by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 12, 2026
For the thirteenth time since the world dressage championships began in 1966, Germany took team gold. The honors earned Thursday were even more special because they came at home in Aachen.
The victorious German team: Isabell Werth, Fredric Wandres, Raphael Netz, Katharina Hemmer and chef d’equipe Klaus Roeser.
It was, however, a narrow victory. Great Britain threatened to take the top prize, but by 3.618 points wound up with silver for the fourth time in the history of the title meet. A couple of mishaps in World Cup Champion Becky Moody’s test on Jaegerbomb Tuesday appears to have made the difference.
British strategist Carl Hester demonstrated his ability as a technician and an artist to get everything possible out of Fame, with whom he is seventh individually on 77.314 percent. He held the lead for only a few minutes, however, before Germany’s Katharina Hemmer came in on Denoix PCH and overtook him. But Carl was understandably proud of how it went.
“We just needed a good score and, over the past few days, I’ve been sat watching my best tests I’ve ever done to prepare, all the time thinking ‘nail this, nail this, watch this,’ ” he reported.
“It really worked for me in my head but, more to the point, I think I’m so much more able to direct my sight to the horse, and the horse reacted absolutely beautifully. We’ve watched him over the years get calmer and calmer, and today was possibly one of the calmest tests he’s ever done,” said Carl.
“He really didn’t bat an eyelid, but it actually gave me a lift going in there. I suddenly felt confident because he didn’t react negatively at all to any of the noise, so off I went and enjoyed my test,” said Carl, conceding that the last few weeks of build-up had been stressful.
Denmark, the defending champions, finished third. That team was led by a bravura 82.376 percent performance from world number one-ranked Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle. That combination was just ahead of former world number one, Justin Verboomen of Belgium and Zonik Plus (80.885), who did not give his very best performance. The two are expected to battle it out for gold in the Freestyle on Saturday if they make it through Friday’s Grand Prix Special, as one assumes they will.
And the only other competitor to earn over 80 percent, reigning world champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain in third place, also should be considered a threat individually. Riding the glamorous Glamourdale (who receives 10s for his signature extended canter) she helped in a big way to boost her nation to the second spot on the podium.
“Glamourdale was just incredible. That was the most amazing feeling I’ve ever had in the ring,” Lottie reported
“We had a small misunderstanding and I just kind of threw him into that first piaffe, which was a shame because the rest of them were really good – the one on the center line was just incredible. The whole test was just the best feeling.
“He absolutely loves Aachen and he always goes well here, I’ve never have a bad ride here, touch wood, and he was just insane in that arena. He loved every second of it and he loved the crowd at the end – he wanted to go right up to them. It was so cool. I’m excited to bring that back for the Special, because not much else can be better. He was just amazing,” she said.
The U.S. was eighth with only one rider, 23-year-old Christian Simonson Fleau de Baian, qualifying to be among the 30 starters qualified for the Special. He was tied for twenty-fifth with Pan Am Games champ Julio Mendoza Loor of Ecuador (Jewel’s Gold Strike). Christian’s teammate, Kasey Perry-Glass, finished thirty-first with Heartbeat WP to miss by one heartbreaking placing, but has a chance to make the cut if someone withdraws.
Christian, who is still eligible for the Young Rider ranks, was understandably awed by being center stage is a legendary equestrian venue.
“It felt surreal. to go into that atmosphere. I’m a little speechless, honestly,” he said after his ride.
“I’ll never forget the cheering, the applause. It was really special.”
His mount of two years, known as Felix, formerly was ridden by the Dutch team’s Adelinde Cornelissen. Christian has developed his own style of dealing with the KWPN stallion, who is by Jazz.
“I try to be incredibly present with him,” the rider explained.
Christian Simonson and Fleau de Baian (USEF photo)
“I know i can do my best job if i don’t worry about anything else other than how can i do the best job for him at that moment, in this movement and just try to do my personal best for the feeling I would like.
“That just fills my thoughts so much I usually don’t have much more room to think about anything else.”
His mark of 71.304 was a personal best for the Grand Prix with Felix.
Christian Simonson and Felix after their test.
The top six teams — the podium group followed by Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden, earned their ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The U.S. is already qualified as the home team. Other countries aspiring to those Games have the possibility of different routes to try, such as next year’s Pan American Games and European Championships.
The final rider for the U.S., Ashley Holzer, performed last in the class. Riding Hawtins San Floriana, she tied for forty-third place on 68.711 percent, but was her usual upbeat self, praising her horse.
“She’s such an amazing mare and great partner of mine,” said Ashley, who trains with Carl Hester.
“I knew the atmosphere would be a little tense for her. I tried to relax her. This mare tried her heart out. It’s a tough ring for a lot of horses, and she really was a great girl.
“I knew it was going to be a lot of electricity in the air with the crowd, being with these top riders before me, and i think that affected me a little bit more than i would honestly like to admit to people. But I had a great team behind me that really helped me.”
Germany’s team trainer, Monica Theodorescu, said she had a good night’s sleep because Germany led after Tuesday’s competition on the scores of Frederic Wandres and Ralph Netz.
“There was nothing to worry about,” said Monica, who praised Katharina’s ride on the USA-owned Denoix PCH, coming close to 80 percent with a personal best mark of 79.224 percent.
“At a championship like this, you want everything to come together, and when it does, it is amazing. Denoix was very cool. We can really rely on each other and he tried his heart out,” said Katharina.
Monica added with a smile, “We want to call her hammerer and not Hemmer any more because she gave an absolute fantastic ride. The horse was just shining and so beautiful, so that made everything pretty safe.
“But of course, Isabell (Werth on Wendy de Fontaine) at the end topped it even more so. The team was absolutely great these two days.”
Collecting yet another gold medal for her record-breaking stash of same, Isabell, fourth with 79.876 percent, commented, “Each time, it’s new and each time something can happen, but she was affected about the atmosphere, but I was very pleased with her.”
There are a few little things she wants to fix, like an error in the one-tempi changes, perhaps.
“Hopefully, we can sort it out till Friday, but it was super good because we had a very strong team. Wendy was a controlled risk. It worked, so we have another gold,” Isabell concluded.
Thinking back to the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games at the venue, Isabell noted, “to come back after 20 years, it means a lot of things happened in between. To realize you could move with the time, with the development of the sport, it makes me really proud and happy.”
Click here for individual results. Click here for team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 11, 2026
The multi-faceted Sally Ike has just been notified that she will be inducted into the U.S. Eventing Hall of Fame this December, but her achievements go far beyond eventing.
Sally Ike, course designer, one of her many roles in equestrian sport
She was a pillar of equestrian sport governance, spending more than three decades serving with the U.S. Equestrian Team, the American Horse Shows Association and its successor, the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Her roles included being the manager of U.S. show jumping for many years, and then going on to serve as director of licensed officials.
A licensed official herself, she has been a technical delegate, a steward and course designer. She also was chairman of the Essex Foxhounds.
Giving young people a leg up, she was involved with the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program and instrumental in the USEA Young Event Horse program. Her dedication to education, horsemanship, and organizational leadership was recognized with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sally Ike in her eventing days on Roxboro, winner of the Essex Horse Trials
The Hunterdon County, New Jersey, resident began competing in eventing in the 1960s and was short-listed for the 1968 U.S. Olympic eventing team with her horse, Evening Mail. For half a century, her service and commitment to developing opportunities for horses and riders have left a lasting mark on eventing and other horse sports in the USA.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 11, 2026
Germany marched right up to the head of the standings as the FEI World Dressage Championships got underway Tuesday, with strong performances from its most junior rider, Raphael Netz, third on Great Escape Camelot (73.338) and veteran Frederic Wandres, in the lead with Bluetooth Old (75.963).
And when the medal competition resumes Wednesday with the second half of the class, it has even better prospects as its two top competitors, Catherine Hemmer (Denoix PCH) and the legendary Isabell Werth (Wendy de Fontaine) perform.
Team standings are, of course, up in the air until everyone has ridden, but at the moment, Germany is 2.143 points ahead of second-place Great Britain, the other country that is favored as a contender for the gold. British FEI World Cup Champion Becky Moody on her homebred Jaegerbomb (73.20) was the score that counted for her side, but that number was less than expected from such an experienced pair..
In the unique atmosphere of Aachen, their performance started on the wrong foot with a halt that was a bit of a rolling stop, to earn 42 percent. Then her horse broke into canter as she extended the trot.
“We didn’t get off to the best start in the world. He was just a little too excited and distracted when we went in there, so we didn’t have a very good first halt and we had a break in our first extension because I didn’t quite have the balance where I needed it,” Becky mused.
“But we pulled it back and we still got some really good bits, and he came back to me really well. You can’t focus on the mistakes – you have to think about where you can try and pull it back.”
The other British mark, Fiona Bigwood’s (Donna Bella) 69.348 was listed (like Netz’s score) as a drop score because only the top three scores count for a team and all will be adjusted before the medal presentation. So on the official standings, Germany and Britain are 1-2, while Denmark — a gold medal possibility and the only country besides Germany to have two riders score more than 70 percent — stands fifth on the best of its plus-70 scores.
Fiona hasn’t ridden for the team since the 2016 Rio Olympics. Atterupgaards Orthilla, her mount in Rio a decade ago, is 10-year-old Donna’ Bella’s dam.
Orthilla also was 10 Fiona rode her at the European Championships at Aachen in 2015.
“It’s really nice to bring her daughter here and do the same thing in their first years of Grand Prix. They’re both very similar to ride – they both go and try their hardest, and so it’s lovely,” she said.
To sum up her performance, a delighted Fiona exclaimed; “I love that mare – the right brain and talent, a heart of gold, never does anything wrong, just tries her heart out. Almost tries too hard for you!” That probably was the reason she added two more one-tempis to her line of what was supposed to be 14 changes.
Carl Hester will ride Fame, who also belongs to Fiona, when he appears in the ring Wednesday, 36 years after he first appeared in a world championship. Last to go for Britain will be reigning world champion Lottie Fry and Glamourdale, trying to snatch the gold from Germany.
Carl Hester and Lottie Fry watching the action at Aachen.
The U.S., which was not expected to be anywhere near the podium, stands eighth of 17 teams on veteran Kasey Perry-Glass’s tactfully ridden 70.606 percent performance. Meagan Davis, called up to the team for her first international championship just last week, did well under those circumstances, with 67.624 percent on Toronto Lightfoot.
Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig said she felt good about both riders’ performances, explaining, “I think Meagan, definitely being a rookie at an event of this magnitude, did a beautiful job. There’s so much more to come from that pair. This is just the tip of the iceberg for her.”
Standing twenty-fifth individually, Meagan does not have a chance of coming back on Friday for the Grand Prix Special, the test for individual honors which takes only the top 30 riders from the starting field of 91.
Kasey was a team Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalist with her longtime partner, Dublet, but Heartbeat WP is a far less experienced mount. Even so, she stands a respectable eleventh on 70.606 percent and is likely to make the Special.
Kasey Perry-Glass and Heartbeat WP
Speaking about Kasey, Christine enthused, “What a wonderful rider she is, aiding the horse so kindly, light aids. She had a solid test and showed us she is aiming to tap into his potential in the Special. She definitely showed us how much experience she has.”
Kasey said she was just looking for a “clean, consistent solid test from him. I am so proud of him; that was the biggest atmosphere he’s been in and the biggest I’ve been in. I’ve been to a couple of Games, but this is just something else,” she noted, citing the aura that Aachen delivers in a big way.
The opening ceremonies Tuesday night underlined how special Aachen is, with scores of horses choreographed to the delight of the capacity crowd, as team members and fantasy figures mingled on the grass field.
Horses played a big role in the world championships opening ceremonies.
Kasey also was named to the team late in the game, just a few days before Meagan, so she had a task on her hands with a horse that she still is developing.
“I had to really figure out what makes him tick different than Dublet did,” said Kasey, whose formula involves lots of turnout, trail rides and hand-grazing.
“It’s been a journey with Heart. Going into this, I had to almost center my emotions and keep everything super-quiet for him in my own attitude. He stays there right with me when I do that.
“Dublet, I could go in and kind of push and ask for more from him. Heart will offer more the more I kind of let him build. He needs a little bit of that confidence from me to kind of hold his hand and stay quiet.
“We have so many emotions in our sport. As an athlet, you always want to go in there and just go for it. it’s a challenge to learn how to stay that center pillar for him. I’m proud of myself for figuring that out and what works for him. He’s an emotional horse, he really picks his people. He really picks his emotions. to be able to put down a solid test like that in atmosphere like this, I’m so proud of him.”
Click here for world championship team standings. Click here for individual standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 3, 2026
The FEI’s monthly dressage standings have just come out, and the names at the top of the list offer the promise of a memorable world championship this month, with two horse/rider combinations having equal likelihood of earning top honors individually.
The gold is most likely to go either to Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (Mount St. John Freestyle) or Belgian sensation Justin Verboomen (Zonik Plus). They each have taken turns as number one. This month, Cathrine rose from twenty-ninth to take that spot, with Justin (number one) last month, right behind. Their mounts are, not surprisingly 1-2 on the 3-star and above horse list.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle
Reigning world champion Lottie Fry is third in the rider rankings while her Glamourdale holds the same position in the horse hierarchy. Germany’s Isabell Werth (Wendy de Fontaine) is number four, followed by Becky Moody of Great Britain (Jagerbomb). Her compatriot, Carl Hester (Fame) stands sixth.
The highest-ranked U.S. horse ridden by an American is Christian Simonson’s star, Indian Rock, at number 13. Indian Rock is resting, however, and won’t be part of the U.S. team. Christian is riding Fleau de Baian, number 76 on the horse roster, at Aachen.
His teammate, Genay Vaughn (Gino), who dropped off the U.S. world championships team, is number 40 on the rider list.
Helix, ridden by the USA’s Adrienne Lyle, is number 51 on the horse list, but the three-time Olympian did not apply to be on the world championships team.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2026
Olivia Sweetnam and JJ Torano, two children of professional equestrians, have been named to ride in the youth competition being held during the Aachen world championships this month. Both already have made their mark in grands prix despite being in their teens.
The daughter of Irish rider Shane Sweetnam and his wife, Ali, Olivia will be competing on Gilona AO, a KWPN mare. JJ, the son of Jimmy and Danielle Torano, is set to ride the Hanoverian stallion Lyon 50 over the 1.45-meter fences Aug. 21-23.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 4, 2026
The new Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge at Fairview Partners Dressage at Devon this September will give riders between the ages of 14 and 18 a chance to win $5,000 in cash and a variety of other prizes.
The new competition, believed to offer the largest cash prize in U.S. youth dressage, will debut Sept. 27, the final day of this year’s show.
Participants will compete in both the Dressage Seat Equitation and Junior Handler classes, with the highest combined score winning the overall championship. In addition to the cash prize to the champion, other prizes will be awarded through eighth place and will include gift certificates for various products, including boots and a customized helmet.
“It’s no secret that our sport faces a few significant challenges. One, how do we get more youth excited about dressage at a younger age?, ” asked the show’s president, Nicole DelGiorno.
“Two, how do we develop the next generation of handlers and get riders interested in sporthorse breeding early on? And three, how do we celebrate and elevate the backbone of the sport, and ensure there is a next generation to pass the baton to one day?”
She explained, “The Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge was our way of addressing some of these challenges. Exceptional horsemanship, especially at the foundational levels, is something that deserves to be rewarded in a serious way. I think the $5,000 prize makes it clear that we want to invest in the future of our community.”
The format of this groundbreaking event reflects the kind of equestrian the program is intended to recognize. That’s not simply the young person with the most advanced horse, but rather, one who can ride effectively, present a horse beautifully and safely, and demonstrate a broader understanding of horsemanship.
Dressage4Kids was a natural partner for the inaugural program. Founded by Olympian Lendon Gray, the organization has spent more than two decades developing young riders through education that places horsemanship, responsibility and long-term development ahead of short-term results.
When asked about how the Youth Challenge dovetails with the mission of Dressage4Kids, Lendon said, “Dressage4Kids is definitely set up for the overall education of the rider, not just to focus on competition. The Youth Challenge makes it so that those riders who maybe don’t have the fancy horses get their chance to come and really prove that they’re becoming horsemen.”
Emelia Lewis is a young rider local to Devon, Pa., and a Youth Challenge-hopeful. When asked what the financial development means to her, she said, “I think this new class presents an exciting opportunity for a wide range of horses and riders.
“For those who may not have the ability to compete in a CDI environment, it offers the chance to still experience that elevated level of competition and atmosphere. I also believe it is incredibly important to highlight a rider’s ability to properly handle and present a horse from the ground. I am truly excited about the addition of this class and look forward to the opportunity to participate in it!”
The Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge is part of a broader effort to make Sunday at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon even more welcoming to families, while giving the next generation a visible place within one of the country’s best-known dressage competitions.
“We already have wonderful Sunday programming for young people with our very popular Dressage Explorers program,” Nicole said.
“There are so many things to take part in, from our famous stick horse ride to face painting to fascinating presentations from equine experts to children’s games. But we wanted kids to see that there is an attainable pathway for them here. Maybe today they are riding a stick horse down centerline, but one day they may be riding a Grand Prix horse under the lights in the Dixon Oval. The Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge gives them their first stepping stone.”
Interestingly, giving prize money for equitation is a hot topic in the hunter/jumper ranks. The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association held a forum last month on the subject that brought out advocates both for and against the concept. Prize money is not allowed in hunter/jumper equitation, but Nicole said there is no rule against it in dressage.
Those in favor of having prize money in hunter/jumper seat equitation felt with the high costs of horse-keeping, training and competition, it is important for riders to get a financial boost. Trainers also benefit financially for the classes under some formats. And others pointed out that prize money could be extended to adult amateur equitation, but someone else mentioned that might run afoul of the amateur rule.
Those against the idea of hunter/jumper equitation prize money felt it could lead to over-use of horses.
“Any time you introduce money into a horse event, the horses are the ones who take the brunt of it,” said Geoff Teall, an author, judge and trainer.
“Philosophically, I think the money for children is wrong.”
Sissy Wickes, chair of USHJA’s joint equitation task force, spoke in favor of the idea, saying she didn’t think horses would be used more because of the financial incentive, noting the idea would be to “provide some relief for the cost of horse showing.”
USHJA President Britt McCormick emphasized that no rule proposal is under consideration to allow prize money in equitation.
“The purpose of that virtual Town Hall was not to introduce a rule change, but rather to have the conversation before any proposal was developed and to determine whether the idea merited further discussion,” Britt explained.
“That is the purpose of all our Town Halls. The goal is simple: to promote discussion and create opportunities for members to engage in meaningful conversations together about issues affecting our sport. These in-person Forums and virtual Town Halls are intended to give all members a voice early in the process, so we can better understand different viewpoints before ideas advance any further.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 9, 2026
The Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland once again showed off the genius of Irish course designer Alan Wade, as he produced a thriller of a nine-horse jump-off from a field of 40 in Sunday’s class worth $1.155 million.
The first round in Dublin, as produced by the man who will lay out the fences for the LA 28 Olympics, offered plenty of suspense also. World number one and FEI World Cup champion Kent Farrington of the USA, who seemed to enjoy an edge on the remarkable Greya, clipped a back rail at the C element of the triple combination to wind up fourteenth with four faults.
Looking toward LA28, Kent carefully conserves Greya, who was not part of the victorious U.S. team in Friday’s Nations Cup. (Click here to read about it.)
Kent’s perspective on LA28 also is why he bowed out of team consideration for the world championships later this month.
No U.S. rider made the tiebreaker. Best-placed in eleventh, the second-fastest of the 4-faulters, was Natalie Dean with Acota M. Natalie was a late call-up to the U.S. squad for the championships with Mr. Boombastic, the horse she rode on the squad that took the Aga Khan trophy in the Nations Cup.
Laura Kraut, the winner of the grand prix on Bisquetta last year when there was no jump-off, did not have the same kind of luck this time around on Una Mariposa. After a splash in the water jump during the first round, her mare crashed into the green wall obstacle and disarranged it. With no point in continuing, she withdrew.
As always, there was hope for an Irish winner at the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds (where the Anglesea stands have been beautifully remodeled along the grass field for extra visual impact).
The grass arena showed off a variety of fences, which you can read about in the Nations Cup article linked four paragraphs up). The rails fell all around the course, and more than one hoof touched water, as everyone strove to make the 80-second time allowed, which 10 competitors were unable to accomplish.
Alan Wade
The first fence in the class was a vertical flanked by horseheads, and it had no groundline, which offered a challenge, as did the Holy Cross Abbey windows on either side of another vertical. Appropriately, the triple combination, and the final fence of the class after it were all in Rolex yellow and green. The literature fence, with a cover of James Joyce’s Ulysses on the side, was a narrow obstacle that caught more than its share of errors.
Jordan Coyle, who has had an amazing week, including helping the Irish team to second place in the Nations Cup and tying for victory with Rachel Proudley in the puissance Saturday night, as well as other top prizes, came close to delivering the grand prix for his homeland. But his clear tiebreaker round in 39.27 seconds on Chaccolino wound up less than two seconds short of what would be the winning trip.
That belonged to 2012 Olympic individual gold medalist Steve Guerdat of Switzerland in 37.81 seconds on Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, a Belgian warmblood who has been Steve’s consistent partner. The son of Bamako de Muze helped his rider realize a longtime dream, as he carried him to the fourth Swiss victory in the class since 2017.
Steve Guerdat realized a dream in Dublin.
“I’m aware of the history of that class and that’s why it means so much to me, besides the prize money. That’s the reason I do the sport,” said Steve, ranked sixteenth in the world.
“I try every year, really hard, but my name was not on the list yet. But I kept on trying and trying. I didn’t have the best of the week, but today is an amazing day for sure and one to remember for me.
“It’s about 15 or 20 years I come here and I try hard every year. And every year to leave that ring as a loser on Sunday, I feel like I let the people down That class always meant a lot to me. I always thought I would not stop my career until I could put that class on my list. That is one I will remember. Thank you, Dublin.”
On the podium: runner-up Jordan Coyle of Ireland, Steve Guerdat of Switzerland with his trophy and Arne Van Heel of the Netherlands in third.
For his part, Jordan also was pleased, explaining it had been “the best week of my life. I really try every time I come here to do the best I can to entertain everyone and do the best I can, so thank you everyone who supports us and I’ll be back next year.”
Third place went to Arne van Heel of the Netherlands, who had the unenviable position of being first to go in the class. He was also first in the jump-off, as a result, and finished in a respectable 41.47 seconds with Keaton HV. He’s not a household name yet; Arne is number 517 on the ranking list and he has limited 5-star experience, so it’s quite a coup for him to be on the podium in one of the world’s most famous venues.
Noting “It feels incredible,” Arne, a member of the seventh-place Dutch team in the Nations Cup, commented it was “My first time I can ride here. This horse is quite new at this level.so I’m really happy how we did today. She’s amazing.”
And in his view, so was the show: “All the people, the grounds, the atmosphere — just an unbelievable feeling. and hopfully, I can come next year back.”
Dublin showcased a lot of names with which you wouldn’t be familiar. While the oldest rider was 71-year-old John Whitaker of Great Britain, one of the most famous people in the sport, at the other end of the scale, there was 20-year-old Logan Fiechter of the Netherlands, thirtieth in the grand prix on Lieverella. One of the great things about equestrian competition is that there is room for a wide variety of ages and experience.
And it’s interesting to see the new faces who are making their way up the ranks. Finishing just off the podium in fourth was army Lt. Michaeli Byrne, riding the Irish Minister of Defense’s MSH Claregalway. The lieutenant rode sharp and looked sharp in her green uniform. She understandably was a crowd favorite, so look forward to seeing more of her.
Ireland’s Lt. Michaeli Byrne
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 7, 2026
The U.S. produced a clear-cut, fault-free victory Friday in Dublin to reclaim the coveted golden Aga Khan trophy for the Nations Cup that it also won in 2024, and seven times before that as well.
The competition was held on the century mark for the class, making it even more significant and historic for the teams from eight nations who competed.
“This trophy here, the Aga Khan, is the best, most important iconic trophy in our sport, period. Hands down,” exclaimed U.S. Coach Robert Ridland, comparing it in terms of reverence to hockey’s Stanley Cup.
Everything about the show prompts a special feeling, and no one can forget winning at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show.
“To do it on its hundredth anniversary is iconic. That was one heck of a Nations Cup. It went down to the wire and was a duel to the finish,” said Robert.
“All four (U.S.) riders had a part in it, and that to me is important, because so many times, even when you win a Nations Cup, someone might have been the discard score both times. All four riders were on the podium and basking in their glory.”
(For some, it may be worth noting that of the five people, including Robert, who were on that podium, all were Californians except Laura.)
There was no need for a jump-off, as the Irish — tied on zero penalties with the U.S. through most of the two-round competition — wound up on a total of 4 faults in second place. The Irish anchor rider, Cian O’Connor on Kentucky TN, did not need to compete in the first round as his teammates were fault-free. But when he appeared for the crucial second round, his horse dropped the front rail at the B element of the triple combination, putting the trophy in eager U.S. hands.
The USA’s victorious Dublin team of Karl Cook, Natalie Dean, Coach Robert Ridland, Laura Kraut and Paris Sellon.
Earlier in the second round, Irish team rider Shane Sweetnam, fault-free in the first round on Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, toppled a pole at the black and gold vertical flanked by replicas of the Aga Khan cup. It was fence 9 of 15 jumping efforts on the course laid out by LA2028 Olympic course designer Alan Wade. Cian’s mishap gave the Irish a total 4 penalties overall, because one of the 4’s was the drop score. Third was Switzerland on eight penalties.
The U.S. had double-clears from pathfinder Karl Cook (Caracole de la Roque) and team newcomer Paris Sellon (Chad Blue PS), who happily carried the Aga Khan trophy around the arena during the victory lap. Robert noted Paris, who has a relatively new horse, was a late addition to the team, when some switching around was required.
Of Cara, his 2024 Olympic team silver medal mount, Karl said, “she’s just such an amazing mare every time she goes in. She loves the sport. the fans here are amazing and it makes the show even better.”
Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque. (US Equestrian Photo)
Robert had a plan in place for the jump-off, had one been required. Having Karl go first meant that if he had to compete in a jump-off, Cara would have had time to rest before the tie-breaker, as every other rider in the class took their turn.
Anchor rider Laura Kraut, on her 2024 Olympic mount, Baloutinue, had 4 faults in her first round, and Natalie Dean (Mr. Boombastic) toppled a pole at the vertical that was the C element of the triple in the second round. But both 4’s were the drop scores in each round, leaving the U.S. on a clean sheet.
“I just love Dublin. the crowd here is the best,” said Laura after delivering her perfect trip in the second round She won the grand prix at the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds last year, and hopes to do it again on Sunday.
“We love it here, the horses love it here, there’s no better place in the world,” she enthused.
Robert agreed.
“Dublin is such a special place. The fans here are knowledgeable. We’re always received well. If the Irish can’t win, we feel like we’re their second choice.”
When it comes to pomp, Dublin makes a real occasion of its team competition to highlight the importance of its beloved trophy. The presentation ceremony included a military band and bagpipers in kilts, as well as dignitaries wearing top hats. The stands were packed and the spectators never stropped cheering, adding extra decibels for the home team.
The stadium has had a big re-do, but the grass field is a familiar surface with a more elegant frame. The jumps embodied the character of Dublin and the Nations Cup. One of the standards was a wooden statue of Molly Malone, with her cockles and mussels.
Landmarks next to other jumps included green “telefon” boxes, Celtic crosses and Cashel Palace. It was a tour of the city, available without leaving the arena.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 10, 2026
The FEI World Championships get underway Tuesday at Aachen with Grand Prix dressage competition, as 19 nations (with 91 riders) take part.
The competition begins at 2 a.m. Eastern time, but if you don’t want to get up well before dawn, we will have everything covered on this site. So come back Tuesday afternoon to read what happened, and check in every day after that for a rundown on the six-discipline championships, which end Aug. 23.
In dressage, while only four teams would seem to have a real chance for making the podium when the medals are awarded on Wednesday, there are always surprises.
Twenty years ago, when Aachen hosted the World Equestrian Games (basically the same event, different name, no endurance competition) a lovely grey mare from Denmark, Blue Hors Matine, burst on the scene to produce the top score in the Grand Prix and take bronze in the Special.
Blu Hors Matine was a sensation 20 years ago, the last time the world championships were held at Aachen
So who knows what unexpected star or stars might get our attention in a big way this time around.
In the team ranks, however, the medal surprises won’t include the U.S. squad, which has been plagued by dropouts and the absence of the country’s top two horses, Jane and Indian Rock, rehabbing and resting respectively. But while the other nations are vying for places in the 2028 LA Olympics, the U.S. has no issues there — the home team automatically qualifies.
The big medal contenders include Great Britain, with reigning dressage world champion Lottie Fry (Glamourdale), reigning World Cup Champion Becky Moody and her homebred Jaegerbomb, as well as the architect of British dressage success, Carl Hester (Fame).
Unlike the Olympics, which allows only three riders on a team with all scores to count, the world championships permits a quartet on each squad. In Britain’s case, that’s Fiona Bigwood and another homebred, Donna Bella. Four on a team means leeway, since the worst score can be dropped when the totals are figured.
Teams in contention obviously include Germany, which enjoys a home-side advantage and the charisma of multi, multi-medalist Isabell Werth (Wendy de Fontaine). Denmark and Belgium each have power generated by their star riders, respectively Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (Mount St. John Freestyle) and Justin Verboomen (Zonik Plus). Also, keep an eye on Spain, which is improving and interesting to watch with LA28 in mind.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2026
First it was Marilyn Little withdrawing La Contessa from the U.S. show jumping team at this month’s world championships in Aachen, Germany. Then came Phillip Dutton’s substitution of his back-up mount, Denim, for Possante on the U.S. eventing team.
On Saturday the U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced another U.S. world championships team drop-out, Genay Vaughn and Gino. Their place will be taken by Meagan Davis and Toronto Lightfoot.
It’s the second change in less than a week. On Wednesday, Jordan LaPlaca said he was stepping aside from the dressage team, with Kasey Perry-Glass and Heartbeat WP taking the place of himself and Gold Play on the squad.
Jordan LaPlaca and Gold Play.
“In the spirit of staying true to my core convictions as a horseman and as a committed partner to my horse, Gold Play, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s FEI Dressage World Championships. Gold Play is okay and that is the most important thing,” Jordan announced.
“But as a member of the U.S. team, I have to do what is best not only for my horse, but for the entire team as well. This is not the end, just the beginning of great things still to come.”
Jordan, who was fifth in the national Grand Prix Championships in May, is short on experience internationally. Kasey has been a team medalist in both the Olympics and World Equestrian Games. Those honors came with her previous horse, Dublet. Heartbeat has far less milage. He and Casey were fifteenth at the national Grand Prix championships, where they withdrew from the freestyle.
Kasey Perry-Glass and Heartbeat WP.
This is a building year for the U.S. dressage team, as it looks toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Team members will get experience at the world championships next week, but there is no chance of a U.S. medal in the discipline there.
The country is short on proven horse power at the top level. Jane, a veteran of the Paris Olympics with Marcus Orlob, has been rehabbing from injury for most of this year and was not a contender for the world championships team. The top-ranked U.S. horse internationally, Indian Rock, has been resting since the national championships, where he dropped out before the freestyle.
Things could be worse. Canada had only two entries for the world championships eventing. Now Michael Winter has withdrawn after his Olympic veteran, El Mundo, sustained an injury during his prep work and can’t compete. Now Jessica Winter and the Fluorescent Adolescent are Canada’s only represntatives in the discipline at the championships.
Mike explained about his horse, known as Roberto, “The care and well-being of Roberto, and of all our equine partners, is paramount. The most important thing is that Roberto is here at home, being well-cared for.
“Not because of what he has done for us, or what he may still do, but because he is a valued partner entrusted to our care. We have a responsibility to make the best decisions we can for him, always with his long-term welfare at heart and with the goal of creating the best possible outcomes throughout his career and his life.”
