Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS are one pair slated to compete in the $10,000 Ocala Invitational Advanced Combined Test on February 18. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
EN is gearing up to hit the road to kick off the 2026 season down in Florida on February 18, where 30 horses and riders are currently entered (with a few more anticipated) for the inaugural $10,000 Ocala Invitational Advanced Combined Test at Florida Horse Park. Organized by Chris Barnard and Justine Dutton-Barnard’s Notting Hill Stables and supported by multiple local brands, this Combined Test presents an opportunity to tune up for the season, which for many of these pairs may “start” at events like Pine Top Advanced in Georgia and the $100,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field in Aiken before the March CCI4*-S season begins.
Chris and Justine, both with their own strong connections to the sport of eventing, have hosted shows in Ocala for several seasons now, but this Combined Test represents a part of their larger vision and contribution to the sport. “I’ve always wanted to do an invitational type show for eventing,” Chris said. “It’s early in the season, so that’s why I thought a Combined Test would be ideal. I really wanted to do a show that offers prize money to eventers — which is lacking in this discipline — and the hope is to increase it in the future. It’s also a week or so before the Aiken Showcase and so we thought some might use it as a prep and also to others it would give them a chance to get their horses and themselves in some atmosphere which is always good education.”
Competitors will be challenged at the Advanced level for both their dressage and show jumping tests, with Bobby Stevenson and Valerie Pride stepping in as Ground Jury judges and Chris Barnard judging and designing show jumping. There will be a minimum of $10,000 in prize monies to hand out to the winner, with more support pouring in each day.
The current list of competitors, as of February 4, is as follows:
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Woods Baughman — Hopak de Greenbay Z
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Zachary Brandt — Direct Advance
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Rebecca L. Brown — Fernhill Quite Frankly
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Jan M. Byyny — Beautiful Storm
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Kimmy Cecere — OS Hermintage
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Maya Clarkson — Maks Mojo C
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William Coleman — Chin Tonic HS
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Dana Cooke — FE Quattro
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Jack Curtis — Luska Candy Clover
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Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr — Cooley Candyman
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Gabby Dickerson — Casalto
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Mia Farley — Phelps
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Cornelia Roosevelt Dorr Fletcher — Daytona Beach 8
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Rory Frangos — Monty’s Tune
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Stephanie Goodman — Elwenda DP
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Hannah Sue Hollberg — Hachi
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Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis — Flower Girl
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Kendal Lehari — Mitchell
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Shannon P. Lilley — Eindhoven Garette
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Natalia Neneman — Chesterland’s Brown Sugar
- Alex O’Neal — Creative Genius
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Elinor MacPhail O’Neal — Carsontown Basil
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Caroline Pamukcu — HSH Connor
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Meg Pellegrini — Falcon Crown Z
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Alyssa Phillips — Rockett 19
- Monica Spencer – Artist
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Briggs Surratt — Corture
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Chris Ryan Talley — FE Marco Polo
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Elisa Wallace — Lissavorra Quality
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Sharon L. White — Claus 63
