Photo Report: Ringside at the 2024 CDIO Wellington

Shows

2024 CDIO Wellington

My third week at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, is done and dusted and with only 10 more days to go my wonderful escape to the sun will come to a brutal end. I have covered two CDI's and one national show so far but the icing on the cake is yet to come, the Palm Beach Derby. It is around the corner on Wednesday 28 February 2024.

I photographed 131 horses this weekend in the international and national arena as the FEI Nations' Cup in Wellington unfolded. It was a fun week with interesting rides for sure. I personally preferred the CDI 3* tour. On Sunday I also watched the national Developing PSG class which was nice, but I preferred the field in the Developing GP horse class of two weeks ago, overall..But of course the youngster's today were just rising PSG horses and much more is to come for them in the future.

As the Olympic season is now at the end of its second month and there are four more to go before teams are selection, I think I need to stop holding my breath to see America's best appear here in Florida. So far, the only two U.S. horses I think could make an interesting climb in the big tour are Genay Vaughn's Gino (but how will he do in the CDI ring without the whip?) and Charlotte Jorst's Zhaplin Langholt (who's coming along nicely). This weekend I also saw Kasey Perry-Glass's Heartbeat compete and there is plenty of potential there, but that horse requires a bit of "un-Dutching".. it's too much a leg mover at this moment with the hocks and knees high and at times strong in the bridle. But I'm sure Perry will take her time and slowly chisel this horse to her aesthetics.

Normally in the Derby you get to see a few surprises so let's see what's in store. It's Sunday afternoon here as I write this and tonight the Germans are celebrating their Nations Cup victory with a small party at Hof Kasselmann USA in Loxahatchee. I think I'm going to crash that, although it would be wiser to stay home and finish the mountain of work that is staring back at me.

Meanwhile, here are some ringside photos for your enjoyment.

Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED / NO SCREEN SHOTS for social media

If interested in photos, please send me an email. Florida rates apply for this horse show as our colleague Sue Stickle is the official photographer

Haven't seen Colombian Marco Bernal in a very long time ! His last CDI was in 2015

Ella Fruchterman hugs Holts Le Man

A sneeze caught on camera. Bless you

Kat Fuqua on her new Young Riders' horse Vitosko

Olympian and trainer Charlotte Bredahl

Familiar face: Alexa Westendarp's German youth team horse Der Prinz now a GP schoolmaster with Taryn Hartnett and before her with Rachael Franks

Benjamin Ebeling

Colombian team trainer and former Canadian youth team coach Albrecht Heidemann

The cap says "Follow the Leaders" the jacket says "we have higher standards"

Evergreen Betsy Steiner

Long-time Wellington resident, Israeli Oded Shimoni coaching

International FEI horse owner Marcia Pepper

Christine Traurig is the U.S. Development Coach and Senior Team Chef d'Equipe

Adrienne Lyle on an upcoming FEI horse, Hussmann's Top Gun (by Totilas x Belissimo M)

Gestut Vorwerk manager Georgia Schulze Lefert on a holiday in Wellington

Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer, now riding for the USA

Richard Malmgren rooting for Sweden

Anna Merritt on (oversized) pony Fox Creek's Censational (by Caramel FH x FS Don't Worry) in the Developing Grand Prix class!

Christoph Koschel won the Developing GP class on Destare

Anna Christina Abbelen on her spicy Dutch mare Jida Selly A

Two Tina's share a laugh (Irwin and Konyot, Guernsey Elvis has a look on the cell phone too)

Meghan Laffin with Kasey Perry's daughter

Ear for detail