The Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* presented by Dover Saddlery was the highlight of the week on Friday, March 7, 2025, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) during the WEC March Dressage CDI4* presented by Hampton Green Farms. Victory in the class went to Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) and Jewel’s Goldstrike, his Olympic partner that he owns with Jessica and Justin Mendoza.

Photo – Julio Mendoza and Jewel’s Goldstrike improved on their performance from Thursday to take the win in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* presented Dover Saddlery. (Andrew Ryback Photography)

In their first show back since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games seven months ago, Mendoza and Jewel’s Goldstrike, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Bretton Woods x Scandic) scored 75.860% to just take the win by two-hundredths of a point.

Wanted to Perform

Mendoza was pleased with “Goldie’s” performance in the freestyle after an energetic Grand Prix test on Thursday. “Today was better than yesterday,” he acknowledged. “Today he wanted to perform, and he was a little bit nervous in the beginning, but he was with me all the time.

“There were a lot of highlights tonight in the test,” he continued. “My pirouettes were the highlight tonight. He was really, really with me. After the line of the one-tempis, he was really there in what I was asking him to do. His performance was amazing. Nothing is better than competing here at WEC – Ocala.”

Mendoza admitted to some nerves in their return back to the show ring but noted that while Goldie is always “a little bit sassy,” it’s never to be mean; usually it’s a combination of sass, nerves, and a little look.

“My pirouettes were the highlight tonight.”

Settled Nerves

Knowing that Goldie would have the whole day to wait until the freestyle began on Friday evening, Mendoza made a concerted effort to keep Goldie’s nerves settled and focused on the horse’s favorite things: handwalking, grass and time outside of the stall.

“He ate grass and rolled multiple times,” said Mendoza. “He laid down today for almost 10 minutes and was eating grass. I didn’t ride him because I knew if I rode him, he would get even hotter. I preferred to keep him calm and relaxed. I wanted him to know that he didn’t have to perform during the day; it was his time to relax. I try to give him all the time that he deserves.”

While this freestyle win earned points for the US Equestrian Open for Dressage, Mendoza will stay laser focused on his plan for 2026, which currently includes a three-month stay in Europe for competition, qualifying for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany, and the 2026 South American Games.

Close Behind

Anna Marek and Fayvel, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top x Houston owned by Cynthia Davila, were just behind with a score of 75.840%. With this second-place finish, Marek now leads the standings for the US Equestrian Open for Dressage, and her sights are set on the final, which will be held in California this November.

Denielle Gallagher (CAN) and Come Back De Massa, a 13-year-old Lusitano gelding by Galopin de la Font x Quixote SDS she owns with Ellen Lazarus, scored 69.345% for third place.

Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* Results

Start List and Results

CDI competition continues on Saturday, March 8, with the Intermediate A CDI2*, Intermediate 1 CDI1*, Grand Prix Special CDI3*, and Grand Prix Special CDI4*.