Can Simpson and Keminko N Seize Glory at the $120,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3*?

Announcement from World Equestrian Center

Ocala was filled with enthusiasm for the inaugural international grand prix of the 2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series, the $120,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3*. The Saturday night lineup showcased some of the globe’s finest equestrians, but it was Will Simpson (USA), a 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, who secured a delightful triumph riding Keminko N (Grand Slam VDL x Numero Uno), owned by Will Simpson Stables, Inc.

Course designer Ben Townley (GBR), with FEI Level III accreditation, crafted intricate and demanding tracks that narrowed the competitors, allowing only seven of the 27 pairs to progress to the jump-off. The remarkable group included rising star Delaney Flynn (USA), promising talent Václav Staněk (CZE), Olympic Silver Medalist Kent Farrington (USA), ‘Master of Faster’ Richard Spooner (USA), Olympian Daniel Coyle (IRL), and the seasoned Jumping star Will Simpson.

Twenty-five-year-old Delaney Flynn impressively navigated both of her horses into the jump-off. She was the first to return with Cassinnia (Casalito x Cento), producing a swift round in 42.18 seconds but unfortunately had a rail down.

Václav Staněk then took his turn with Ariel Grange’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding Quintin (Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion), achieving the first clear round and establishing a rapid pace at 37.60 seconds. 

World No. 4 Kent Farrington entered the arena riding Artisan Farms, LLC’s Kadans (Grand Slam VDL x Carosso VDL), speeding through the course in a sensational 36.30 seconds. However, a disappointing rail at the penultimate fence kept him from the top rankings. 

Richard Spooner (USA) put forth his best effort with his new partner, Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano), but also encountered a rail, concluding in 38.35 seconds. Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Farrel (Cardento x Stakkato) rallied as well, but were plagued by rails down. 

Second-to-last in the lineup, Will Simpson was intent on victory. “I wanted to enter the ring and observe a few. When I walked the jump-off, the first line was walking a 10 or 11, yet the first one went in and did nine. So, I watched those remarkable riders and aimed to get as close as I could to them,” Simpson explained.

“The nine was straightforward for ‘Kemmy’ from one to two. I preferred the 11 to the next jump because then you could execute a nice turn back to the Coca-Cola jump. I didn’t accomplish the seven, but I completed the eight. Then the horse jumped wonderfully through the double, and I believe I did 10 or nine to the last. I added a couple here and there, but the horse has quick feet, which is wonderful to have.”

The duo soared over the final oxer, stopping the clock just three-tenths of a second quicker than Staněk, at 37.34 seconds, to secure the top position on the leaderboard.

Simpson conveyed pride in the up-and-coming 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Grand Slam. “He’s still quite inexperienced. It seems like just yesterday he started this. He’s already such a professional under the lights and in the cold, and still swift in the jump-off. He’s catching up quickly, and I look forward to the remainder of the circuit with him. I might just have to create a new strategy for him. He’s one of those horses that enjoys winning.”

Delaney Flynn was the final competitor to try the jump-off on her second mount Namamia (Fantomas De Muze x Berlin), a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Windsor Show Stables. She was swift and clear in 41.16 seconds, ultimately concluding the podium.