Nina Mallevaey Back on Top in the $62,500 Hermès Prize CSI 5* at Wellington International

By Jumper News on 2026-02-24

Wellington, United States – February 22, 2026 – Ranked No. 8 in the world, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) made a mad dash to claim victory in Sunday’s $62,500 Hermès Prize CSI 5* – 1.50m with Destine To Be, a 10-year-old Anglo European-bred gelding, to close out Week 7 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 at Wellington International in Wellington, Florida, United States.

**Nina Mallevaey** (FRA) & **Destine To Be**

With a fast footfall, Destine To Be (Diamant De Semilly x Grandilot) posted a time of 46.97 seconds, which was impossible to beat in the second round, where the top 12 returned with faults carrying forward.

**Darragh Kenny** (IRL) & **Colibelle Hero Z**

Knocked down to second place in 48.92 seconds was Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny (IRL), riding Colibelle Hero Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide mare for owner Elena A. Haas.

**Christian Kukuk** (GER) & **Akarad Tivoli Z**

Rounding out the podium was German Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk (GER) riding his own Akarad Tivoli Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding. They stopped the clock at 50.93 seconds for third.

Cruising through Anthony d’Ambrosio’s (USA) second-round track, Mallevaey made use of her gelding’s speed and trust in his rider. “I was planning to do one less [stride] after the double vertical, and one less on the two to three. I didn’t get there, but he’s so fast on the ground, I could add a stride and keep the rhythm,” said the 26-year-old reigning French National Champion. “He’s so careful and has a lot of scope. I trust him, and I can ask him anything now that he trusts me.”

Destine To Be was purchased by the Rein Family as an 8-year-old, and Mallevaey spoke on the gelding’s abilities within the arena, saying, “I think he has a lot of quality.  He’s a bit hard to manage sometimes; he has a lot of blood, but he’s been amazing so far, and I think he’s going to win even more classes in the future.”

From breaking into the world’s top 10 to jumping onto a five-star grand prix podium, Mallevaey is having a banner year, saying, “It’s been amazing. I’m living the dream and I have amazing horses and amazing people around me.”