Lucas Porter and his 14-year-old mare Vigakata (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Stakkato) made a victorious return to the show ring, winning the CSI2* Speed on Thursday of Week 3 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
Porter (USA) had his 2025 WEF season cut short one year ago due to a serious shoulder injury. In August of 2025, he found his way back to the saddle after a significant amount of rest and rehabilitation. While on the sidelines, his recovery process has only pushed him to be stronger in and out of the saddle. “It’s a tough one to get back from, and it takes a lot of time to recover, but I’m super happy to be back,” Porter explained.
Over course designer Peter Grant’s (CAN) track, Porter secured the win in 71.62 seconds over runner-up Zoe Hank Conter of Germany. She took second place on Stephex Stables’ Melodie-K van’t Kattenheye, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, in 72.11 seconds. Alejandro Karolyi (VEN) closed out the podium in 74.27 seconds aboard Tempual LS for owner Wins Equestrian Group.
Initially bought as a seven-year-old by his family, Vigakata (Vigo D’Arsouilles STX) has been one of Porter’s mounts for the past three years after taking over the ride for his brother, Wilton. “She’s a lovely horse—scopey, reliable and overall, a good mare,” said Porter of the horse owned by Sleepy P Ranch BV.
Coming into the International Arena for the first time since last year, Porter had a solid plan. “I wanted to have a ride that was a bit handy. Not even that fast, but handy and tight,” he said. His careful thinking landed him in the winner’s circle for the first time with Vigakata.
“It worked out for me, and it sets us up well for Sunday,” Porter says of his plan to now focus on the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Grand Prix. “Vigakata will have two days of rest, I’ll work her a little bit on the flat to make sure she’s feeling good in her body, then she’ll go again on Sunday.
With plans to take the season day-by-day, Porter lets his horses dictate where they’ll go and what they’ll jump each week. “I’ll probably stay at the two-, three-star level, and if it goes higher than that, then great.” Porters stated. “My horses feel fresh and ready to go, but it’s a long season, and it’s only the beginning of the year. It’s important not to overdo it early on.”
Bertram Allen on point in WEF Challenge Cup Round 3
Earlier in the day, Irish Olympian Bertram Allen won the $116,000 Adequan® CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 riding Eddy Blue (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek TN x Chacco-Blue) for owner Carol Sollak.
On stage, Ansgar Holtgers Jr. followed aboard Pixel-K van 't Kattenheye ( I Am Moerhoeve's Star), while Shane Sweetnam completed the stage with Gilona AO (Zavall VDL).
