Ireland’s Robert Blanchette (IRL) was first to return aboard Chardonnay, stopping the clock in 37.49 seconds, but an unfortunate rail kept them from the lead.

**Sharn Wordley** (NZL) & **Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z**

Sharn Wordley (NZL) followed with Della Wordley’s Brin d’Or De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet). Wordley and the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding delivered a strong effort, racing around the short course to post a clear round in 38.31 seconds.

Carly Campbell Cooper (CAN) and U2 Westleven Z gave it a valiant effort, but four faults would ultimately keep them out of contention.

The second-youngest athlete in the field, Francis Derwin (IRL), was the only other rider to produce a clear jump-off round. Aboard Kerry Anne LLC’s Flexi K (Flex A Bill x Luidam), Derwin guided the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding to a fast clear in 37.04 seconds, securing second place.

**Carlee McCutcheon** (USA) & **Aralyn Blue**

McCutcheon was next to go with Aralyn Blue, looking to cap off an already impressive week. Earlier, she earned a third-place finish in Thursday’s CSI3* Grand Prix Qualifier with Aralyn Blue, and later that same day captured the CSIU25 Grand Prix win aboard her second mount, Coco Mercedes.

McCutcheon entered the jump-off with a clear strategy, aiming to use the 14-year-old Oldenburg mare’s powerful stride to her advantage. “Her stride is so massive, so I always make a tentative plan knowing that there might always be one less. From one to two, I kind of changed my mind a bit. She jumped so high over the second jump, so I knew I had to push throughout the rest of the jump-off. Her stride is so massive, so I think I was able to leave a stride out pretty much the rest of the way around after that,” she explained.

Their clear effort in 36.93 seconds proved uncatchable, marking another milestone victory for McCutcheon and Aralyn Blue.

McCutcheon spoke highly of the talented mare. “She is without a doubt the most talented horse I’ve ever had the opportunity to ride. Ann Thompson and Jess Colins gave me the opportunity to ride her last winter in Wellington, and it was a no-brainer. There’s not enough that I can say to thank Ann and Jess; she’s completely changed my life.”

She continued by reflecting on her journey with Aralyn Blue over the past year. “I jumped her in the U25 series last year in Wellington. She gave me the opportunity to jump my first three-star, we were second in the U25 Final; she gave me my first two-star Grand Prix win, and tonight, my first three-star Grand Prix win, as well as my first senior Nations Cup™ experience. She holds a very special place in my heart, and I’m just forever grateful for her and to Ann Thompson for having this be a reality for me.”

She also expressed her gratitude for being part of the Road To The Top program. “The opportunity to have this ride and ride in the Road To The Top program and the team with Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut gives me such a sense of confidence that I can’t even describe. The whole support system with Road To The Top, I would not be here today without it. What Laura Kraut and Katie Prudent have done for a young rider like me, I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for this team that makes nights like these possible. Having the support of my parents and my family, who want this for me just as much as I do, makes me love the horses and this sport even more.”

National Grand Prix action continues on Sunday, January 11, at 12:15pm with the $40,000 The Polo Pony National Grand Prix. International competition resumes next week, with CSI4* and CSI2* action beginning Wednesday, January 14.