The first dressage competition of the 2026 show season began on Friday, January 30, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). The WEC January Dressage CDI3*, presented by Hampton Green Farms hosted two grand prix classes on the first day with Charlotte Osborne (GBR) and Fruhlingszauber, owned by Lisa Carol, winning the Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI3*.

Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber, an 18-year-old Austrian Warmblood gelding by Fortino x Rubinstein I, scored a personal best of 65.674% to win the Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI3* in only their fifth FEI Grand Prix class together.

Photo – “He took the reins and did it for me tonight.” – Charlotte Osborne on Fruhlingszauber (Andrew Ryback Photography)

“I’m normally not too brave down centerline,” revealed Osborne. “Today he felt really, really good, and I just thought, ‘I’m gonna go for it.’ I tried to bring a little bit more energy to the test today and also tried to stay out of his way, let him do it, and trust him a little bit more. I think that paid off. He took the reins and did it for me tonight. It was a big learning lesson for me.”

Coming to America

After graduating college with a sports science equestrian degree – “It’s the biology of humans and horses, so you really learn how the body reacts to exercise and the biological processes that happen through that.” – she was given a working student position in the Netherlands, where she met her husband (who is not a horse person), and was then advised to come to the United States.

At the age of 24, Osborne and her husband, their two dogs, and their cat packed up and moved to the United States. After her husband realized he wasn’t a horse groom and started his own business, they had two children and have made their home in their adopted country for the past 10 years. Based in Canton, GA, Osborne trains horses and riders and imports horses from Europe, which is the main part of her business.

“We have the most wonderful set of clients,” she said. “Something I’ve learned is that you can ride, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have the supportive owners, good grooms, vets, and farriers. The biggest key that I found to success is that you just absolutely cannot do it by yourself. It’s 100% a team.”

“Ozzie” was sent to Osborne as a sale horse more than two years ago, and she sold him after a couple months of being able to show him in the national grand prix classes.

New Beginnings

“I did my first grand prix with him and scored almost 70% at national and then two days later he sold,” explained Osborne.

His new owner, Lisa Carol, eventually called Osborne to bring Ozzie back into training with her. “Lisa has been incredibly kind,” said Osborne. “She’s really taken a backseat in her training to let me ride him. The whole year has been unexpected, because I never really thought I would be able to do this level.”

At the November show at WEC, they won the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, their first international victory. For Saturday’s test, Osborne isn’t necessarily aiming for the top of the podium.

“As long as we do a test that we’re proud of, that’s really all I care about,” she remarked. “We’ll put our best foot forward, and if that happens to do well, then amazing.”

Second place went to Claire Darnell (USA) riding her own Harrold S, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Vivaldi x Fidermark with 64.174%. Sylvia Gugler (USA) took third place on Vulkano 14, an 11-year-old Warmblood by Van Vivaldi I x Sir Donnerhall I, owned by Gugler and Gugler Sport Horses Gmbh & Co. with 63.935%.

Grand Prix for Freestyle Results

Grand Prix for Special Results

Prix St. Georges Results

Full Show Results and Ride Times

The WEC January Dressage CDI3* continues on Saturday, January 31, with the CDI Young Riders Individual test, followed by the Intermediate I CDI1* at 5:40 p.m., the Grand Prix Special CDI3* at 6:30 p.m., and wrapping up with the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* at 7:40 p.m.