Carlee McCutcheon Wins CSI3* Grand Prix at WEC - Ocala
Carlee McCutcheon and Aralyn Blue won the CSI3* Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center - Ocala during Winter Spectacular II. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
It was a 'Spectacular' week for Carlee McCutcheon in her first show of 2026 at the World Equestrian Center - Ocala.
Putting on full display the skills she's developed through the last year and a half she's spent within the Road to the Top program under the mentorship of Laura Kraut's team, McCutcheon made it a Grand Prix double at WEC's Winter Spectacular show circuit: She won both the CSI3* Grand Prix and the CSIU25 Grand Prix with Aralyn Blue and Coco Mercedes, respectively.
The youngest rider in the CSI3* Grand Prix, McCutcheon and Aralyn Blue bested an eight-horse jump-off Saturday under the lights in the venue's Grand Arena, which hosts a CSI5* World Cup qualifier and Longines League of Nations event each year. The occasion marked McCutcheon's first victory at the level.
McCutcheon entered the jump-off with a clear strategy, aiming to use the 14-year-old Oldenburg mare’s powerful stride to her advantage. “Her stride is so massive, so I always make a tentative plan knowing that there might always be one less," she explained. "[Between the first two fences of the jump-off], I kind of changed my mind a bit. She jumped so high over the second jump, so I knew I had to push throughout the rest of the jump-off. Her stride is so massive, so I think I was able to leave a stride out pretty much the rest of the way around after that."
Their clear effort in 36.93 seconds proved uncatchable.
“[Aralyn Blue] is without a doubt the most talented horse I’ve ever had the opportunity to ride," McCutcheon gushed. "Ann Thompson and Jess Colins gave me the opportunity to ride her last winter in Wellington, and it was a no-brainer. There’s not enough that I can say to thank Ann and Jess; she’s completely changed my life.
“The opportunity to have this ride and ride in the Road To The Top program and the team with Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut gives me such a sense of confidence that I can’t even describe," she added. "The whole support system with Road To The Top—I would not be here today without it. What Laura Kraut and Katie Prudent have done for a young rider like me, I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for this team that makes nights like these possible. Having the support of my parents and my family, who want this for me just as much as I do, makes me love the horses and this sport even more.”
Carlee McCutcheon and Coco Mercedes won the CSIU25 Grand Prix. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
The CSI3* Grand Prix victory was the second win of the week for McCutcheon, who two days prior topped the CSIU25 Grand Prix with Coco Mercedes.
“My goal always with Coco is to keep up with her. She is way faster than I am, so I was just trying to slow her brain down and slow my brain down a bit because her pace is just so fast,” McCutcheon explained.
In another eight-horse jump-off, the pair crossed the timers in a blazing 38.75 seconds to secure the win.
“We have been partnered together for about three years now. We know each other really well, so I have a lot of trust in her, and I think it goes both ways. She is such a speed horse, and she wants to win so badly—sometimes even too much,” McCutcheon shared. “I felt like she jumped amazing in the first round, and I thought I could take a shot in the jump-off, and she was great.”
McCutcheon added one last victory to her week's tally Sunday, topping the 1.40m Jumper Classic with another Road to the Top partner, Opaline ter Goes.
Watch Carlee and Aralyn Blue win the CSI3* Grand Prix at WEC - Ocala
Carlee McCutcheon's partnership with Aralyn Blue was made possible by Ann Thompson, who committed her five-star horse to Carlee for her career. Ann sat down with Katie Prudent to talk about the partnership and the benefits owners receive when they contribute a horse to the program and a rising star of our sport for a period of time. Click on the photo to watch!