Mimi Gochman and Iron Maiden Crowned Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala Champions
Ocala, Florida – Twenty-two-year-old rising star Mimi Gochman (USA) delivered the defining performance of her young career on Saturday, February 14, 2026, claiming victory in the $300,000 CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala, presented by MARS Equestrian, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.
Partnered with the 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding Iron Maiden, Gochman captured her first five-star win and first World Cup victory, outperforming Olympic veterans Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) and Cian O’Connor (IRL) in a high-calibre field.
Designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral, the technical track saw only four of the 38 starters advance to the jump-off, from a class featuring athletes from 11 nations and 14 Olympians. Gochman and Iron Maiden were the only combination to produce two faultless rounds, stopping the clock in 41.79 seconds.
“He can sometimes get a bit stressed in the jump-off, so I wanted to keep everything smooth and quiet,” said Gochman. “He really stepped up for me tonight and gave me everything.”
Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
- 1st – Mimi Gochman (USA) & Iron Maiden | Double clear, 41.79 sec
- 2nd – Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) & H5 Ozzy vd Bisschop | 4 faults, 42.65 sec
- 3rd – Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Kentucky TN | 4 faults, 43.36 sec
- 4th – Hilary Scott (AUS) & Oaks Milky Way | 8 faults, 41.52 sec
Pereira de Menezes delivered a strong performance aboard the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion H5 Ozzy vd Bisschop, a relatively new partner now stepping confidently into five-star sport.
“I’m thrilled with him,” said the Brazilian rider. “He is not the fastest horse, but he gave a tremendous effort. If I had been clear, I still couldn’t have caught Mimi.”
For Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, third place with Kentucky TN marked a significant milestone, as it was the pair’s first five-star appearance together.
“This is all about progression,” O’Connor explained. “Bit by bit, the horse has learned to trust me, and I couldn’t be happier with how he performed.”
With this victory, Gochman secures qualification for her first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, scheduled for April 8–12, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, and moves up to second place in the East Coast League standings.
Ben Maher Strikes Again in the CSI5*-W 1.50m Speed
Olympic champion Ben Maher (GBR) continued his winning form in Ocala by securing a second victory of the week with Ginger-Blue, topping the $62,500 1.50m Speed CSI5*-W in 56.56 seconds.
CSI5*-W 1.50m Speed – Top Three
- 1st – Ben Maher (GBR) & Ginger-Blue | 56.56 sec
- 2nd – Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Her Game Ball BG | 56.64 sec
- 3rd – Laura Kraut (USA) & Tres Bien Z | 57.12 sec
“Ginger-Blue has a deceptive stride—she can open up or shorten instantly,” Maher noted. “That’s what makes her so fast and so competitive in these classes.”
Photo Credits Andrew Ryback Photography
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