British success shines at Wellington CDI 2026

Wellington CDI (2 June – 10 June) once again showcased a top-class display of British talent, producing dazzling results in an impressive field of combinations. 

Michael Eilberg and MSJ Encore at Wellington Premier League 2026 | Charlotte Bury Photography

1*

Gareth Hughes was the highest placed British rider in the opening Prix St George competition, finishing second aboard the Flamboyant Dressage Stud’s 10-year-old stallion Morricone III (Millennium x Rubin-Royal OLD). In front of judges Kjell Myhre (NOR), Patricia Wolters (NED) and Isobel Wessels (GBR), the combination scored 69.951% to finish just behind China’s Sarah Rao, who took the win on 71.471% riding her own Geniaal (Vivaldi x Biotop). On social media, Gareth described the stallion as “showing great consistency in the arena, and with the international judges praising his quality, the future is very exciting”. Michael Eilberg finished third aboard Nicky Hannam’s MSJ Encore (Escolar x Caprimond) with 69.706%.

Following on in the Intermediate I on Sunday, Michael went on to take the win with 72.696% in front of judges Alice Schwab (AUT), Isobel Wessels (GBR) and Susanne Baarup (DEN). “Eric is just a dream horse at this level. He’s a complete superstar and it was really lovely to have the opportunity to compete him at this show. I got a bit over ambitious with my second pirouette in the PSG and went to ride for 10 but ended with 3 after it got a bit too small, which cost us the win really. Going into the Inter I, I really felt the pressure of wanting to finish on a good note and I really think we did. The test was probably one of the best Inter Is we have done and there was very little to pick apart from it. He is due to go back to his owner, Nicky Hannam, who lives in Canada in the next couple of weeks, so this was our last ‘hurrah’. It was just really lovely to finish on such a good note. He’s the most gorgeous horse and a complete pleasure to have in the yard; he’s a big teddy bear and the light of the stables so it will be very sad to see him go and we wish Nicky all the best with him and hope she has all the success they deserve! A big thank you go to our team as well – we arrived on the Monday and didn’t arrive home until Sunday night, so it was a massive team effort”

3*

Following his success at the Fontainebleau 5* Nations Cup event, Carl Hester won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle riding Fiona Bigwood, Mette Dahl and his own Fame (Bordeaux 28 x Rhodium). In the Grand Prix, the duo finished with 78.261%, boasting a score sheet of eights and nines: “he’s really on an upward trajectory this year”, Carl commented, “He came out and produced his highest scores yet this season in both the Grand Prix and the Music, and produced his highest Freestyle score since Paris [2024] which is really promising. He’s just become such a reliable horse at this level so he will go off on a bit of a holiday now until July and then start to pick him up ready to work towards the World Championships in August”.

“Wellington is always a pleasure to compete at even if the weather is a bit unpredictable at times! It is such a high-quality competition and a well-run show. It is run like absolute clockwork with utmost professionalism; the team does an incredible job every year”

Just behind Carl, Fiona Bigwood and her homebred mare, Donna Bella (Don Juan de Hus x Gribaldi), finished second with 74.609%. Third place was taken by Charlotte Dujardin riding Ellie McCarthy, Spencer McCarthy and Bridget McCarthy’s Brave Heart (Bordeaux 28 x Blue Hors Zack), who finished with a score of 71.870%.

Carl also took the win in the Sunday Freestyle, where him and Fame took the win by a staggering 15%. Scoring an 80.300% technical score and 90.120% artistic mark, the duo finished on 85.210% ahead of Lewis Carrier who finished second on 70.305%. Lewis, riding Tricia Baker, Sarah Field and his own Rubico (Rubin Royal OLD x Stedinger), finished fourth in the Freestyle at Hickstead CDI in May with 68.09% and described this CDI as “much calmer than Hickstead!”. Despite horrendous rain the whole way through the test, Lewis reflected on his performance on social media, “Rubi produced some super trot work. The canter tour is a work in progress: trying to balance the quality of the canter versus control in the movement is our ongoing homework, but nothing time and experience won’t solve”.

In the Special, Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella produced a super test to finish on 73.447% with Charlotte Dujardin finishing a close second with 72.894%. Gareth Hughes finished third, riding Georgina Wilkinson, Rebecca Hughes and his own Mowgli-Olympia MC (Rousseau x Rubin Royal OLD) to score 71.489%. Mowgli, who has only competed in a handful of 3* events, produced his strongest performance to date, having finished fifth in the Grand Prix.

Thanks go to the organisers and team at Wellington for delivering a superbly run event, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout the competition.

Results- Top 10

Friday 5 June

1* Prix St Georges

1. Sarah Rao and Geniaal, 71.471% (CHN)

2. Gareth Hughes and Morricone III, 69.951% (GBR)

3. Michael George Eilberg and MSJ Encore, 69.706% (GBR)

4 Nynn Puttisombat and Rock That Tango, 68.971% (THA)

5. Shruti Vora and Magnanimous, 68.725% (IND)

6. Michelle Sabga-Aboud and Ruxton Uphoria, 68.578% (TTO)

7. Abbie Newbury and Seagry Firstamour, 67.696% (GBR)

8. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 67.549% (GBR)

9. Bryony Goodwin and Sheepcote Just Daisy, 67.500% (GBR)

10. Bryony Goodwin and Krack de, 67.108% (GBR)

3* Grand Prix

1. Carl Hester and Fame, 78.261% (GBR)

2. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella, 74.609% (GBR)

3. Charlotte Dujardin and Brave Heart, 71.870% (GBR)

4. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 71.435% (GBR)

5. Gareth Hughes and Mowgli-Olympia MC, 71.391% (GBR)

6. Henriette Andersen and Zackery, 70.174% (GBR)

7. Abigail Lyle and Giraldo, 69.761% (IRL)

8. Laura Tomlinson and Forest Hill, 69.195% (GBR)

9. Kevin Acres and Ganesh, 68.369% (IRL)

10. Richard Davison and Intero, 67.239% (GBR)

Saturday 6 June

3* Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Carl Hester and Fame, 85.210% (GBR)

2. Lewis Carrier and Rubico, 70.305% (GBR)

3. Thomas Bobis and Moliere de Massa, 69.565% (FRA)

4. Gregory Sims and Waverley Fellini, 66.880% (GBR)

3* Grand Prix Special

1. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella, 73.447% (GBR)

2. Charlotte Dujardin and Brave Heart, 72.894% (GBR)

3. Gareth Hughes and Mowgli-Olympia MC, 71.489% (GBR)

4. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 70.893% (GBR)

5. Henriette Andersen and Zackery, 68.808% (GBR)

6. Laura Tomlinson and Forest Hill, 68.405% (GBR)

7. Kevin Acres and Ganesh, 67.872% (IRL)

8. Abigail Lyle and Giraldo, 66.979% (IRL)

9. Bobby Hayler and Iconic, 65.425% (GBR)

10. Anu Sironen and Ypajan Fioretto, 65.298% (FIN)

Sunday 7 June

1* Intermediate I

1. Michael George Eilberg and MSJ Encore, 72.696% (GBR)

2. Gareth Hughes and Morricone III, 72.059% (GBR)

3. Shruti Vora and Magnanimous, 70.931% (IND)

4. Bryony Goodwin and Sheepcote Just Daisy, 68.627% (GBR)

5. Nynn Puttisombat and Rock That Tango, 68.431% (THA)

=6. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 67.941% (GBR)

=6. Sara Jane Lanning and Choice, 67.941% (GBR)

8. Sarah Wilkinson and Horacia, 66.912% (NZL)

9. Sarah Rao and Geniaal, 66.667% (CHN)

10. David Sheerin and Shanti 39, 66.275% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS