By Alice Collins for Wellington International
Wellington, Fla. – March 14, 2026—The 22-year-old Erin Nichols (USA) and her 17-year-old Elian Royale rounded off a glorious clean sweep with a 70.617% victory in Saturday’s Adequan® CDI3* Grand Prix Special after also winning Thursday’s qualifying class. Riding the Glock’s Johnson x Amidou gelding owned by Premiere Sport Horses, Nichols clinched her second win in Week 10 of the 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) under the strong Florida sun in Wellington. The youngest rider in the class of 13 starters by some margin, Nichols displayed a harmonious, uphill, and technically correct test, once again opting to use a snaffle bridle.
Erin Nichols & Elian Royale. Photo ©Centre Line Media
In a reversal of Thursday’s all-American top three result, Jordan LaPlaca climbed to second place, riding his own and Nancy Hutson’s Gold Play (Grey Flanell x Sir Donnerhall II). The 11-year-old Oldenburg—the youngest horse in the class—was contesting his third CDI Special and was awarded 69.894%. Two judges had the duo as winners of the class with over 70% despite errors in the one-time changes on the diagonal, thanks to the quality of the piaffe/passage.
Endel Ots and Zen Elite’s Bohemian (Bordeaux x Samarant) slotted into third with 68.596% after breaking to canter in the trot work but exhibiting uphill and consistent canter work. The duo, who were traveling reserves for the U.S. team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, recently returned to the competition ring after an 18-month absence.
Although Nichols is still eligible for U25, she and her coach Christoph Koschel opted to make the step up to senior ranks with Elian Royale to give her more ring mileage, and the decision is paying off in spades.
“It was surreal out there; you could hear the entire crowd get quiet and I was so in the moment on the last centerline,” said Nichols, who is originally from California but now bases herself in Wellington for winters and Durham, N.C., in the summer.
“I was so proud of Elian,” continued Nichols, whose groom Max Anker was awarded The Horse of Course-sponsored grooms award and $500 prize. “This is our first CDI of 2026, so we weren’t sure what to expect. We were just going to see what Elian would give us, and I’m a little speechless about the amazing result.
Erin Nichols & Elian Royale’s groom Max Anker was awarded The Horse of Course-sponsored grooms award and $500 prize. Photo ©Centre Line Media
“These grand prix tests really suit him, and today he seemed to enjoy himself, which makes me so happy. This was a special weekend, that’s for sure. Now that he’s 17, I’m making the most of every ride with him. We’ve become such great partners. It’s amazing to think of where we started and where we are now,” added Nichols, referring to the fact that Elian Royale was 13 and she a teenager when they began their journey at Young Riders, and climbed the ranks together.
“I hadn’t shown a Special in almost a year because we were doing freestyles all last summer, so I had to remember how to ride it,” she continued. “But I know that if I forget, Elian will know. Today—when I got on him—he was in a good mood, and that always gives me confidence.”
Erin Nichols & Elian Royale are presented as winners of the Adequan® CDI3* Grand Prix Special. Photo ©Centre Line Media
Koschel added, “What we wanted to show today was a very good example of harmonious, classical riding. Elian has a lot of power but can also be shy in the ring and a little spooky. Today, Erin gave him the confidence to perform in the test like he does in the training, and that gets rewarded.”
Nichols intends to contest a CDI in April before making a plan for the summer months, which may include returning to Europe to compete. In the meantime, she’ll allow herself a small family celebration for her banner weekend.
Watch The Winning Test
Click here for full results from the Adequan® CDI3* Grand Prix Special.
Competition in AGDF 10 concludes on Sunday, March 15. The last international show of the 2026 AGDF—the only FEI Dressage Nations Cup competition of the season—takes place during Week 11. AGDF, which holds seven weeks of CDI competition over three months, runs through March 29, 2026. For more information, results, and to watch all the classes in the International Arena live or on catch-up, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.
