Wellington, Fla. – March 12, 2026—Two Grand Prix classes featured 24 big tour horses down centerline on the first day of Week 10 at the 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL, with U.S. riders emerging victorious in both. Erin Nichols and Elian Royale claimed the blue ribbon with a new personal best in a tight contest in the Adequan® CDI3* Grand Prix.

(Photo: Erin Nichols & Elian Royale. Photo ©Centre Line Media)

In the 15-strong, “a really cool journey” bore fruit for Erin Nichols (USA), who served up a personal best of 69.609% on Premiere Sport Horses’ Elian Royale, by Johnson. She presented the 17-year-old gelding in a snaffle for the first time and was rewarded with a relaxed, attentive ride.

A Relaxed, Attentive Ride

“I’m a little speechless,” admitted the 23-year-old, who has been riding Elian for four years, during which time they have traveled the world to compete. “We came wanting to get more experience. Elian has taught me so much over the levels, from Young Riders, then U25 and now senior grand prix.

Really Cool Journey

“Now he’s 17, and we’re going with the flow and enjoying the time we have together,” added Nichols, who is originally from California and now spends winter seasons in Wellington training with Cristoph Koschel. “We’ve been on a really cool journey and, clearly, it’s not over yet. Elian is such a character of a horse that even just riding him at home, going on hacks is super special.”

The idea to tackle the test in a snaffle bridle only materialized a week before the show, and Nichols decided to “just take a shot at it. And I really like the feeling.” Nichols plans to contest a couple more CDIs before making definite plans for the rest of 2026.

Watch the winning performance:

 

Nichols spearheaded a U.S. one-two-three-four in the class. Just 0.08 percentage points separated Endel Ots and Jordan LaPlaca in the remaining podium spots. Ots came out on top on the leaderboard, though three of the five judges placed LaPlaca ahead of him.

In their second show back following an international break of more than 18 months, Ots guided Zen Elite’s Bohemian to 68.674% with pleasing piaffe and passage, but mistakes in the one-time changes—which carry a doubling coefficient—were awarded fours from all five judges. Ots and the 16-year-old Bohemian (Bordeaux x Samarant) were the reserves for the U.S. team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In contrast, LaPlaca’s horse, Gold Play, is only just beginning his journey at international grand prix. This marks the 11-year-old Grey Flanell gelding’s third big tour CDI. A jumbled start to the zig-zag in an otherwise clean test cost LaPlaca valuable marks in another movement that also counts for double. They finished on 68.587%.

Laura Graves, who is now based in Wellington, made a welcome return to the CDI grand prix ring after an absence of almost seven years, having last competed at the level at the 2019 World Cup™ Final on Verdades. Graves is now back in action with Leslie Waterman’s Java Dulce. The 15-year-old Jazz gelding wobbled enthusiastically around the test for 65.913% and ninth place.

Click HERE for full results from the Adequan® CDI3* Grand Prix.