Rego & Oakland 12 Navigate Challenging WEF U25 Grand Prix
IslandStats.com
Bermudian equestrian standout Cody Rego continued his development on the world stage as he featured in the prestigious twenty-five thousand dollar BrainJuice Under 25 Grand Prix Series Team Event.
The competition, a centerpiece of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, saw some of the finest young riders in the sport convene for a high-stakes evening under the lights at the Wellington International arena.
Rego was part of a four-rider contingent competing under the banner of Oakland 12. In a field characterized by technical complexity and tight time allowed, the team faced a stern test of their partnership with their mounts. Despite a spirited collective effort, Oakland 12 concluded the evening in ninth place overall, finishing with a combined total of twelve penalty fault points once the drop score was applied.
The Bermudian rider, partnered with the experienced Mendoza VDL, produced a performance that balanced speed with careful jumping. The pair navigated the intricate course with precision but were unfortunate to see a single rail fall, resulting in four penalty fault points. They stopped the clock in 68.37 seconds, contributing a solid score to the team’s tally.
The theme of four-fault rounds became a recurring story for the Oakland 12 squad as they struggled to find the elusive clear. Livia Martin, riding Pick Wick Van De Kruishoeve, matched Rego's jumping performance by also picking up four penalty fault points, though she managed a slightly faster time of 65.60 seconds. Her consistency mirrored that of Elena Haas, who guided Ogue BT Special through the course in 66.35 seconds, but she too was unable to keep all the fences up and finished with four faults.
Completing the team’s effort was Mimi Gochman, a highly decorated competitor on the American youth circuit. Partnering with Tage BH, Gochman mirrored her teammates' frustrations by finishing on four penalty fault points with a time of 65.96 seconds. While the individual times were competitive, the cumulative faults kept the podium out of reach for the Oakland 12 side on this occasion.
For Rego, the experience in Wellington remains a vital part of his transition into the upper echelons of the sport. Competing in a team format at the Winter Equestrian Festival provides a unique pressure that serves as ideal preparation for future international representative duties. The Bermudian will now look to build on this performance as the Wellington circuit moves into its final months of competition.
