Meagan Davis Rocks New Freestyle Personal Best at WEC February CDI
February 15, 2026 - Ocala, FL
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
The tussle between the last two riders down centerline in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* on Saturday, February 14, ensured a nail-biting finish to the headline class of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) February Dressage CDI3* presented by Hampton Green Farms at WEC – Ocala. Just 0.2 percentage points separated winner Meagan Davis (USA) from her compatriot Claire Darnell, who was placed first by two of the five judges.
The win made it two for two for Meagan Davis and Scott Durkin’s Toronto Lightfoot, after leading the way in the grand prix a day earlier. Their first-place performance to a funky music compilation, including “Smooth Operator” and “Disco Inferno,” earned 73.685%, a new personal best for the ever-impriving duo from Loxahatchee, FL.
Claire Darnell and her own 14-year-old Vivaldi x Fidermark gelding, Harrold S, secured second with 73.45%. The 27-year-old Argentine rider Leonardo Antonio Godoy — who burst onto the CDI grand prix scene with two horses just a month ago and has ridden 11 tests at the level — filled third place with 69.645% on Cristina Balcarce’s 10-year-old Lusitano Marques Do Lis, by Fabuloso Do Lis.
“Claire had a beautiful ride, and it was a close one!” exclaimed Davis, whose music was compiled by Terri Gallo. “But we’re just checking off goals left and right with Toronto. Getting the personal best up there on the screen — that’s what I’m looking for. We’re building momentum with him, hopefully to compete in Europe and have him shine.
“We had a little boo-boo in the one tempis, but we haven’t ridden the freestyle since September, so we were dusting the cobwebs off,” she continued. “There were some real highlights, like the second set of ones and the twos on the twisted line. He was a little nervous when we first got him, so going in there, doing his job, and enjoying it is a testament to the partner he’s becoming. He keeps answering all the questions.”
Davis schooled Toronto Lightfoot at midday before bringing him out for a short warm-up ahead of the evening freestyle class.
“Our warm-up tonight was 25 minutes total — and that includes walking from the barn,” she said. “It’s busy here this weekend with the big jumping show going on, so it’s nice to have non-dressage people come and watch our sport.”
The freestyle was a qualifier for the US Open of Dressage, now in its second season. The final takes place in November in California.
Batchelder Takes Special
In the CDI3* Grand Prix Special, local rider Nora Batchelder spearheaded the U.S. one-two-three, taking the top spot on Carol Glover’s 11-year-old mare, Nova. Their 67.958% in their fourth CDI Special together was a new career-high score for the Grand Galaxy Win T x Blue Hors Romanov mare at the level.
The winner of the previous day’s grand prix, Jodie Kelly-Baxley, claimed second place on her own 15-year-old gelding Grayton Beach (by Negro) with 67.149%. Ellesse Gundersen admirably settled the 11-year-old Quintessential 4, who was spooky in the early part of the test, to finish third. The Quaterback gelding, who is owned by Gundersen, Henrik Gundersen, and Marcia Radosevich, scored 66.447%.
The only mistake in an otherwise energetic and light-footed performance was a break in the middle of the one-time changes, which garnered four fours from the judges, suppressing the score. Marks of eights for harmony, the entry, and extended canter helped elevate the duo to the top of the leaderboard.
“This horse is amazing and has an incredible trot, so my goal today was to show it off because in that test there’s so much trot and passage,” said Batchelder. “We keep nailing the tempis and messing them up in the warm-up, so that’s a struggle, but she’s still young and is just coming into her own as a grand prix horse. She feels like it’s not that hard anymore; now we need to finesse and make it cleaner.”
Batchelder found the sporty mare in Denmark as a rising seven-year-old and instantly knew she was the one.
“I sat on her, and we clicked,” continued Batchelder. “She’s come up through the levels with me, and that’s really special. Although she’s super talented, finding the piaffe took a while because the passage comes so naturally to her. I want to show it better and keep the fire in the ring, but it’s there.”
Batchelder rode Nova in a snaffle as the mare had to have some malformed molars removed and is more comfortable with one bit in her mouth than two.
“I’m thrilled that we can ride at three-star with a snaffle now,” added Batchelder. “The double bridle is great if they need it, but what’s best is whatever is best for the individual horse. This one knows she’s the queen, and we’re just her servants.”
The WEC February Dressage CDI3* concludes on Sunday, February 15. International dressage returns to the venue for the March Dressage CDI3*, set for March 5-8.
