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<p>The Fidelity InvestmentsⓇ CSI5* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival holds a unique place on the five-star calendar. Positioned early in the year and contested against consistently elite fields, it has become more than a prestigious standalone victory. A look back at the past ten winners reveals a clear pattern: success in this Grand Prix has often been the first signal of seasons that deliver sustained dominance, and in some cases, performances that rewrite the record books.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/8cc856d7-bd19-4aca-9afe-d1e7d4e3b2a9.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="14"></p>
<h2>2025: Kent Farrington &amp; Greya Reset the Records</h2>
<p>The most striking recent example came last season. When Kent Farrington and Greya won the Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix in 2025, few could have predicted just how historic the year ahead would become.</p>
<p>That Wellington victory proved to be the opening chapter of a season unlike any previously recorded. By the end of the year, Farrington had secured nine five-star Grand Prix or World Cup victories, surpassing the long‑standing record of eight wins that he himself first set in 2017 and was again, the top ranked rider in the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Greya&rsquo;s achievements elevated the season even further. With seven five-star Grand Prix victories in a single calendar year, she became the most successful horse ever recorded at five-star level in one season, breaking the previous benchmark of six wins held by Gazelle in 2017. What began under the Florida sun culminated with victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva and an early favorite for the 2026 Aachen World Championships was confirmed.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2019: Martin Fuchs&rsquo; Seven‑Win Season</h2>
<p>In 2019, Martin Fuchs arrived in Wellington after opening his five-star campaign with a World Cup victory in Europe at Basel with Clooney 51. The pair&rsquo;s success in the Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix at WEF was Fuchs&rsquo;s second major win of the season and an early indication that he was stepping into the very top tier of the sport.<br>​<br>From there, Fuchs kept adding to the season tally with wins in Lyon, Geneva, Cascais, Madrid and ultimately London. Across different venues and atmospheres, the then 27‑year‑old converted opportunity into results time and again, eventually closing out the year with seven five-star Grand Prix and World Cup wins. Week 5 in Wellington was again, an early launchpad.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2017: Kent Farrington &amp; Gazelle Set The Benchmark</h2>
<p>Before Greya rewrote the limits of what was possible, it was Kent Farrington and Gazelle who set the benchmark. Their victory in the 2017 running of the Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix during Week 5 at WEF also proved to be a cornerstone of a landmark season.</p>
<p>That year, Kent went on to record eight five-star Grand Prix or World Cup wins, the highest total ever achieved in a single season at the time. The record would stand until Farrington surpassed it himself in 2025. Gazelle&rsquo;s role in setting that original benchmark places the 2017 WEF victory firmly within a broader pattern of early‑season success translating into year‑long dominance.</p>
<h2>A Consistent Signal of What&rsquo;s to Come</h2>
<p>Across the past ten editions of the Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix, the evidence is compelling. These wins are rarely isolated moments. Instead, they frequently precede seasons defined by multiple five-star victories, sustained competitiveness in the sport&rsquo;s strongest fields, and historic milestones at the highest level.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/7c600706-d7e5-4d69-b1c0-c5320abc0de9.png?width=2160&amp;height=1350" alt="Wef Graphics (3)"></p>
<p>As the next chapter of the Winter Equestrian Festival unfolds, the Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix once again stands as an early indicator, not just of who is in form, but of which partnerships may go on to shape the season ahead.</p>
<p><a href="https://equiratings.info/wef-week-5-fan-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/cfc12952-9c33-401e-bfc2-26b768f1e899.png?width=6051&amp;height=1000" alt="Get More Insights in the WEF Fan Guide"></a></p>

A Grand Prix That Sets the Tone: WEF’s Proven Launchpad for Historic Seasons

<p>With a CSI5* Fidelity Investments Grand Prix on the horizon at WEF Week 5, the numbers point clearly towards one thing: quality.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/1abc1d19-2de2-4478-a813-3a7ee2c4dc7a.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Stars of the Show 2"></p>
<p><br>Using the EquiRatings Jumping Elo rating, the sport&rsquo;s gold-standard performance metric, these are the 10 highest-rated horses in the field this weekend, each bringing a proven record at the very top of the sport.</p>
<h2>1. Greya &amp; Kent Farrington</h2>
<p>There&rsquo;s no escaping the headline act. Greya arrives at WEF Week 5 as the highest-rated horse in the field, partnered once again with Kent Farrington, current World No.2, having only just been dethroned at the top.</p>
<p>What makes this pairing particularly compelling is the timing. It was this very Grand Prix last season that kick-started a record-breaking 2025 campaign, one that saw Farrington and Greya redefine what was possible at CSI5* 160 level. Their consistency against elite opposition is reflected clearly in the numbers: a 55% clear rate at five-star 160s and a proven ability to peak on the biggest nights.</p>
<p>If history is anything to go by, this is where momentum begins.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. Dynastie de Beaufour &amp; Nina Mallevaey</h2>
<p>Few combinations arrive with more quiet confidence than Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour. They are currently riding a clear-round streak at CSI5* 160 level, underlining both form and reliability at the very top of the sport.</p>
<p>They have jumped clear in their last 10 rounds at CSI5* 160 level, a feat only matched by 10 other horses in the last 15 years. This run of form includes their first-ever CSIO5* Grand Prix victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels and the double clear they produced to help Team France take the win in the Nations Cup as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Dynastie de Beaufour&rsquo;s Elo rating reflects a partnership that continues to strengthen with every major appearance, and Week 5 represents another opportunity to convert consistency into a headline result.</p>
<h2>3. Katanga v/h Dingeshof &amp; Nicola Philippaerts</h2>
<p>Experience counts, especially under the lights at WEF. Katanga v/h Dingeshof and Nicola Philippaerts bring one of the most established five-star partnerships in the field, with over 130 CSI5* 160 rounds together.&nbsp;</p>
<p>That depth of experience translates into trust, composure, and the ability to deliver when the pressure ramps up. A 46% clear rate at this level, across such a large sample, underlines just how reliable this pairing has been over time.</p>
<h2>4. Corbie V.V. &amp; Daniel Bluman</h2>
<p>On paper, Corbie V.V. boasts the highest career clear rate of this week&rsquo;s field, albeit from a smaller sample size, but the signs are unmistakably promising.</p>
<p>This partnership has already made serious waves on the MLSJ circuit in particular, delivering a remarkable run of clears against strong opposition. With clears and Top 10 finishes in their last 8 runs in five-star Grand Prix or World Cup classes, Corbie V.V. and Daniel Bluman look every bit like a combination on the rise.</p>
<h2><br>5. Qonquest de Rigo &amp; Bertram Allen</h2>
<p>Still just 10 years old, Qonquest de Rigo already sits as the second-highest-rated 10-year-old horse in the world. Here in Florida, the pair has already shown strong form with a second place finish in last weekend&rsquo;s CSI4* $215,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix.</p>
<p>Bertram Allen has carefully produced this horse into the five-star arena, and while the clear rate tells part of the story, the Elo rating highlights something deeper: performance relative to opposition. Qonquest de Rigo isn&rsquo;t just competing at this level, he&rsquo;s holding his own against the very best.</p>
<h2>6. Jordan Molga M &amp; McLain Ward</h2>
<p>An intriguing storyline this week comes from a fresh new partnership. McLain Ward will be campaigning Jordan Molga M, a horse that up until 2 months ago competed under Stella Wasserman and, earlier in 2025 under Nicolas Delmotte.</p>
<p>While this pair have yet to make their CSI5* Grand Prix debut together, they have already picked up two CSI5* Top 10 finishes in 150/155 classes out in Thermal late last year. This weekend marks an important data point in what could become a very significant partnership.</p>
<h2>7. Enjeu de Grisien &amp; Ben Maher</h2>
<p>Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien bring depth, experience, and a quietly strong record at five-star level. They produced a crucial double clear to help Team GB take the win in the prestigious BMO Nations&rsquo; Cup of Calgary, Spruce Meadows, and were clear over fences in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva late last year to finish inside the Top 12 on 1 time penalty.</p>
<p>Ben Maher has already shown strong WEF form this season, notably aboard Ginger-Blue, who brought home two CSI4* 150 wins last weekend, now it&rsquo;s Enjeu de Grisien&rsquo;s turn to produce the goods.</p>
<h2>8. Pacino Amiro &amp; Bertram Allen</h2>
<p>Pacino Amiro offers a contrast to Allen&rsquo;s younger contender, bringing extensive five-star mileage and a proven track record across major venues and isn&rsquo;t a stranger to winning at five-star level here at the Wellington International.</p>
<p>In 2021 and 2022 this pair won the CSI5* Grand Prix classes during WEF Week 7, proving their success under the Saturday Night Lights.</p>
<h2>9. Portobella v/d Fruitkorf &amp; Emilie Conter</h2>
<p>The Wellington International arena will always hold a special place in the hearts of Emilie Conter and Portobella v/d Fruitkorf. This is the stage where they claimed their first-ever CSI5* Grand Prix victory last season, announcing themselves on the biggest stage.</p>
<p>Since that win, they have gone on to be a key player in Belgium&rsquo;s success in five-star team competitions.</p>
<p>Now, returning to familiar ground, Emilie Conter and Portobella bring both confidence and proven five-star success, a dangerous combination under the lights.</p>
<h2>10. Highway TN &amp; Lillie Keenan</h2>
<p>Rounding out the top 10 is another exciting new partnership. Highway TN and Lillie Keenan are making their CSI5* debut together, but they arrive off the back of already winning at National Grand Prix level under the lights here two weeks ago.</p>
<p>The Elo rating highlights this horse&rsquo;s underlying quality, while this weekend provides the first real look at how this partnership translates onto the five-star stage.</p>
<h2><br>What&rsquo;s At Stake?</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Can Kent Farrington &amp; Greya continue their 2025 form and defend their title in the Grand Prix?<br>Can Nina Mallevaey &amp; Dynastie de Beaufour jump an 11th consecutive clear round at CSI5* 160 level?<br>Can Daniel Bluman &amp; Corbie V.V. jump a 9th consecutive CSI5* Grand Prix clear round?</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Bigger Picture</h2>
<p>Elo doesn&rsquo;t just reward wins, it measures difficulty, consistency, and performance against strength of field. That&rsquo;s what makes this top 10 such a compelling snapshot of WEF Week 5.</p>
<p>Some are proven five-star winners. Others are just beginning their journey at this level. All of them, by the numbers, are right where the spotlight should be.</p>

Stars of the Show: Who’s at WEF Week 5?

<p>The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has long been more than just a winter circuit. For over a decade, Wellington International has been the proving ground where legends are reinforced, careers are launched, and the sport&rsquo;s biggest names return year after year to prepare themselves for the season ahead. The five-star Grand Prix and World Cup qualifiers held at WEF offer a unique lens on consistency, longevity, and peak performance, not just across a season, but across generations of horses and riders.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/615d63fa-626a-40bc-b4b2-7a9d4068f3cf.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Roll of Honour of all Five-Star WEF Grands Prix"></p>
<h1><br>The McLain Ward Era: Consistency at the Very Top</h1>
<p>No rider is more synonymous with five-star success in Wellington than McLain Ward. From Sapphire&rsquo;s victories in the late 2000s, through <strong>Rothchild</strong>, <strong>HH Azur</strong>, and <strong>Callas</strong>, Ward&rsquo;s name appears repeatedly across the WEF honours list. His wins span nearly two decades, an extraordinary marker of both personal longevity and elite horse management.</p>
<p>What stands out is not just the volume of victories, but the range of horses with which Ward has succeeded. From championship mares to developing stars, Wellington has consistently been the place where his top partnerships announce themselves as global contenders. Across 16 years of jumping at WEF, McLain Ward has won 11 five-star Grands Prix at the Wellington International, a notably higher number than any other rider.</p>
<h3>The WEF Specialists</h3>
<p>Beyond McLain Ward, a select group of riders have repeatedly demonstrated a particular affinity for five-star success in Wellington. <strong>Daniel Bluman</strong> leads this cohort with four CSI5* Grand Prix victories at WEF, underlining his consistency and precision on some of the circuit&rsquo;s most influential tracks. Close behind, <strong>Ben Maher</strong>, <strong>Dani Waldman</strong>, and <strong>Kent Farrington</strong> each sit on three five-star WEF wins, a testament to their ability to peak early in the season and deliver under the sustained pressure that defines Wellington&rsquo;s top-level competition.&nbsp;</p>
<h1><br>Farrington &amp; Greya: Where History Began</h1>
<p>For Kent Farrington, Wellington has often been a starting point, but WEF 2025 marked the beginning of something unprecedented. Victories with Greya in the CSI5* Grand Prix during WEF 5 and WEF 7 were more than early-season highlights; they were the opening chapters of a record-breaking campaign that would redefine what was thought possible at five-star level.&nbsp;</p>
<p>That Wellington momentum carried through the year, culminating at CHI Geneva 2025, where Farrington secured his ninth five-star Grand Prix or World Cup win of the season, surpassing the record he himself set in 2017. For Greya, Geneva confirmed her place in history as well, her seventh five-star win of the year making her the most successful horse ever recorded in a single calendar season.&nbsp;</p>
<p>What began in Wellington did not merely continue; it accelerated into one of the most dominant partnerships the sport has ever seen.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>What the History Tells Us</h1>
<p>Looking back at every CSI5* Grand Prix winner at the Winter Equestrian Festival reveals clear patterns: riders who return year after year with carefully planned campaigns, horses developed patiently into five-star performers, and a venue that rewards both bravery and precision.</p>
<p>As the WEF season continues to evolve, this history provides valuable context. Past winners don&rsquo;t just reflect what has been, they offer clues about what it takes to win in Wellington, and who may be poised to add their name to this prestigious list next.</p>

WEF 2026

A Grand Prix That Sets the Tone: WEF’s Proven Launchpad for Historic Seasons

Stars of the Show: Who’s at WEF Week 5?

From Sapphire to Checker 47: The Five-Star Roll of Honor at WEF

Stay Ahead with EquiRatings Insights