Hilary McNerney and Corlando Cruise to a Blue in Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix
Hilary McNerney & Corlando. Photo ©Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – February 9, 2026 — Hilary McNerney (USA) and her own Corlando took top honors in the $62,500 Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Grand Prix on Sunday to close out the fifth week of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
With previous podium finishes coming this season, McNerney has been chasing a blue ribbon, and it finally came when she bested the 13 other jump-off contenders over 2024 Paris Olympic Games course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track. McNerney stopped the clock at 35.25, with Juan Manuel Gallego (ESP) right behind her on Leoro Horse Sales’s Oriana Van’t Ruytershof, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, at 36.52 seconds.
Completing the podium at 36.87 seconds was USA’s Alison Robitaille aboard her own Claire De Lune 33, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare by Clarimo Ask.
“The wins don’t come easy in this sport, but they are worth it. I felt like we grew from our last jump-off, and our turns were much better. I was proud of him for staying with me the whole time,” said the Florida native.
Adult Equitation Highlights Final Day of WEF 5
Adult Equitation made an appearance in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Sunday afternoon during Week 5 of WEF with Brenden Weiss of Havenport, MA and Monaco Optimus taking the tricolor in the Ariat National Adult Medal.
Riding Monaco Optimus, owned by Maria Fernanda Gonzalez Jubiz, for the first time, Weiss scored a total of 89.1. Weiss was in fourth place after the over-fences round and made his way to the top by making use of an inside turn during the test.
“I did my best — you never know what’s going to happen or how it’s going to shake out. I’m honestly looking to have some fun, but a blue ribbon doesn’t hurt,” stated Weiss, who trains with his trainer Kim Buzby, of his goals for the season after claiming the THIS NHS Adult Equitation Championship in 2025.
Outside of the saddle, Weiss juggles a full-time career in medical device sales. He travels to Wellington a few times during the season to compete on weekends.
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