Lucas Porter Makes His Return with Vigakata at Wellington International

Lucas Porter & Vigakata. Photo ©Sportfot 

Wellington, Fla. – January 22, 2026 — Lucas Porter and his 14-year-old mare Vigakata made a victorious return to the show ring, winning the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Speed on Thursday of Week 3 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

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.

Brady Mitchell Takes the Blue in Antarès Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunters

Canada’s Brady Mitchell and Ca Renard du Rouet started their partnership off with a champion tricolor in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter ring on Thursday during WEF Week 3. With scores of 90, 92, and two 94s, they swept the over fences events and topped the Antarès Sellier France 3’3” Green Hunter division.

“It’s only our third week of having him in the stable, and I couldn’t be happier,” Mitchell said of the 8-year-old son of Balou du Rouet owned by Float On Equestrian. “When I first got down here, my stomach flipped over when I saw him for the first time. I knew we had to have him, so we purchased him.”

With a passion for riding young, green horses, Mitchell explains that his method for getting these horses to shine in the show ring is patience. “I try to not make anything a big deal, and oftentimes, patience is the fastest way.”

With a stacked deck in his back pocket, Mitchell — hailing from Port Perry, ON, but based out of Wellington, FL — is aiming for consistent rounds in the 3’3” greens with a potential move up to the 3’6” Green Hunters if all goes well with Ca Renard Du Rouet. “I am the luckiest guy in town. I have depth in my string, and I think we’ll be happy when they are all out and going.”

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