After a strong season, Alise Oken (USA) topped off her Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) circuit with a victory aboard a promising younger mount in the $62,500 Vogel CSI2* Grand Prix. At just 9 years old, Lady Lex carried her to the win in a competitive field on the final Sunday of WEF 12 in Wellington, FL.
Nineteen pairs jumped clear over Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) first-round course, so Oken knew the pace was going to be quick. Going up against far more seasoned pairs, the time to catch was already quite fast, but Oken took it up a notch faster.
“In the jump-off, it was a lot of open galloping and when she gets going she is a rocket,” Oken explained of how she used Lady Lex’s speed. “She has a massive stride. I left out in the first line and in the last line; the leave-out was eight [strides] but I was slow in eight. She is so fast across the ground so I think that’s where we got the win today.”
They came home in a time of 36.32 seconds, which was only a hair faster than the time posted by second-place finisher Niamh McEvoy (IRL) aboard Sevilla van de Berghoeve Z, owned by GBBS International. The Irish luck continued through third place, with Simon McCarthy rounding out the podium aboard Gotcha, owned by Rock Ridge Farms.
From the moment Oken first sat on Lady Lex, owned by Hi Hopes Farm, LLC, she felt a connection.
“I bought her at the end of year 8-year-old year last year,” she said of the Dutch Warmblood mare (Entertainer x Eldorado V/D Zeshoek). “My fiance saw her jumping in Rotterdam and was really impressed with her. I tried her and we just clicked. I love how game she is. She always looks for the fence and wants to go. I love the blood and the mentality she has—I’m really excited about her future.”
Since the partnership is still relatively new, Oken hasn’t pushed the mare to see what she’s capable of. “The feeling is that she could do anything,” she admitted. “I think with her it’s her heart, and she has the mentality that she can jump almost anything. You don’t know how big they can jump until you try and I’m definitely going to try with her. I think she has all the ability to do it.”
With the week going as planned, Oken will gear up for a summer season and continue to develop the horse under the guidance of trainer Markus Beerbaum.
“I was aiming for this final grand prix with her to see where we are before summer,” she explained. “I’d love to move her up and do some 1.50m, maybe 1.55m by the end of the year, but I also don’t like to rush my horses when I develop them. I want to get to know her and have a good relationship with her. Markus and I will work together and make a good plan because I think by the time she’s 10 or 11 she’ll be doing the top of the sport.”
For Oken, originally from Charlotte, NC, Wellington has become home. “I love being here,” she said of Wellington. “I live here the majority of the year so it's great we get to have these incredible five-star, high-level shows. I try to sit down before circuit starts and make a plan, then work backwards from WEF 12 with all the horses. I’m really grateful and happy to be here.”
For full results from the $62,500 Vogel CSI2* Grand Prix, click HERE.
WEF 2025 Season-End Awards
$25,000 Leading International Rider Bonus, presented by Michael & Wendy Smith: Ben Maher (GBR)
$5,000 Leading Hunter Horse & Rider Bonus, presented by The In Gate: Aventus & Geoffrey Hesslink
The Harrison Cup Perpetual Trophy: Beerbaum Stables
Awarded in memory of Hunter Harrison the owner that wins the jumps jumper money in all jumper classes
The Dennis Dammerman Perpetual Trophy: Ben Maher (GBR)
Simba Run Perpetual Trophy: Checker 47 owned by Beerbaum Stables
Awarded in honor of the gallant jumper Simba Run.
Jeff Wirthman Perpetual Trophy: Jack Towell
Donated by Debbie and Steve Stephens and awarded to the trainer of the hunter derby horse with the most points in all WEF Derby classes.
