Will Simpson and Keminko N Taste Victory in the $120,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3*
World Equestrian Center – Ocala buzzed with excitement for the first international grand prix of the 2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series, the $120,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3*. Saturday night’s field featured some of the world’s top equestrians, but it was 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson (USA) who captured a sweet victory aboard Keminko N, owned by Will Simpson Stables, Inc.
FEI Level III course designer Ben Townley (GBR) set intricate and challenging tracks that narrowed the field, allowing only seven of the 27 combinations to advance to the jump-off. The returning field was packed with talent, including rising star Delaney Flynn (USA), emerging talent Václav Staněk (CZE), Olympic Silver Medalist Kent Farrington (USA), ‘Master of Faster’ Richard Spooner (USA), Olympian Daniel Coyle (IRL), and veteran Jumping star Will Simpson.
Twenty-five-year-old Delaney Flynn impressively piloted both of her mounts into the jump-off. She was first to return aboard Cassinnia, delivering a quick 42.18-second round but suffering an unfortunate rail.
áclav Staněk followed with Ariel Grange’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding Quintin (Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion), delivering the first clear round and setting a swift pace at 37.60 seconds.
World No. 4 Kent Farrington entered the ring aboard Artisan Farms, LLC’s Kadans, blazing through the course in a blistering 36.30 seconds. However, a heartbreaking rail at the second-to-last fence kept him out of contention for the top spots.
Richard Spooner (USA) gave it his all with his new partner, Lyjanair, but also encountered a rail, finishing in 38.35 seconds. Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Farrel put forth a good effort, but also fell victim to rails down.