Dominant display at Wellington CPEDI as British Team claims victory

Wellington CPEDI marked the end of the Wellington International Festival of Dressage (2–10 June 2026), showcasing top Para talent across three days at 1*, 2* and 3* level.

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjert | Kevin Sparrow 

British team members completed a highly successful Wellington CPEDI by claiming victory in the CPEDI3* team classification, adding Nations Cup honours to an already dominant week for the British contingent. The team, comprised of Lee Pearson with Breezer, Sophie Wells with LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, Nicola Naylor with Humberto L and Mari Durward-Akhurst, featured prominently on podiums across every grade and secured a series of personal bests and international victories. With these impressive results, the team collated a final total score of 448.550, finishing ahead of Ireland in second place on 416.277.

Mari Durward-Akhurst, currently ranked first in the Grade I FEI World Rankings and fifth in the overall Para FEI World Rankings, celebrated a hat-trick of wins in the 3* Grade I Grand Prix competition aboard Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart’s Athene Lindebjert. On the first day of competition, Mari took the win in the Grand Prix A with an international personal best of 78.125%, finishing ahead of Marjukka Manninen (FIN), Sarah Leitch (GBR) and Deborah Graf (AUT). She placed five percent ahead of Elan Williams, riding Ceris Williams’ Nalique, who finished second with 73.195%. Susanna Wade completed the all-British podium in third aboard her own Premier Royal Mint with 68.750%.

Tuesday brought forward yet another all-British podium, with Mari topping the Grand Prix B with a stunning 78.403%, opening up a near six percent lead over second place. “Wellington was a fantastic competition for us,” explained Mari. “Athene felt incredible all week, and to come away with 78% in both Grand Prix tests, 80% in the Freestyle, and to be part of the winning Nations Cup team is something I'm very proud of. It's a privilege and an honour to ride Athene, aka ‘The Duchess’. She’s an incredible mare, and the partnership we’ve built together is very special.

“The scores are a reflection of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, so a huge thank you to Di, Romilly, Rob, my parents and my wider support team, including the fantastic World Class Programme. The ultimate aim this year is the World Championships in Aachen, but for now we’re staying focused on the process and continuing to work hard to keep improving those scores.”

Elan Williams built on her success from day one, posting a score of 72.431% to finish second, showing growing confidence and consistency in the combination’s first international season together. Susanna Wade also built on her success from the first day to take third place with 69.722%. This podium success for the trio was repeated in Wednesday’s Freestyle, where Mari won with 80.756%, Elan was second with 76.856%, and Susanna third with 72.478%.

Elsewhere in the 3* competition, Sophie Wells, Lee Pearson and Nicola Naylor dominated their respective divisions, each taking hat-trick wins across the three days of competition. Nicola Naylor also competed in the Premier League competition with her own Moulin Rouge, where she won the TopSpec Medium 6 with 72.500%.

In the Grade IV Grand Prix series, Nicola campaigned Moulin Rouge alongside her own and Rosalind Emery Kay’s Humberto L, taking first and second place in both the Grand Prix A and B. With Moulin Rouge, Nicola secured top spot in both classes, scoring 73.194% and 73.153%, while she finished second on both days with Humberto L, posting 73.148% and 73.063% respectively.

On the final day, Nicola took Moulin Rouge forward to the Freestyle, where she claimed top spot with 76.550%, just under two percent ahead of Laura Scott with her own Cei Sumeer Days in second on 74.767%. Sara Louise Bates and her own Tango completed the podium in third with 69.342%.

Sophie Wells campaigned two horses: Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Egebjerggards Samoa and Emma Blundell’s MSJ Gold Standard. Aboard LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, Sophie won the Grade V Grand Prix A with 74.188% and finished second in the Grand Prix B with 71.623%. With MSJ Gold Standard, the duo finished second and first in the A and B tests, scoring 72.393% and 73.026% respectively. In the Freestyle, MSJ Gold Standard took the win with 76.667%, while Flossie England secured second place aboard her own Sankro with 67.250%.

Lee Pearson, riding his own, David Pearson, Lynda Pearson and Jenson Guest’s Breezer, contested the Grade II Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle, where the duo delivered a clean sweep of wins. In the Grand Prix A, Lee scored 72.184%, with Georgia Wilson finishing second on 70.690% aboard Sakura. Canadian rider Roberta Sheffield took third with Nardando on 69.253%.

In the Grand Prix B, Lee again led with 72.667%, followed by Georgia on 70.278% and Roberta on 70.111%. The Freestyle saw the same top three, with Lee scoring 76.956%, Georgia 75.456%, and Roberta 72.289%.

Grade III rider Erin Orford was the sole British representative in her division and secured three podium placings. Riding Carl Hester, Anne Barrott and Rowena Luard’s LJT Nutbush, Erin finished second in the Grand Prix A with 71.167%, just behind winner Kaie Reilley (IRL) on 72.444%.

In the Grand Prix B and Freestyle, however, Erin took victory in both classes with 71.889% and 76.422%, producing two international personal bests and continuing their upward trend this season.

In the 2* and 1* competitions, there were also encouraging results from exciting up-and-coming combinations. Grade V rider Alice Begg delivered a strong finish, posting 71.175% in the Intermediate Freestyle aboard her own Noraly. Similarly, Isabella Benfield demonstrated growing confidence across the three days, achieving a hat-trick of wins, including a Freestyle score of 71.322% with her own Lamborghini.

In the 1* competition, Grade V rider Loen Groom produced an extremely promising international debut, securing two wins in the Novice A and B tests with 68.333% and 66.833% aboard her own Dalito V.H. Trichelhof. However, in the Freestyle, Loen was beaten into second place by fellow British rider Hattie Spurling, who took the win aboard George Brooks’ Top Biats with 71.334%.

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.

Results- Top three

Monday 8 June

1*

Grade V Novice A

1. Loen Groom and Dalito V.H. Trichelhof, 68.333% (GBR)

2. Hattie Spurling and Top Biats, 67.417% (GBR)

2*

Grade I Intermediate A

1. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 66.250% (GBR)

Grade III Intermediate A

1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 66.984% (GBR)

2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau, 66.508% (GBR)

3. Jessica Pritchard and Earnshaws Kiss Me Quick, 65.397% (GBR)

Grade V Intermediate A

1. Alice Begg and Noraly, 69.345% (GBR)

3*

Grade I Grand Prix A

1. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 78.125% (GBR)

2. Elan Williams and Nalique, 73.195% (GBR)

3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 68.750% (GBR)

Grade II Grand Prix A

1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 72.184% (GBR)

2. Georgia Wilson and Sakura, 70.690% (GBR)

3. Roberta Sheffield and Nardando, 69.253% (CAN)

Grade III Grand Prix A

1. Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 72.444% (IRL)

2. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 71.167% (GBR)

3. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 68.834% (IRL)

Grade IV Grand Prix A

1. Nicola Naylor and Moulin Rouge, 73.194% (GBR)

2. Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, 73.148% (GBR)

3. Laura Scott and Cei Summer Days, 70.417% (GBR)

Grade V Grand Prix A

1. Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, 74.188% (GBR)

2. Sophie Wells and MSJ Gold Standard, 72.393% (GBR)

3. Flossie England and Sankro, 63.120% (GBR)

Tuesday 9 June

1*

Grade II Novice B

1. Lacey O’Hara and Blue Diamond, 66.667% (GBR)

Grade V Novice B

1. Loen Groom and Dalito V.H. Trichelhof, 66.833 % (GBR)

2. Hattie Spurling and Top Biats, 66.167% (GBR)

2*

Grade I Intermediate B

1. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 65.333% (GBR)

Grade III Intermediate B

1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 67.527% (GBR)

2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau, 66.989% (GBR)

3. Jessica Pritchard and Earnshaws Kiss Me Quick, 66.559% (GBR)

Grade V Intermediate B

1. Alice Begg and Noraly, 65.151% (GBR)

3*

Grade I Grand Prix B

1. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 78.403% (GBR)

2. Elan Williams and Nalique, 72.431% (GBR)

3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 69.722% (GBR)

Grade II Grand Prix B

1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 72.667% (GBR)

2. Georgia Wilson and Sakura, 70.278% (GBR)

3. Roberta Sheffield and Nardando, 70.111% (CAN)

Grade III Grand Prix B

1. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 71.889% (GBR)

2. Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 71.333% (IRL)

3. Rebecca Hart and Liberation, 71.000% (USA)

Grade IV Grand Prix B

1. Nicola Naylor and Moulin Rouge, 73.153% (GBR)

2. Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, 73.063% (GBR)

3. Laura Scott and Cei Summer Days, 70.856% (GBR)

Grade V Grand Prix B

1. Sophie Wells and MSJ Gold Standard, 73.026% (GBR)

2. Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, 71.623% (GBR)

3. Flossie England and Sankro, 64.211% (GBR)

Team Classification

1. Great Britain, 448.550

2. Ireland, 416.277

Wednesday 10 June

1*

Grade V Novice Freestyle

1. Hattie Spurling and Top Biats, 71.334% (GBR)

2. Loen Groom and Dalito V.H. Trichelhof, 71.200% (GBR)

2*

Grade I Intermediate Freestyle

1. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 67.745% (GBR)

Grade III Intermediate Freestyle

1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 71.322% (GBR)

2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau, 67.334% (GBR)

3. Jessica Pritchard and Earnshaws Kiss Me Quick, 67.056% (GBR)

Grade V Intermediate Freestyle

1. Alice Begg and Noraly, 71.175% (GBR)

3*

Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 80.756% (GBR)

2. Elan Williams and Nalique, 76.856% (GBR)

3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 72.478% (GBR)

Grade II Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 76.111% (GBR)

2. Georgia Wilson and Sakura, 75.456% (GBR)

3. Roberta Sheffield and Nardando, 72.289% (CAN)

Grade III Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 76.422% (GBR)

2. Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 76.300% (IRL)

3. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 72.245% (IRL)

Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Nicola Naylor and Moulin Rouge, 76.550% (GBR)

2. Laura Scott and Cei Summer Days, 74.767% (GBR)

3. Sara Louise Bates and Tango, 69.342% (GBR)

Grade V Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Sophie Wells and MSJ Gold Standard, 76.667% (GBR)

2. Flossie England and Sankro, 67.250% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS