Darnell Dances to Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* Win, Batchelder and Nova Are Super in Special at 2026 WEC March Dressage CDI3*
Highlight classes on Saturday, March 7, 2026, of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) March Dressage CDI3* presented by Hampton Green Farms at WEC – Ocala included the Grand Prix Special CDI3*, captured by Nora Batchelder (USA) and Nova, owned by Carol Glover, and the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, won by Claire Darnell (USA) and her own Harrold S.
With a score of 74.315%, Darnell and Harrold S scored two wins in a row. Darnell was pleased with her performance in the freestyle despite it being the first time she has ridden it all the way through after making changes to the choreography to increase the degree of difficulty.
“I didn’t even practice it at home,” she admitted. “I made my own music, so I know it very well and exactly where I should be at any point. I listened to it a couple times on the drive up and today, visualizing where I should be in the ring. It doesn’t bother him to be asked something new; he’s good with change.”
Darnell and Harrold danced to music from “The Hunger Games” movie score, which begins with the statement of “May the odds be ever in your favor,” which informs judges who may not recognize the music of its source.
“He’s so powerful that the music really enhances that,” said Darnell of the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Vivaldi x Fidermark. “For as powerful as the music is, it’s also quite elegant. It brings out the highlights and is a good fit for him.”
Second place with 70.390% were Leonardo Antonio Godoy (ARG) and Marques Do Lis, a 10-year-old Lusitano stallion by Fabuloso Do Lis x Spartacus owned by Cristina Balcarce. With a third score over 70%, Charlotte Osborne (GBR) and Fruhlingszauber, an 18-year-old Austrian Warmblood gelding by Fortino x Rubinstein I owned by Lisa Carol, finished third on 70.340%.
The freestyle was a qualifier for the US Open of Dressage, which is in its second season. The final takes place in November in California.
Nora Batchelder (USA) and Nova scored a personal best of 68.255% to win the Grand Prix Special CDI3*. It was an improvement on their second-place finish in Friday’s Grand Prix class, which Batchelder felt was solid despite Nova being worried in her stall prior to the class due to a storm rolling in.
“Tonight though, she felt chill and relaxed,” said Batchelder of the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare by Grand Galaxy Win T x Blue Hors Romanov. “I felt like I could really ride her in the ring. She has a gorgeous piaffe, and we’re just scratching the surface in the test. She’s such a talented horse and has such a high ceiling. She’s getting stronger and more confident with grand prix work. It was very exciting.”
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