World Cup NAL Reflections: Here, There, and Everywhere

Catie Staszak
Feb 9
4 min read

Fist pumps from Kyle King (USA) and Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. (MEX) following their respective victories in North American League events at Puebla (MEX) and Thermal (USA). Photos by FEI/Rodrigo Cecena (left) & Sara Shier (right)

February is the busiest month of the North American League: In three consecutive weeks, there are three different qualifiers—across two countries and both coasts of the United States. The frequent flier miles rack up quickly.

Therefore, this update will recap two events: Thermal (USA) and Puebla (MEX). And if there's a prevailing theme that has run through both legs, it's this: Partnership is paramount.

Sometimes it takes a specific type of rider to bring out the best in the horse. You can have a talented horse and a talented rider, but sometimes it's just not the right match. And sometimes, it overwhelmingly is.

Exhibit A: Kyle King (USA) and Kayenne Z. The 11-year-old Zangersheide mare was sent to King last year to be sold as a junior or amateur mount for a female rider. It quickly became apparent that job wouldn't be the best fit for the horse, as King himself had trouble harnessing the mare's strong-willed nature. After an impressive outing in a national standard Grand Prix under the lights, a close friend, Greg Tomb helped King keep the mare for himself. By September, the pair burst onto the international scene with a runner-up finish in the world's richest Grand Prix, the $5 million (CAD) CPCK Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters. On January 31, a win in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Thermal gave King the first career five-star Grand Prix victory of his career and his first Longines timepiece.

"[I realized] she could handle some pressure, and I could feel that she was growing, and she's special—kind of like a bull...I feel like I was really lucky she came along and lucky I had a person to support me to see where we can go." -Kyle King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS_Do1sDfug

The Winning Call 🎙️: Kyle King & Kayenne Z

Exhibit B: Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. (MEX) and Huberth B. I saw Huberth B for the first time in 2021, when he jumped the World Cup qualifier at Sacramento with Erynn Ballard (CAN). She had only known the horse for a few days, but the pair still managed to finish second in the class. Unsurprisingly, Huberth B sold shortly thereafter.

The horse would jump in World Cup competition on two other seasons with two different riders: Rodrigo Lambre (BRA, 2022) and Bruno Cavalheiro (BRA, 2024) before ending up in the hands of amateur rider Plascencia less than a year ago. In their first World Cup as a partnership, they won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla, producing the only double-clear effort of the class.

He's got all the skill, but if you get on his bad side a little bit, it can go the other way. So I tried to understand what he likes and tried to be soft with him. He started going clear [more] and doing his job amazingly well. Obviously, the riders [that had him] before me did a little of the work for me, so I got to enjoy him as a mature horse. But he's amazing...He got the win, finally." -Luis Alejandro Plascencia O.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdvhQOwTGFY

The Winning Call 🎙️: Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. & Huberth B

Puebla's Favorite World Cup Tradition

Photos by Ellie Villa

Four years ago, a new tradition began at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla: The winner of the class is tossed in the venue's clubhouse pool.

In competition this tough, either you sink - or you swim!

Horse Update: Gangster Montdesir

Richard Vogel (GER) and Gangster Montdesir. Photo by SportFot

Meanwhile in Wellington...Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir won the CSI5* Fidelity Investments Grand Prix at WEF 5.

This wonderful 10-year-old stallion joined Vogel's string less than five months ago and finished second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles in November. Gangster Montdesir has jumped 1.60m four times, advancing to the jump-off on every occasion:

Longines Grand Prix - Lyon (FRA), Oct. 31, 2025: 1st
Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ - Los Angeles (USA), Nov. 22, 2025: 2nd
Coachella Cup Grand Prix - Thermal (USA), Dec. 6, 2025: 9th
Fidelity Investments Grand Prix - Wellington (USA), Feb. 7, 2026: 1st

What a horse!

"If you get such a talented horse stepping up so quickly, you always must find a balance—we want great nights like tonight, but we never want to over-face the horse. Right now, he feels highly motivated and very game. He’s green at this level, but we have high hopes for him." -Richard Vogel

Did You Know?

Quintas Ecuestres, the venue that hosts the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla, has a view unlike any other on the North American League. In the backdrop is Popocatépetl, one of the most active volcanos in Mexico.

After nearly 70 years of dormancy, Popocatépetl re-awakened in December 1994 and continues to spew volcanic ash. To its immediate north is Iztaccíhuatl, a dormant volcano. According to Aztec legend, the volcanoes symbolize a warrior and princess turned into mountains by gods to be together forever.