by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2026
The U.S. show jumping squad edged closer to the tantalizing glitter of a gold medal Thursday, with three perfect rounds at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
The riders earned a promotion from their bronze status after Wednesday’s first round, going to a second-place ranking with a mere 4.85 penalties — behind Germany (3.48) and ahead of a tie between Italy and Belgium (7.69). It’s so close that there is less than a rail between the scores of the first two.
Is the U.S. on the way to what could be the top medal awarded after the final team competition Friday? There’s still plenty of jumping to do and many things can change fast.
Just ask France’s Julien Epaillard, who was in first place individually after the one-round speed contest that opened the competition. Then two rails down Thursday were expensive, dropping him to sixty-fourth.
Scott Brash of Great Britain, meanwhile, moved up to first from third with a stunning trip on the intriguingly named Hello Mango, a horse he calls “incredible.” After watching her, who can argue with that?
“I’m delighted with Mango,” said Scott.
“I thought she jumped incredible. In the warm-up, she felt a little bit more tense today with the atmosphere and I went quick yesterday, so maybe that was why, but when she went in the ring, she was fantastic. The course rode quite well – it’s why there’s so many clears – but it’s big. The verticals are (at) the top of the wings, but horses jump well in this ring and it shows the standard we’ve got here.
“It’s amazing, but I’m under no illusions because there’s a long way to go. We’ll take one day at a time, but I’m super happy with Mango and looking forward to the rest of the week,”
Scott Brash of Great Britain and Hello Mango stand first at the world championships. (FEI/Benjamin Clark)
Aachen’s resident course designer, Frank Rothenberger, upped the ante as expected for the second day’s round. It winnowed out the top 10 teams that are riding for the medals Friday, as well as the 60 competitors who will be in contention for the top 25 seeking individual medals on Sunday.
Several verticals were set at an imposing 1.65 meters and a triple combination joined the line-up of challenges. The open water hasn’t been seen yet; it will be a feature on Friday, under the floodlights, before a very vocal capacity crowd of 40,000. How intimidating is that?
On the plus side, riders said the turf in the enormous arena was perfect, and fences were set away from the spots that got worn in Wednesday’s action during rainfall, so traction was insured.
A record 30 countries fielded teams, which is good news for the growth of the sport. But with the exception of the U.S., every nation in the top 10 is European, which tells you what parts of the world still dominate the discipline. Saudi Arabia finished eleventh, so a country from the Middle East — a region with an increasingly large investment in show jumping — did not make the cut.
Individually, unpredictability hit hard. Richie Vogel, favored by many to win individual gold with the illustrious United Touch S, was Germany’s drop score in the first round. While Germany remains first among the teams, Richie’s perfect trip — one of 49 in the class of 135 starters on the second day — could only boost him to twenty-third.
He said he felt no pressure, because others on the team had performed so well.
“I’m very happy I could give United a much better ride today than yesterday. He jumped incredible both days; I really messed up yesterday,” said Richie.
However, his partner and team member, Sophie Hinners on Iron Dames Singclair, is only 0.4 penalties behind Scott. And the always impressive Steve Guerdat (Dynamis de Belheme) of Switzerland is tied with Daniel Deusser (Otello de Guldenboom), another German, just 0.02 back of Sophie.
Laura Kraut is once again the top American. She has 1.06 penalties with Baloutinue, the team pathfinder for the second day. That isn’t her usual role.
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue. (FEI/Benjamin Clark)
“I normally go in the third slot, but my horse is a little horse-shy,” she said, explaining that the schooling area is less congested for those who go early in the order.
“Two days in a row now, he’s just been 100 percent with me, doing everything I ask of him,” she said of Baloutinue, reminding everyone that he was the championships’ back-up horse for Bisquetta, coming up to bat when that mare suffered an injury.
“He’s just one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden in my life and to have him come out at age 16 and perform the way he has, I’m just thrilled,” Laura enthused.
Lillie Keenan is two spots behind her teammate Laura, with another clear and 1.17 penalties total on Fasther in her first championship.
She said her 16-year-old horse “really reminded me how incredibly special he is in every single way. He does things the laws of physics say are impossible.”
Lillie pointed out that Fred, as he is called by his friends, “knows the big moments. He missed chances to jump championships before. He deserves to have won many medals in his career.
“I know he knows this is important. The only factor here is that i have to ride my absolute best. If i do, he can do his job.”
McLain Ward and Lillie Keenan walking the course.
McLain Ward, Lillie’s mentor and the team’s anchor rider with High Star Hero, had a rail fall at the gingerbread man vertical fence and became the team’s drop score. He stands fifty-sixth.
“My horse felt very good,” said McLain, noting he was pleased with Hero before discussing what happened with the knockdown.
“i thought it was a casual ride to that vertical on my part, trying to find the happy medium without taking too much out of my horse. I left him a little too fresh today,” he noted, mentioning the importance of “finding the right balance energy-wise. I could have had him a little more relaxed.”
Although Katie Dinan is now standing eighty-first with Out of the Blue SCF as the result of an 8-fault trip on Wednesday, when her effort was the USA’s drop score, she recouped Thursday with a fault-free trip that showcased the ability of her Kentucky-bred mare.
“My horse has been great the whole time, but I made riding mistakes,” she said, reflecting on what happened in the first round.
Katie Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF.
“I’m so happy i could come back today and deliver a clear round for the USA.”
So was McLain.
“Thank goodness for the ladies today,” he said, paying tribute to their flawless performances that improved the team’s position.
Click here for team standings. Click here for individual standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 19, 2026
The U.S. continued its position on top of the world in Para Dressage as Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H took individual gold in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade I.
“They are really starting to come together,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline as he discussed Marie’s performance on Wednesday at the FEI World Championships.
“They are definitely on an upward trend and it’s lovely to see them getting a high score. Overall, we had a good day,” said the man who has guided the U.S. to dominance in Para Dressage.
He warned, however, “Sport is sport. You don’t always win everything. We have combinations with known horses and the progression varies a little bit from time to time.”
Marie, who was making her championship debut, and Fan Tastico H have been together for just over a year. The combination delivered a standout performance in their first test of the week, earning 76.709 percent to rise to the top of the individual standings.
“I stayed organized in my head—it helps me be more accurate,” Marie said, explaining her gold-medal-winning technique.When asked about her relationship with Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H, Marie replied, “He is a super nice person. And, yes, I say person, because that’s what I feel with him. He is very super.”
Six-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart and Rowan O’Riley’s Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare were the first U.S. combination down centerline, competing in the Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade III. Hart and Floratina earned 73.900 percent, fourth in the individual standings.
The experienced combination arrived in Aachen with an impressive record, highlighted by three gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Returning to the world stage with Floratina made the moment particularly meaningful for Hart.
“The entire experience of representing our country again and going down the centerline with my partner is a magical moment,” said Rebecca.
Last in the ring for the U.S. was Fiona Howard and the 2013 Hanoverian gelding Diamond Dunes, owned by owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann. With equally as impressive accolades as Rebecca, Fiona and Diamond Dunes put in a solid effort in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade II, scoring 75 percent to be la fourth.
“He has risen to every challenge I have thrown at him,” Fiona explained. “We didn’t have our best ride out there today, but I couldn’t fault this horse. He put his heart out there and I’m so proud of him.”
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 19, 2026
After a marathon first round of show jumping at the FEI World Championships, the U.S. team stands third on Wednesday, close behind Germany and Belgium but ahead of 28 other nations competing on the enormous — and increasingly slippery — grass field at Aachen.
Assessing his team’s position after the single round against the clock, U.S. Coach Robert Ridland offered a time-tested maxim: “You can lose it on the first day, you can’t win it on the first day,”
The championship has more entries, 145 — 14 of whom were eliminated or retired — than any other in the history of this competition. The jumping continues Thursday with a more demanding course from Aachen’s house designer, Frank Rothenberger,
“It’s a long slog,” Robert observed about the lead-up to the medals, adding, “the jumps get bigger.
On the bright side he noted, “The horses all looked good. We are within shooting distance, which is what the plan was.”
The winner was the rider known as “the Flying Frenchman, former World Cup champ Julien Epaillard of France with Fringan de Vesquerie, who had a perfect trip in 70.6 seconds.
France’s Julien Epaillard and Fringan de Vesquerie (FEI photo by Richard Juilliart)
He was just ahead of Harrie Smolders (should we call him the Flying Dutchman?) in 71.96. Britain’s Scott Brash finished third on the luminescent gray, Hello Mango (72.19). The way penalties are calculated, Julien is on 0, Harrie on 0.68 and Scott on 0.80. Knockdowns carried four seconds added to the time. No one in the top 24 dropped a pole.
The first day of the championships offers a challenge beyond the height of the fences and the way they are laid out.
“You can win time, but you can also lose time,” Julien said.
“It’s difficult to find the good balance between being in the five best and keeping the horse ready for tomorrow.”
In that context, he said, “I didn’t do exactly my plan the round, so I decided to change my plan and collect a little bit my horse.”
He did, however, make a crucially time-saving tight turn on the rollback to the wavy planks at fence number four.
“I feel the horse is a really championship horse (My Lord Carthago X Diamant de Semilly) so i gave him a long break this winter. balanced between big classes and small classes to keep the horse relaxed as possible,” he said explaining his preparation.
Today’s course
There is more than just some medals at stake in Aachen.
France is seeking to be one of the seven-highest placed countries at the championships, because that would qualify the nation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (The U.S. is automatically qualified as the host country.
“We have a super team, young riders and old warriors,” Julien commented.
“Of course, we would like to be on the podium. We will try to give our best, stay focused and hopefully on Friday night we’re still here.”
But in a competition which is the caliber of the championships, anything can happen. Form doesn’t always hold.
Germany’s Richard Vogel and United Touch S.
German fans and the many other admirers of European Champion Richard Vogel and the fabulous United Touch S were disappointed when the stallion, who was jumping in a hackamore, had a rail at the vertical three fences from the end of the course. He was, can you imagine it, his country’s drop score as a result. Only the best three of four scores count, with the greatest number of faults always dropped.
So what happened to Richie?
He explained, “I have a very clear answer for that — poor riding. United felt fantastic; he jumped better than just “very well”—he couldn’t have jumped any better.
“He listened to me perfectly. I was able to ride him with very subtle aids, and he always responded beautifully. The start was very harmonious; everything went according to plan. Then I had planned for eight strides to the white oxer—I think I was the only one who did that. After that, I was a bit worried that I might arrive too close to the red vertical if I took five strides. I held back a little right upon landing, but I still waited far too much. I actually know how sensitive United is; he waits for my cues so well these days that I didn’t need to intervene like that.”
The highest-ranked American rider is Laura Kraut, standing eleventh with her 2024 Paris Olympic mount, Baloutinue, a late replacement for planned starter Bisquetta, who had a slight injury.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. He just couldn’t have been better; he reacted beautifully to everything,” Laura commented.
I wish I was a couple of seconds quicker (she finished in 72.72) but I rode to my plan. I think I’m only person int he world who has a reserve (horse) as good as this one.”
She was sixth in the starting order and admitted, “I was a little tentative about going so early in the round.”
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue (USEF Photo)
On the other hand, the Olympic multi-medalist found she didn’t have anything to learn from watching others ride.
“There’s no questions,” she said of the lack of complexities on course.
“It’s just a straight gallop. Even after watching 140 rounds, I wouldn’t have done one thing different, so I’m pleased.”
Lillie Keenan was next-best for the U.S. with the aptly named Fasther, fourteenth without a fault in 17.94 seconds in the rider’s championships debut.
“Fasther always shines here in Aachen,” said Lillie.
“He is a star really in any venue. But when he feels that atmosphere he grows. He has a monster stride. Getting to gallop on an open grass field really showcases his special talents.”
She emphasized that “the hardest part about championships is (that) unlike any other show you, are jumping multiple days…and don’t want to give everything in the first day,” noting that would “take too much out of your horse.
Referring to her horse by his barn name, she said, “Fred has a huge character. He’s very confident in himself. He knows that he knows best.”
The rider and her mount have an understanding: “I will never change him and better I don’t try to,” she noted
Lillie’s mentor, McLain Ward, another Olympic multi-medalist, rode High Star Hero as the forty-fourth to go. He was blazing along until he had the back rail at the oxer, 12A, part of the double that was the next-to-last obstacle. That caught a number of riders, including world number three Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on James Kann Cruz, and Britain’s Harry Charles with LT Holst Freda.
McLain is thirty-third on an adjusted time of 75.83. Without the rail, his time on High Star Hero would have been 71.83 and good for second place.
“It would have been nice to not have that unlucky rail at the end,” McLain mused, but added, “it was a solid round and I’m very happy with him.”
Horses started slipping when the rain really came down later in the class, and McLain noted that while the “ground is spectacular,” with so many horses going, “the corners get a little greasy. That’s one of the variables of our sport,” he pointed out.
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland was on the edge of his seat as he watched the team with the USEF’s manager of show jumping, Lizzy Chesson.
The U.S. anchor rider, Katie Dinan, had two rails with Out of the Blue SCF. They put in an extra stride at the sixth fence, the brown Lindt oxer, but were too close on take-off and crashed through, scattering the rails. Katie kept her cool and recouped, but also had the back rail at the tenth fence.
“My horse is in very good form,” Katie recounted, then explained, “I made a mistake as a rider. I am disappointed in myself for that.
“Fortunately, my teammates were all very good today and we’re in a good position for tomorrow,” she concluded, promising she would try to deliver then. Katie is ranked one hundred twenty-first in the class. She was third in April’s FEI World Cup finals, where she was the highest-placed U.S. rider. Her mare is U.S.-bred from Spy Coast Farm in Kentucky, a rarity in a sea of European horses.
Coach Robert explained that the order of go for the team (which can be changed on Thursday) was handled so that the horses known to be fastest went first, when the ground was at its best and they had a better chance of placing high. He mentioned that Katie’s horse is not particularly fast, so even the best ground wouldn’t have benefited her the way it did the first three riders for the team.
On a down note, Hungarian rider András Jun. Kövy pulled up Egano van’t Wingerdhof Z and dismounted after the stallion faltered partway through his round and held up a front leg. Curtains immediately were put up around the horse, who then was transported to the veterinary clinic, where he was found to have a soft tissue injury and is being treated.
Click here for individual standings. Click here for team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 18, 2026
The last two days have offered welcome time for a deep breath after the intensity of the FEI World Championships’ first week in Aachen.
The eventers, dressage riders and vaulters have gone home. Starting Wednesday, it’s the turn of the show jumpers, four-in-hand drivers and Para dressage.
Week one had so many great moments, but if I had to pick one, it was the performance of perennial eventing gold medalist Michael Jung of Germany and the determined fischerChipmunk FRH. His record has moved beyond amazing.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH after clinching individual eventing gold.
Describing Chipmunk, Michi put it so beautifully: “He has all the experience and he knows everything. This is just the best feeling you can have as a rider, that is horse is absolutely with you, listening during the course, going forward or waiting, and finishing for the time and still in the end, so powerful.”
A close second in the roster of the week’s impressions, at least for me and any other U.S. supporters, was the determined climb of the American riders from sixth after dressage to the bronze medal spot on the podium, even after one team member was eliminated on cross-country.
Will Coleman, this year’s Defender Kentucky 5-star winner, showed admirable ability on an even bigger stage with the multi-faceted Diablo to wind up just short of an individual medal in fourth place.
In dressage, Britain’s Lottie Fry achieved a first, taking both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle for the second world championships in a row with the lofty-striding Glamourdale, who always lives up to the Glamour part of his name.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark, ranked world number one on Mount St. John Freestyle, earned silvers in both the Special and Freestyle. In the Freestyle, local favorite Isabell Werth on Wendy de Fontaine took the bronze despite a big mistake in the two tempis.
Worthy of note was the fifth-place performance of Zen Elite World Cup Champion Becky Moody and her homebred Jagerbomb, a willing partner the British rider trained from the ground up. Their brilliantly executed routine to a medley of Beatles tunes made a statement, proving that if you have ability (and perhaps a little genetic luck) it’s possible to achieve a world-class dynamic without spending seven figures on an imported animal.
Her countryman, Carl Hester, showed yet again what an incredible horseman he is, when Fame took issue with some corners of the arena and was on his toes; his tippy-toes, no exaggeration. Carl, the architect of British dressage success, kept it all together when it could so easily have fallen apart in lesser hands.
Carl Hester keeps the lid on Fame.
Those who can attend Dressage at Devon’s Masterclass in Pennsylvania should do so to watch Carl in action, and learn something in a rare chance to see this equestrian genius in person.
As we look ahead to the jumping, my thoughts go back to the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen.
There McLain Ward and Laura Kraut, who will be on the U.S. team this week, were part of the silver medal squad. Looking back, some things have remained the same, but we also can see how much has changed in the sport over the last 20 years.
The U.S. 2006 World Equestrian Games silver medal show jumping team at Aachen: McLain Ward, Margie Goldstine Engle, Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut with chef d’equipe George Morris.
A nice addition was the recognition of the hard-working grooms, who were saluted on the podiums and given mementoes of their charges’ medal performances.
We still had the Final Four at Aachen 2006, an exciting switch-off of horses among the four highest-ranking riders at the show to determine individual medals. That format has gone away, but it doesn’t mean the excitement has faded.
The Final Four in 2006–Beezie Madden, silver; Jos Lansink, gold; Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, bronze and Edwina Tops-Alexander, fourth place.
Beezie Madden with Authentic on her way to individual silver at the 2007 World Equestrian Games in Aachen.
The stars of the sport will continue to shine. So many have a chance for medals, but Germany’s European Champion Richard Vogel, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, Britain’s Scott Brash and Ben Maher, Shane Sweetnam of Ireland and McLain and Laura all have the possibility of being among those who wind up with individual medals.
Countries that could take team medals include the homelands of all of the above and perhaps European Champion Belgium. And I never rule out France.
The routes over the fences will be laid out by Aachen’s resident course designer, Frank Rothenberger, who did the same job in 2006 at Aachen’s last world championships.
He believes, “The distribution of jumps must be perfect, and I have to consider the technical questions and lines. The main issue is that we must keep an eye on the less-experienced riders while also keeping the top riders in the lead. That’s really difficult this week.”
Frank believes each course designer has a distinct signature.
“All my top colleagues, the top course designers in the world, have their own handwriting,” he commented.
“I always try to keep the flow, with rideable lines and no hard turns. I also don’t want to use just poles and planks. We should not bore the horses, the riders or the audience. We need a big variety, and that is what makes a good course outstanding.”
In Para, the U.S. is the undisputed world number one and seems likely to remain so. Who might also be on the podium? Likely the Germans and the Dutch, not necessarily in that order. Perhaps the Danes will get close also.
In driving, the USA’s Chester Weber, ranked number eight in the world, always has a chance at an individual medal, but Europeans tend to dominate the team standings; the Dutch and Belgians are true power players. Australia’s Boyd Exell holds the number one individual ranking in the discipline.
The jumping gets underway Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in Germany, which is 3:30 a.m. Eastern time in the U.S. There are 145 starters from every continent except Antarctica. Representatives of nine countries will be making their championships debut at Aachen, an extremely diverse group including Monaco, Cyprus, Iran, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.
You can keep up with all the action at www.nancyjaffer.com, beginning on Wednesday afternoon and going right through the finale next Sunday. We do our best to send out email reminders, but they sometimes go astray, so keep checking the site for updates. If you missed any stories from last week, some are in the On the Rail section of the site. You can access others by clicking on the “previous columns” icon on the masthead.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 17, 2026
Brazil’s show jumping squad was looking like it had big potential at the FEI World Championships until a shock announcement by one its top riders, Yuri Mansur, that he would not be competing on the team this week, citing differences with how the team is run.
“Differences” is probably an understatement.
He revealed on social media that for years, “I’ve had to contend with so much incompetence, a lack of capable leadership, power struggles among the athletes themselves, a total lack of commitment to what truly matters, and an absence of unity or a winning mentality. Every year, the process and the result are the same: fighting, insults, deliberate lack of communication, a lack of honest rules and procedures, favoritism, and no results…”
He added, “Of course, some of us have achieved remarkable and incredible results over the years, but as a team… it’s always the same story: `almost there.’ I received the most deplorable treatment from this management team, the worst I have ever witnessed. I was blackmailed and mistreated. Yet, I pressed on and gave my all for this country.”
Yuri Mansur riding for Brazil in his trademark yellow jacket at the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals.
Last Sunday, he said the situation “crossed every line regarding ethics, respect, and sportsmanship. That is why, with great sadness, I am announcing a difficult decision. As of today, I will no longer represent Brazil in championships or Nations Cups. To all the athletes heading to the World Championship to represent Brazil, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I’ll be rooting for you!
As for this management team, I feel nothing but pity.”
He gave no further details about the circumstances that led to his decision.
But the Revista Horse website said “the crisis was triggered by disputes over the selection of the starting quartet and the choice of official mounts—discussions that dragged on until the final training session on Saturday. The technical evaluation process and the final roster composition — distinguishing between starters and reserves — exacerbated these internal rifts.”
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Equestrian Confederation’s president, Constantino Scampini, told Revista Horse that selection of the team members was the sole responsibility of the technical staff.
“At this moment, there isn’t much to say regarding the decision made by the coach, Frank (Franke Sloothaak) who selected the team. He possesses the expertise to determine the best squad for Brazil, and we respect that technical decision.”
The team now includes Pedro Muylaert riding Gemme Villers; Rodrigo Pessoa (Major Tom); Stephan Barcha (Chevaux Primavera Império Egípcio) Marlon Zanotelli (Dorette OLD) and Luciana Diniz (Vertigo du Desert).
Mansur’s media post has been a hot topic, and someone from Australia suggested he could ride for that country, as his trademark bright yellow jacket would fit in with the yellow and green color scheme of the folks from Down Under. But no joke, he said several countries already had reached out to him.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 16, 2026
The 2025 reserve champion in the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship swept to victory in the 2026 edition of the $268,830 competition at the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday.
Jennifer Hannan and Cellestino topped a field of 31 with their stellar trips in the Rolex Stadium. After victory in the Classic Round, Cellestino did it again in the Handy round with an overall total of 602. Reserve this time was Victoria Colvin with Golden Road on a score of 594.5 for reserve. Third place went to Greg Crolick and Chappy with 588.
“This is an absolute dream come true,” said Jennifer, a resident of Rhode Island.
“I’m so lucky to be here. Last year was amazing, and I feel so lucky to have such an amazing partner. To come back this year and be focused enough to make it happen was just a huge privilege.”
Jennifer Hannan and Cellestino (USHJA Photo)
Course designers Meghan Rawlins and Tom Hern set a challenging 12-obstacle track that included four high-option fences and several options for different paths. Riders jumped through the in-and-out garden at fences 6 and 7, and then the eighth challenge was to canter through the garden in either direction before jumping one of the log trot jumps. Jump 10 could also be jumped in either direction, and then riders continued to the final two fences, which both featured high options.
Following her reserve championship last year with Cellestino, an 11-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Stephanie Bulger, Jennifer was in top form for this weekend’s challenge.
“My plan for tonight was to be comfortable,” said Jennifer.
“I know it’s always better to go forward, but I really chose the path that I thought was best for my horse tonight. This year, for sure, I felt the pressure coming back, especially with that result last year, but I’ve had a good year on him, so focus and positivity is kind of the name of the game.
“Cellestino likes a very forward ride. You need to get him out in front of you, and it sort of has to be his idea. He’s in charge. He’s a bit of a boss. He always rises to the occasion. He thinks this is special; there’s really no jump too big, and he’s a very careful horse. I have wonderful owners who have allowed our team and me to focus on him just for these special classes.”
The Tier II champion was Eleanor Rudnicki of Conroe, Texas, aboard Vex Sporthorses, LLC’s Vex Freedom.
The rider, who was participating in her second Derby Championship, recounted, “Vex Freedom jumped super tonight, and she was right with me all the way around. I started riding her early this winter. She’s a great mare, and I’m very lucky to be able to ride her here. The prize money bonus is definitely a plus.”
The Rider Style Award was presented to Halie Robinson, while the Alberto Ramirez International Derby Groom’s Award went to the multi-talented Caitlin Burns, groom, owner, and rider of Prime Time. The top-placing Amateur Owner rider was Katelyn Martin, while Ashley McCaslin took both the top-placing junior rider and top-placing junior owner rider titles.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 16, 2026
The USA’s climb to team bronze was the only medal surprise as eventing wrapped up Sunday in Aachen at the FEI World Championships, with Britain and Germany taking gold and silver in that category as expected.
The British gold medal team of Tom McEwan, Laura Collett, Ros Canter and Gemma Stevens. (FEI Photo)
Individually, the favorites showed why they deserved their status, as Germany’s Michael Jung thrilled the home crowd by earning his fifth gold (team and individual) at a world’s or Olympic competition on his dressage score of 23 penalties with 18-year-old fischcrChipmunk FRH. He was a mere 0.4 penalties ahead of Britain’s three-time Badminton 5-star Ros Canter on Lordship’s Graffalo for silver.
Bronze went to Ros’s teammate, Laura Collett (London 52). Except for time penalties cross-country and in show jumping, where she also had a rail when her horse spooked at the liverpool — Laura could have had gold — since her dressage score was 22.8. But that’s the game, isn’t it?
The leader individually for the U.S., Will Coleman, nearly made the podium individually as he jumped clear on the grass field, finishing fourth with Diabolo on his dressage score of 30 penalties, only two behind Laura.
The U.S. moved up from sixth after dressage to fifth following Saturday’s cross-country. The concluding stadium jumping phase was decisive, with Boyd Martin on Cooley Nutcracker also putting in a clear to finish thirteenth individually. Phillip Dutton had 1.2 time penalties with Denim to wind up twenty-seventh individually, but contributed to the team total of 93.2. That was 20.4 penalties back of Germany but just 0.1 ahead of Ireland in a real squeaker. It simply doesn’t get any closer than that.
“The fact that we came up and got the bronze medal, obviously it made the day,” said U.S. Chef d’Equipe Leslie Law.
The U.S. bronze medal team of Will Coleman, Boyd Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, Phillip Dutton and Chef d’Equipe Leslie Law.
“We were quietly confident we could pull it off today. Such good show jumping — all three boys, they rode to the standard we know they could ride. They are phenomenal riders in the show jumping.”
After his round, Will declared, “Dabs is just a star,” referring to his 14-year-old Holsteiner by his barn name.
“He was incredible,” Will continued.
Despite winning last spring Kentucky 5-star, “He never jumped in an atmosphere quite like that. He was quite on his toes when he went in there. I knew he was going to do everything in his power to leave the rails up and he did.
“I can’t say enough about him. He’s got a nice big stride, he doesn’t waste too much time in the air,” Will pointed out.
The 91-second time allowed on the route laid out by Aachen’s home designer, Frank Rothenberger, was tight, and having three doubles along the way meant riders had to balance speed with carefulness.
Will does a lot of show jumping, noting “for me, it’s a passion,” and that paid off for him and for his squad.
Asked about the significance of gaining the bronze, he commented, “I think it says a lot about this group, our management, and I think everybody kept a cool head this week. i had a lot of fun. I can’t remember laughing so much at an event. It felt loose, the way it’s supposed to feel.
Will Coleman clinched the U.S. bronze.
“We were all rooting for each other. We didn’t really care who came out on top, we just wanted the team to succeed. That’s really what carried us.”
The fourth U.S. team member, Caroline Pamukcu, did not show jump because she was eliminated on cross-country with HSH Blake after he caught a leg in a fence and she tumbled off.
The other U.S. rider, Tamie Smith, competed as an individual and not on the team. She was eighteenth after cross-country with Lillet 3, but the mare had grabbed herself with “a badly placed overreach, and we’ve made the decision to save her for another day,” Tamie stated.
Withdrawing before the final horse inspection was “gutting, to say the least,” Tamie acknowledged, “but our horses must always come first. Above the results, the championships, and everything we work so hard for — their well-being is what matters most.
“I’m so incredibly proud and honored to have had the round I had on her yesterday.”
Boyd Martin rarely travels alone. There’s Peter Wylde, his show jumping coach (Leslie Law gave a shout-out to all his riders’ show jumping consultants) and of course, Boyd’s wife, Silva brings their three boys. (Did you see the video of her packing them into canvas suitcases?)
At any rate, world championships 2034 or 2038 might have a couple of other Martins riding in them.
How soon do you think we’ll be seeing Boyd and Silva Martin’s kids on a team ? (Roy Brinkman for Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Michi Jung seemed as delighted with his gold medal as if it were his first. In 2016, he became the only rider ever to hold the Olympic, European and world championships individual gold at the same time.
“I’m speechless. fischerChipmunk is unbelievable,” he said of his horse.
“He’s doing dressage, he’s running in the cross-country, he’s jumping forward, he’s doing show jumping like a show jumper. It’s just a dream to ride him.”
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH (FEI Photo)
Considering the horse’s age, one would guess there won’t be many more moments as significant as this one in Chipmunk’s career. He made up for a knockdown af the final fence that lost Michi the gold at the last championships in 2022. This time, he tapped two poles and one rolled along the cups, but stayed in to secure the title. And that was even though the last obstacle was a double of verticals, which Michi confided is not his favorite type of jump.
“Aachen is always very special,” Michi continued.
“The Games was always our dream. It’s a very big thing in the home country to have all the nations together. To have all the disciplines together makes it much more special. With all the people around here, the stadium is such a cool atmosphere. It’s a special place and I feel so lucky that I can enjoy this…world games at home.”
The British team, understandably overjoyed, had some interesting insights.
Bronze medalist Laura Collett emphasized, “We came here with one aim, and that was to win a gold medal and get Olympic qualification and i think we ticked that box.”
The top seven teams got automatic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Actually, it went down to eighth-place Belgium because the U.S. was already qualified as the host country.
Laura’s teammate, Tom McEwan said, “From start to finish it’s an amazing group of riders, group of staff so straighaway we are all after a team medal. Our horses are superstars. They love a big atmosphere, so to be able to show them off at Aachen is incredible.”
Ros Canter, a former world champion, called her experience in Aachen, “The most amazing week. The support we have is second to none, thanks to the lottery funding we get.”
Of her Lordship’s Graffalo, she said, “He thoroughly loves his job and I think it just goes to show that these horses truly love what they’re doing and give it time and time again.”
Chef d’Equipe Dickie Waygood, who said, “It feels like the Olympic Games when we’re here,” mentioned that Gemma Stevens, the fourth member of the team, was also very involved on Sunday. She didn’t show jump, because she was eliminated after three refusals on cross-country, but she made herself useful on the final day, telling her teammates what they needed to know about how the course rode as she watched other competitors.
“Gemma was reporting back on every round. It was absolute teamwork from top to bottom,” said Dickie.
click here for individual standings. Click here for team standings.
Sunday also was the last day of vaulting competition. The U.S. finished sixth in the team competition (click here for results) and eighth in pas de deux (click here for results).
Week two’s competition in show jumping, driving and para dressage begins on Wednesday.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 15, 2026
“Please fasten your seatbelts, we’re about to take off.”
And with that announcement before the medley of flight-themed music began on Saturday evening in Aachen, Glamourdale Airlines soared, with Lottie Fry and her jet-powered stallion producing a nearly perfect dressage freestyle before a crowd of 40,000 to take the world championship gold.
“It’s unbelievable, I can’t believe how amazing Glam was in there today,” Lottie bubbled.
“It was kind of a test of a lifetime. We’ve never, ever had a test so good. It all just came together at the right time in Aachen, and yes, so special. It couldn’t have been any better for me. Whatever the results, I was incredibly happy.
Glamourdale and Lottie Fry. (FEI Photo)
Her achievement was unique. Not only did Lottie and Glamourdale win their second title of the championships, having earned top honors in the Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday, but the British entry also was the only combination ever to have scored such a double twice in a row. The two delivered the same results at the last world championships, in Denmark four years ago.
This time, however, it was a personal best of 91.907 percent for Lottie, just 0.671 percent ahead of silver medalist Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark, ranked number one in the world, guiding the aptly named Mount St. John Freestyle to finish on 91.236.
Germany’s Isabell Werth, the world’s most decorated dressage rider, climbed back on the podium in the stadium where she won gold at the World Equestrian Games 20 years ago. This time, she took bronze with Wendy de Fontaine, marked at 88.650, despite a bit of a scramble in the two-tempi changes.
Such a level of the competition was undreamed of when we were in Aachen for the 2006 WEG. The sport has improved and broadened in the years since, with more and more riders deservedly achieving top scores. The best 10 riders in the freestyle, from six countries, all were marked at over 80 percent. Their horses looked comfortable and happy doing their jobs, which hasn’t always been the case in this discipline.
Cathrine Dufour, Lottie Fry and Isabell Werth.
The odd man out in the freestyle was 2025 European Champion Justin Verboomen of Belgium with the 10-year-old Zonik Plus, another black stallion. How about a pas de deux with Zonik and Glamourdale? Probably not happening…
Prior to the championships, it was thought by many that the title match would be a three-way battle among Glammy, Free and Zonik. But Zonik didn’t break 90 percent, finishing fourth on 88.439 percent. I felt his dance plan was a bit strained, with emphasis on unusual transitions, such as piaffe to a canter pirouette. It didn’t flow the way Lottie’s flight did.
Lottie earned four artistic marks of 99 from four judges (one was actually 99.200); Cathrine got two 99s in that category.
Riding to tunes appropriate to her theme, including “Come Fly With Me” and “Fly me to the Moon,” Lottie revealed, “I literally had a smile on my face when we were in extended canter This is the most incredible feeling in the world.”
Glamourdale’s extended canter has to feel like flying, the horse is practically airborne when his long stride is in gear.
She mentioned he was whinnying before he competed and was “so excited to get in (the arena) and he’s so excited to go in. He was completely relaxed with the crowd and just doing everything his best. He’s such an incredible horse. We both enjoyed it so much, every minute of it.”
Someone recounted that Gertjan Van Olst, one of the horse’s owners, realized Glamourdale’s potential as a seven-day-old foal when the dam, Thuja (by Negro), came to his farm in Holland to give birth. He said he wouldn’t let the colt leave before he bought the son of Lord Leatherdale.
Cathrine felt she lost the gold medal Friday in the Special because of her own mistakes. But things were different on Saturday.
“I didn’t expect anything else from Lottie than she was only going to put the ground on fire, which she did. I also had a personal best with Freestyle and she was fault-free, so I’m over the moon and so happy about my silver medal.”
Isabell was in the unenviable position of having to go last, following the stellar performances of Lottie and Cathrine. But as always, she handled the challenge.
“I feel so,so grateful and I’m so happy about my test today and the atmosphere,” she said.
“I got goose bumps when I went in, and then Wendy was so fantastic. I was, `Okay take the risk, risk risk. That’s the only chance I have to get a medal.’
“At the end it was so amazing she was so with me and i could play with the piaffe/passage.
click here for Grand Prix Freestyle results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 14, 2026
It was a battle royal, but the queen who earned the Grand Prix Special crown four years ago in Denmark did it again on Friday in Aachen.
A determined Lottie Fry of Great Britain and the fabulous Glamourdale topped a stellar roster of competitors in the Grand Prix Special at the FEI world championships.
Lottie and Glammy
The hugely anticipated face-off for the medals in this difficult test involved three riders who scored more than 80 percent to wind up on the podium, and three others just below that mark who also impressed mightily.
Lottie had a relatively comfortable edge with 82.295 percent over world number one Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark on Mount St. John Freestyle (80.927), who had some mistakes. Cathrine also took silver four years ago, but with another horse, Vamos Amigos.
The bronze went to Katharina Hemmer, a German making her world’s debut with Denoix PCH on 80.866. That kept her countrywoman, the legendary Isabell Werth, out of the medals after she rode Wendy de Fontaine to a 79.544 percent finish for fourth place.
Many expected the top placings to include former world number one Justin Verboomen of Belgium and Zonik Plus, but the black stallion didn’t show up at his best, coming in fifth with 79.362.
As usual, Glammy’s dramatic tempi changes and extended trot and canter were highlights, and little mistakes were inconsequential.
“It was just the most incredible test,” a rapturous Lottie said moments after clinching the title. Again.
“Glamourdale kind of knew how important it was and he loves that arena and he did the most amazing test. We’ve been really working for this point, just hoping we were going to peak at the right time. For it all to come together is like a dream.”
Lottie thanks Glammy for a job well-done.
Both horse and rider were “completely focused,” as Lottie put it, noting, “He felt relaxed, yet powerful and happy and just wanted to do his job. It was just an honor to be able to ride him in that arena and he gave everything he could. The more I asked, the more he gave.”
As it was happening so dramatically, Lottie thought happily, “This is just insane!”
Now she has to keep her freestyle title, which will be contested Saturday by the top 18 from the Special, for which 30 riders qualified from the Grand Prix on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cathrine and Free, who at one time was ridden by Britain’s Catherine Dujardin, looked up to the challenge as they entered the arena, and their marks started out well over the level set by the leader to that point, British star Carl Hester and Fame (who walked out of the arena to the music from the movie of that name.)
During Free’s test, his mouth was noticeably open in the piaffe after the walk, then had a mistake in the one-tempi changes and hopped out of the second pirouette.
“I’m disappointed with my ride today,” Cathrine recounted.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle.
“We started really well and Freestyle is in amazing form. She’s fit and she likes the arena. I hope I can do better in the Freestyle tomorrow and do as good as ‘Free’ does. I have to let today be today, and focus on tomorrow.
“I’m excited to ride our new freestyle and have one more chance to show what an amazing horse she is,” said Cathrine.
While the top two will meet again on Saturday, along with Justin, Isabell and Carl, Katharina felt Denoix had done enough and will not compete.
“I’m super proud of my horse,” she said.
“He tried everything for me and it was such a great feeling to ride him there in the big stadium and to feel he gave his very best.”
And how about finishing ahead of the great Isabell Werth?
“It was a big honor for me. to be in a battle with Isabell is a good feeling, because then you know you’ve reached the top,” said Katharina. And it all happened in her first championship.
Katharina Hemmer understandably was overjoyed with her medal ride.
Her horse is “such a sweet and kind soul. It took a while to get his pleasure, because he’s very sensitive, but now he knows he can really trust me and I think that showed in the ring today and I’m very pleased about that.”
He understands her. He moved a bit in the halt at the end of the Grand Prix as the crowd cheered, so as she neared the end of the Special, she told him, “It’s important to stand now.” And so he stood.
“He understood every word,” she believes.
Katharina hadn’t thought about getting an individual medal.
“My full focus was on the team competition. I was very happy that we could do our best Grand Prix ever for the team. That was my main thing and I said, `Everything that comes on top is just the cherry on the cream.’
“I didn’t have any pressure on myself. I just wanted to enjoy it because it’s the thing of a lifetime to be here in front of a home crowd.”
U.S. dressage involvement is over for these championships with an eighth-place team finish. They could have used Denoix, who has an American owner.
Christian Simonson, the only U.S. competitor to make the Special, finished twenty-ninth on Fleau de Baian with 68.456 percent.
“Felix felt amazing in there,” said Christian, noting he was happy with the passage and extension work.
Christian Simonson and Felix.
He had what he called “a cheeky little mistake coming into the first half-passes, where I did (one-tempi) changes.”
The judge rang the bell for the mistake and Christian picked up with the correct movement, but that affected his score.
He thought when he heard the bell, “Oh wait, wrong test,” and acknowledged he had focused in Germany on practicing the Grand Prix, rather than the Special,because that is the team test, and the team was what mattered most. But someone told him that the horse’s former rider, Adelinde Cornelissen, had done exactly the same thing in the 2013 European Championships with Felix’s full brother, Parzival (Jazz X Ulft).
But always displaying his upbeat attitude, Christian commented on his journey, that has taken him from Young Rider to second place in the Zen Elite World Cup Finals in April and now the world championships at age 23. He expressed gratitude to his coach, Adrienne Lyle, and Zen Elite, which owns his horse.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” he said.
We will have a separate piece on the wrap-up of eventing dressage, where the U.S. stands sixth going into Saturday’s cross-country and Britain leads the way, only 0.8 penalties ahead of Germany.
Click here for Grand Prix Special results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 15, 2026
Eventing generally is the least predictable of the Olympic equestrian sports, due to the quirks of cross-country. But heading into Sunday’s show jumping finale phase at the FEI World Championships, the standings were as predictable as they could be.
Favored Great Britain and Germany came through at Aachen on Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s twisting cross-country course to stand 1-2 in the team ranks, with 75.6 and 90 penalties. They are followed far back by Switzerland with 106.5. The U.S. is fifth on 112.3, moving up a notch from its position after the dressage phase.
Country-wise, those numbers would seem to eliminate a lot of the suspense about who takes home the medals. Since Britain and Germany can claim only one level each on the podium, there’s a tiny bit of drama in what nation gets the third team spot. But a rail down here and there in show jumping and who knows, things may change. A little, anyway.
Individually, Germany and Britain also dominate. Germany’s Michael Jung is looking for his fourth world championships gold, standing as number one with fischer Chipmunk FRH on his 23-penalty dressage score. Britain’s three-time Badminton winner Ros Canter is just 0.4 penalties back with her dressage score of 23.4 on Lordships Graffalo, better known as Walter and considered by many the world’s best event horse.
Two more Brits, Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin) are third and fourth (23.6 and 28.6).
I remember when Michael Jung first came to prominence at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. He didn’t want to speak English then as the media asked questions. Now he’s fluent, especially when rhapsodizing about his 18-year-old mount.
“firscher Chipmunk is an unbelievable horse. He’s powerful, he has a lot of stride. He was very good listening today, he was super with me in a good balance.”
Concerned about the making the optimum time of 9 minutes, 50 seconds, Michi pushed for it (there was a lot of elbow motion as he urged his horse on.)
Michael (Michi) Jung and fischer Chipmunk
“I asked him to go more forward and he did it,” Michi reported.
“He is fighting, he is galloping. The people around helped a lot, cheering, super atmosphere out there. It’s amazing. This is something special here.”
The USA’s Will Coleman had a brilliant run with the perky Diabolo, coming in two seconds under the 9:50 optimum time to stand sixth on his dressage score of 30 penalties, going from twenty-first after that first phase to sixth.
He is just 0.6 penalties back of Germany’s speedy Christoph Wahler, an impressive nine seconds under the optimum with D’Accord FRH.
Will Coleman and Diabolo (USEF photo)
The word of the day was “amazing” from Will, when he talked about his 14-year-old Holsteiner, an Australian import
Graciously, the Kentucky 5-star champion commented about Diabolo, “He was better than the rider today. I give him all the credit. He’s an amazing horse.”
From the first jump out of the start box, Diabolo was on his game.
Will — the only American to win eventing at Aachen (2021) noted that the venue offered “a really intense cross-country test…a bit frenetic,” and pointed out the horse had never been there before.
But then he said it again, “he was just amazing.”
Will said he got pointers from the riders from his squad that went before him. That included Caroline Pamukcu on the reliable HSH Blake, who dropped a leg at the upright brush at 17C, more than halfway through the 28-obstacle route. Caroline tipped off and was eliminated, but still offered “as much insight as she could give us.”
Her elimination means the team only has three riders. The British team suffered the same fate when Gemma Stevens had three refusals with Flash Cooley and had to leave the course. But even in a team of four, only three scores count, (the worst score is the drop score) and the Olympics only allows three on a team. So, good practice?
Tamie Smith stands eighteenth with Lillet 3, who had only 8 time penalties. She is not a member of the team; her mare is only 10 and was untested at championship level. But Will noted she was as much a part of things as any team member.
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 (USEF Photo)
Of her Holsteiner’s performance, Tamie said, “She was everything I hoped she’d be. It was fast and furious. She’s such a cross-country machine it felt incredible.
She really didn’t have any idea of what to expect when she started out on the course that was “just so in your face. It was the unknown,” Tamie explained.
“I rode her like she was a seasoned horse and she acted like one. She fought all the way to the end, she fought for the whole time. I just kept patting her and telling her `good girl.’
“What a horse. She’s got a huge career ahead of her. I’m thrilled; she couldn’t have done better.”
Sadly, after pulling up, Lillet was discovered to have a “badly placed overreach” and was withdrawn before Sunday morning’s veterinary check.
“We’ve made the decision to save her for another day,” Tamie announced on social media.
“It’s gutting, to say the least, but our horses must always come first. Above the results, the championships, and everything we work so hard for – their wellbeing is what matters most.”
Since she rode as an individual, her withdrawal did not affect the team standings.
Click here for individual results; click here for team results.
