The $125,000 Mane ‘n Tail National Grand Prix during the penultimate week of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series offered a change of scenery. The WEC Stadium served as the feature arena of the week, welcoming thirty-five top horse-and-rider combinations to compete for top honors under the lights on Saturday night. In a nail-biting five-horse jump-off, it was Jelmer Hoekstra (NED) who proved too quick to catch aboard November Hill’s Jalanne (Dynamo x Alanne).
The 1.50m track was designed by Eric Hasbrouck and proved challenging, featuring winding bending lines and a tight time allowed. In the end, five combinations representing the Netherlands, the United States, Germany, and Ireland advanced to battle it out for the win.
Hoekstra was the first to return for the jump-off aboard the speedy Jalanne, who scored a National Grand Prix victory during last year’s Winter Spectacular Show Series with Daniel Geitner. Saturday night marked Hoekstra and Jalanne’s first Grand Prix under the lights together.
“Jalanne, I just started riding her during the circuit here. Daniel Geitner rode her before me,” shared Hoekstra. “She’s an amazing mare, such a fighter, like you could see tonight, she always wants to do the best she can. It’s an amazing horse, and I’m lucky that I can ride her. The owner, Rebecca Galbraith, is fantastic, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.”
Returning first for the jump-off with a strong field behind him, Hoekstra knew he had to take risks. “With riders behind me like Tracy Fenney and Daniel Coyle, they’re really fast, so I knew I had to do something,” he explained.
“In the first line, I did one more than the others and went and did eight so I could keep flowing to the oxer. I made a short turn and did nine, then bent really tight to the double. I think I did one less than most people there, and she jumped it fantastic. To the last line, I think Daniel and I were the only ones who did eight, and we landed running to the finish.”
The pair stopped the clock in 39.481 seconds, a time that ultimately proved uncatchable.
The victory marked Hoekstra’s first Grand Prix win at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “It means a lot. The stadium is different from the [WEC Grand Arena], and showing here under the lights is special. It’s a blessing for us.”
Hoekstra also credited Geitner for helping him develop his partnership with the talented mare. “Daniel helped me a lot. Even now in schooling, he’s giving me tips all the time. When we walk the course, he’ll help with decisions like doing one more or one less stride. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have this victory.”
Hoekstra now has his sights set on next week’s Longines League of Nations™ Ocala, where he will represent the Netherlands in the prestigious team competition for the first time. “The atmosphere is special. When you ride in a team format, it adds a different level of excitement. It’s a real team effort,” he said. “When your teammates are in the ring, you’re standing there hoping they do well, so it’s really exciting.”
Ireland’s Daniel Coyle finished just behind the winning pair, piloting Ariel Grange’s Calippo 57 (Casallco x Fanny) in the talented 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s first night class. The pair stopped the clock just over a second behind the leaders in 40.519 seconds to claim second place.
Kady Abrahamson (USA) rounded out the podium with Foxridge Farms Stables’ 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z (Catoki x Cybelle v’t Heuvelland Z), posting a speedy jump-off time of 40.817 seconds to secure third.
