OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The United States is looking to repeat its previous Federation Equestre Internationale League of Nations Ocala CSIO5* success on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the World Equestrian Center, by again capturing the second leg of the show jumping series. They’ll have their work cut out for them, though, as nine of the world’s best teams will have their sights set on winning the same prize.
The same team that had enjoyed success in 2025 was scheduled to represent the United States: Williston’s Aaron Vale; Laura Kraut, ranked 11th in the FEI standings; Lillie Keenan and McClain Ward. However, Ward sustained a minor injury earlier in the week and will be replaced on the U.S. roster by one of the sport’s rising stars, Natalie Dean. France won the first leg of the FEI League of Nations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, last month on Feb. 13. The series will continue in June in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, then move onto Gassin-St. Tropez in France, with the series finale being in Barcelona, Spain. The United States currently sits seventh in the standings.
The nations competing include Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.
The $350,000 JPMorgan Grand Prix CSIO5* is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start on March 19, 2026. Tickets are still available for the event. Many of the world’s best rider/horse combinations are scheduled to compete including four of the top 10 riders in the FEI standings: Richard Vogel, Germany, 4th; the 2024 Olympic Gold medalist Christian Kukuk, Germany, 6th; Nina Mallevaey, France, 7th; and Shane Sweetnam, Ireland, 9th.
Saturday’s festivities for the $770,000 CSIO5* 1.60meter FEI Longines League of Nations Ocala begin with the parade starting at 4:40 p.m. The first round is at 5:15 p.m. and the second round at 8 p.m. There are still general admission tickets available for Saturday.