News
Wellington Autumn CPEDI closes the season with standout results
- Written By: British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
- Published: Thu, 15 Oct 2026 18:00
The Wellington Autumn International (5 – 11 October) kicked off with CPEDI competition, as para riders from across the country travelled to compete in the final domestic 1*, 2* and 3* CPEDI competition of the year.
Elan Williams had an outstanding week in the 3* competition with Ceris Williams’ Nalique (Ferdeaux x Serano Gold). Aboard the eight-year-old mare, who is known as Nellie at home, Elan achieved a hattrick result in the Grade I Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle competition, scoring 73.820% and 72.569% in the straight tests, before rounding off their week with a whopping 76.667% in the Freestyle. This Welsh duo have had a super season since making their debut at Myerscough back in January – the pair have not slipped below a 70% score all season, including at the Hickstead, Wellington and Hartpury CPEDI’s earlier in the year. They also competed at the Para Gold Semi-Finals at Hartpury, where they finished second in the Grade I Grand Prix B competition on 70.21% and secured their place at the LeMieux National Championships. At the Nationals, they finished in second in place on 71.18% in the Equissage Pulse Grade I Grand Prix B final.
Reflecting on their success throughout the week, Elan told us that “Wellington felt like the perfect way to finish our first season together. A real highlight was scoring a nine for our halt on the first day, as it’s something we’ve worked really hard on throughout the summer. More than anything, though, I loved how much we felt like a true partnership between the white boards, trusting each other and enjoying every moment.
“Nellie arrived in December 2025, and these first ten months together have been some of the best of my life. If I were a horse, I’m convinced I’d be Nellie — we’re both completely food-driven! She’s been such a pleasure to get to know and ride, and she’s already taught me so much.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Elan explained that “I’m excited to build on what we’ve learnt this season, strengthen our partnership and see how far we can go together. We’ll keep working hard over the winter, with the aim of coming out stronger and more confident next year. I have big hopes for us, but enjoying the journey with her is just as important to me. Wellington is always one of my favourite shows, and this time was particularly special. Finishing the season feeling that all our hard work is coming together means so much, and I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come in such a short time.”
Elan credits her success to the incredible support team around her, as “none of this would have been possible without them: my parents; my coach John Norcross; Lindsey McDonald, who wears so many hats as groom, rider and lorry driver; and everyone at Allostock Hall Equestrian. So much goes on behind the scenes to get us into that arena, and I’m really grateful to everyone who has been part of our first season together.”
Georgia Wilson also achieved a hattrick result, taking a clean sweep in the 3* Grade II competition aboard her own Koningin Rava LH (Lord Leatherdale x Negro). Their scores climbed steadily over the three days in the Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle, where they achieved 72.012%, 73.167% and 76.578% respectively.
Laura Scott took two out of three wins in the Grade IV 3* competition, winning the Grand Prix A and Freestyle and finishing second in the Grand Prix B. Aboard her own CEI Summer Days (Summertime Blues x LDB Hotline), the nine-year-old British Hanoverian scored an international personal best in the Grand Prix A competition with 71.204%, and won the Freestyle by just under three percent on 72.375%. The Grand Prix B was won by Laura Gulliver on Lesley Hughes’ Serupgards Sassicia (Fürstenball x Blue Hors Romanov), who scored 70.225% in the pair’s debut CPEDI competition.
Grade V rider Alice Begg was the next person to take a clean sweep of wins across the competition, scoring 67.564%, 67.938% and 63.242% in the Grade V Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle aboard her own Noraly (Secret x Everdale).
In the 2* competition, Amanda Shirtcliffe returned to the international stage for the first time since 2023 aboard her own 11-year-old gelding Kirkstall Spirit (Big Bad Bob x Bering). This combination only made their BD debut back in June of this year, where they competed in the Bury Farm PYO classes, finishing first and second. Across the three days at Wellington, Amanda took three wins of 65.209%, 65.750% and 68.156% in the Grade I Intermediate A, B and Freestyle competition. Taking to social media, Amanda posted “A massive thank you to everyone who’s supported us, cheered us on and sent lovely messages. Being back inside those white boards, riding under the British flag with Timmy, has been just the tonic I needed.”
Meanwhile in the 2* Grade IV competition, Fiona Maynard made her international debut aboard her own six-year-old gelding Valhallah WD (Valverde x Sir Donnerhall I), scoring 67.333% in their opening Intermediate A test.
In the 1* competition, Amy Mayho also competed across the three days in the Grade IV Novice A, B and Freestyle competition, achieving 63.583%, 61.083% and 64.850% respectively with her own Evie Trinity Lass.
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 three
Tuesday 7 October
1*
Grade IV Novice A
1. Amy Mayho and Evie, 63.583% (GBR)
2*
Grade I Intermediate A
1. Amanda Shirtcliffe and Kirkstall Spirit, 65.209% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate A
1. Fiona Maynard and Valhallah WD, 67.333% (GBR)
3*
Grade I Grand Prix A
1. Elan Williams and Nalique, 73.820% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Watermill Cruise, 71.180% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix A
1. Georgia Wilson and Koningin Rava LH, 72.012% (GBR)
2. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 71.552% (GBR)
3. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song, 69.598% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Laura Scott and CEI Summer Days, 71.204% (GBR)
2. Laura Gulliver and Serupgards Sassicaia, 67.731% (GBR)
3. Katie Radzik and Korsgards Tempt-Hit, 66.852% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix A
1. Alice Begg and Noraly, 67.564% (GBR)
Wednesday 7 October
1*
Grade IV Novice B
1. Amy Mayho and Evie, 61.083% (GBR)
2*
Grade I Intermediate B
1. Amanda Shirtcliffe and Kirkstall Spirit, 65.750% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate B
1. Fiona Maynard and Valhallah WD, 55.543% (GBR)
3*
Grade I Grand Prix B
1. Elan Williams and Nalique, 72.569% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Watermill Cruise, 71.319% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix B
1. Georgia Wilson and Koningin Rava LH 73.167% (GBR)
2. Suzanna Hext and Inferno 72.000% (GBR)
3. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 71.389% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Laura Gulliver and Serupgards Sassicaia, 70.225% (GBR)
2. Laura Scott and CEI Summer Days, 70.090% (GBR)
3. Sara Louise Bates and Tango, 67.748% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix B
1. Alice Begg and Noraly, 67.938% (GBR)
Thursday 8 October
1*
Grade IV Novice Freestyle
1. Amy Mayho and Evie, 64.850% (GBR)
2*
Grade I Intermediate Freestyle
1. Amanda Shirtcliffe and Kirkstall Spirit, 68.156% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate Freestyle
1. Fiona Maynard and Valhallah WD, 56.959% (GBR)
3*
Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Elan Williams and Nalique, 76.667% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Watermill Cruise, 72.700% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Georgia Wilson and Koningin Rava LH 76.578% (GBR)
2. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 76.400% (GBR)
3. Suzanna Hext and Inferno 74.278% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Laura Scott and CEI Summer Days, 72.375% (GBR)
2. Katie Radzik and Korsgards Tempt-Hit, 69.409% (GBR)
3. Sara Louise Bates and Tango, 69.233% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Alice Begg and Noraly, 63.242% (GBR)
