Saturday Night Lights at the Winter Equestrian Festival

McLain Ward and Catoki during their winning round or an Alan Wade designed course — McLain Ward and Catoki in winning form earlier at the Winter Equestrian Festival

(Image credit: Anne Gittins Photography)

Alan Wade’s courses begin with the use of a simple pencil and paper. But by the time the arena is lit and the course is ready for tonight’s Saturday Night Lights and the FEI CSI5* $406,000 grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival, the riders will walk the course to find a track that merits the occasion.

“Five star – is five star,” stated Alan, who has been the international arena course designer for the entire week 9. “People know what to expect.”

“I’m a huge fan of Alan’s,” said McLain. “For me, he’s the best in the world but we have a situation here in Wellington where it’s not just five-star jumping, it’s kind of on the max of five-star jumping. Particularly this year, because America’s open and you can compete so you’ve had this funneling of the best riders in the world coming here, which has raised the standard and the level considerably. So you’re seeing the courses at the max and you’re also seeing people have fast rounds and going into 25th place.”

Saturday Night Lights brings a whole new atmosphere to the international ring. “It’s a well-lit ring,” said Alan. “It’s quite a special occasion at night time. Sometimes horses actually jump a lot better when they get used to the lights, it actually improves them and they brighten up and other horses, especially younger horses, sometimes get a little nervous the first time. But that is why they have the smaller grands prix.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Sarah Eakin is an international equestrian journalist who writes for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including Horse & Hound, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph in the UK. A former Pony Club team member for dressage, showjumping and eventing, Sarah’s mother trained National Hunt horses and she and her three brothers also played polo. Formerly married to a US professional polo player, Sarah is currently based in Wellington, Florida.

Five star – is five-star! Riders will be tested in the Saturday Night Lights’ grand prix

Alan began designing tonight’s course two weeks ago and it was almost finished by yesterday afternoon. “The material I haven’t quite decided what I’m going to use where,” he said. “But the course is set in stone.”

You may also find interesting…

Showjumping superstar’s first auctioned embryo sells for five figures

McLain Ward wins again with ‘adrenaline junkie’ who isn’t ridden between classes

Martin Fuchs on comparing his horses to Clooney – and the importance of snacks – ahead of this week’s Dutch Masters