Photo Report: Throwback to the 2026 CDI-W Wellington

Shows

2026 CDI-W Wellington

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

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and as a journalist and one-woman-show managing Eurodressage I clearly seem to be walking on the wild side. In recent years I constantly have the feeling I'm running out of time and or not getting enough things done, while stubbornly declining and hiring help.

Oh, and I love to complain about how busy my life, particularly when I'm out of the office at a museum or lovely lunch with friends, chin-chining with a glass of champagne. I'm lucky and grateful for my job and the life I live.

But I am short in time !! While in Florida I had so many more plans for articles and photo reports and they never got written, particularly the last week I was there because I had a major computer issues going on which blocked me out of my laptop and photo archive. Total drama, but with the help of my friends, we made things work in the end.

Australian groom Kirra Avalon cuddling with Obama

The extra articles never arrived, but today and tomorrow I'll post two more photo galleries of some of my favourite photos from Florida and instead of another long-winded article that only a select few read (the majority just scrolls to the photos anyway).

Here is a gallery from the CDI-W weekend. Enjoy

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

Former U.S World nr 1 Laura Graves made her long awaited come back with two new Grand Prix horses that weekend. This is Java Dulce

Laura Graves on the Hanoverian stallion Sole Mio (by Stanford x Donnerschwee). He presented a lovely silhouette but was not very willing to piaffe

Laura Graves on Dutch fire cracker Java Dulce (by Jazz x Deemster)

Australian pony rider Abby Weel on Reitland's Obama. She also showed Espe in the young riders' division instead of going for junior level

U.S. Grand Prix rider Katherine Bateson-Chandler

A pop of colour: Nicole Acosta on Cali

Young rider Laila Edwards on KWPN mare Farah Jade (by Casantos x Gagson Wimborn AA)

Charell Garcia on young horse MW Royalty (by Viva Gold X Royal Prince)

Rebecca Waite on pony Fox Creek's Toadally Pony (yes that's his name) - by Fox Creek's Toadilas x FS Daddy Cool

Ben Ebeling on Frank Jacques

Look who's back: Canadian Shannon Dueck on the 9-year old Materos JV (by High Five US x Krack C)

Nail scratches on the muzzle

Ashley Holzer warmed up Inspire in the national Grand Prix for owner and rider Naima Moreira Laliberté to take him over the week after for the CDI medium tour

Arlene Page on Jimagine de Massa (by Maestro JGB x Munchhausen)

Wellington based Katie Duerrhammer competed Vividus QRE in the national ring at two shows this winter before doing their first CDI of the year away from the spotlight at TerraNova in April.

Katie Duerrhammer on Rosebank VH (by Revolution x Dalwhinnie)

American junior rider Eve Boswell on Golden Romance Malleret PS (by Governor x Sir Donnerhall)

Cute puppy Shadow

Shadow

Working that bling

Popping over to The Ridge on Loxahatchee for a hunter/jumping show

Pretty in pink

Jane Cleveland's 4-year old Oldenburg bred Malena (by Morricone x Fidertanz) in her first schooling show as a hunter