Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) exited the International Arena following his second FEI win of the week Friday with the words, “When you’re on, you’re just on.” The Olympian topped the podium yet again during week one of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), this time aboard Santana in the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m Speed. WEF, which features 12 weeks of FEI competition, continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
“It feels amazing,” Teran said of going two-for-two in international competition so far. “To win here is super exciting and two wins here is fantastic. When you have a good week, usually it keeps going like that."
Going early in the order of 48 entries, Teran chose a forward pace and tidy path around Nick Granat’s (USA) speed course. His time of 58.73 seconds remained unmatched, with Lillie Keenan (USA) just barely scoring second aboard Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN (Kannan GFE x Nabab de Reve), owned by Chansonette Farm. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar claimed third with Dorado de Riverland (Untouchable M x Argentinus), owned by Evergate Stables.
Teran has been piloting Santana, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello x Carthago) owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm, since the winter of 2022. He’s felt progression each year, recognizing the horse is prepared for a higher level of competition.
“He’s always been very talented, but a little too full of energy,” Teran said of Santana. “I think he’s finally mentally ready to be more consistent. He was always brave and good but he had his ups and downs. Since the summer he’s been very consistent.”
Teran’s plan for the season is to step Santana up into higher-level ranking classes, allowing him to space out his top horses’ schedules to produce the best possible results. So far, Santana understands the assignment.
With an eye on the 2026 FEI World Championship in Aachen, Germany, as his next major goal, Teran appreciates the competitive environment Wellington International provides him every year to prepare both himself and his horses for significant career opportunities.
“This circuit is really challenging for any horse and rider combination,” he continued. “You take it one week at a time because all the best horses and riders in the world are here. That’s why any win here is so meaningful. It’s great preparation for anywhere in the world. After this you can go to any show in the world and be ready to compete, not just show up.”
If Teran’s hard work pays off and he earns that ticket to Aachen for 2026, he’ll be beyond proud of the achievement. “If I can represent my country there and hopefully do a good job that will be amazing for my career and my life,” he concluded.
“It feels amazing,” Teran said of going two-for-two in international competition so far. “To win here is super exciting and two wins here is fantastic. When you have a good week, usually it keeps going like that."
Going early in the order of 48 entries, Teran chose a forward pace and tidy path around Nick Granat’s (USA) speed course. His time of 58.73 seconds remained unmatched, with Lillie Keenan (USA) just barely scoring second aboard Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN (Kannan GFE x Nabab de Reve), owned by Chansonette Farm. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar claimed third with Dorado de Riverland (Untouchable M x Argentinus), owned by Evergate Stables.
Teran has been piloting Santana, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello x Carthago) owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm, since the winter of 2022. He’s felt progression each year, recognizing the horse is prepared for a higher level of competition.
“He’s always been very talented, but a little too full of energy,” Teran said of Santana. “I think he’s finally mentally ready to be more consistent. He was always brave and good but he had his ups and downs. Since the summer he’s been very consistent.”
Teran’s plan for the season is to step Santana up into higher-level ranking classes, allowing him to space out his top horses’ schedules to produce the best possible results. So far, Santana understands the assignment.
With an eye on the 2026 FEI World Championship in Aachen, Germany, as his next major goal, Teran appreciates the competitive environment Wellington International provides him every year to prepare both himself and his horses for significant career opportunities.
“This circuit is really challenging for any horse and rider combination,” he continued. “You take it one week at a time because all the best horses and riders in the world are here. That’s why any win here is so meaningful. It’s great preparation for anywhere in the world. After this you can go to any show in the world and be ready to compete, not just show up.”
If Teran’s hard work pays off and he earns that ticket to Aachen for 2026, he’ll be beyond proud of the achievement. “If I can represent my country there and hopefully do a good job that will be amazing for my career and my life,” he concluded.