Photo Report: Ring-Side Lingering at the 2026 CDN Wellington

Sun, 02/15/2026 - 18:42
2026 CDN Wellington
Catherine Malone and the 8-year old stunningly talented Lusitano  Opium SR (Guardião do Penedo x Pino) :: Photo © Astrid Appels

-- Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED (no screenshots for social media!)

With the 2026 Global Dressage Festival at its half-way point and gearing up for two back-to-back CDI competitions, the national show during Valentine's weekend on 13 - 15 February 2026 was a low-key one while show jumpers took over the derby field behind the international stadium.

I popped over to the show grounds for a little more quiet ring-side lingering and snapping pictures of combinations that I have never seen before or caught my eye.  Austrian Petra Kerschbaum arrived on the scene for her one-month stay and we caught up on Euro news as we were watching dressage. 

Here is a quick photo gallery of my Saturday at Global...

Photos © Astrid Appels - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED (no screenshots for social media!)

Related Links
Blog: Wellington 2026 - Quick Pop-Over to the National Ring
Blog: Wellington 2026 - What's Your Flava?
Blog: Wellington 2026 - Welcome to the Jungle
Weather Plays "Where's Waldo" as Holzer and Vaughn Win 2026 CDI Wellington Grand Prix Classes
National Rides Draw the Attention at the 2026 CDI Wellington