by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 21, 2026
The medal simply slipped away.
The U.S., which had been second in the FEI World Show Jumping Championships after two days of competition, faltered on Friday and dropped to fourth place. It was a close finish in the team final, with the Americans’ score of 16.95 penalties less than one rail from bronze medal Great Britain (12.98 penalties).
It seemed almost predestined that home side Germany would take gold in Aachen with a mere 4.48 penalties as European champion Belgium captured silver on 11.69.
The victorious German team: Richie Vogel, Marcus Ehning, Chef D’Equipe Otto Becker, Sophie Hinners and Daniel Deusser. (FEI Photo/Benjamin Clark)
The course by Aachen’s resident designer, Frank Rothenberger, was challenging under the lights, with several fences standing 1.65 meters, a triple combination set six strides before the open water and rain for much of the evening that made the ground a bit of an issue.
For the U.S., Laura Kraut once again was the trailblazer with just one rail down at the B element of the triple combination on Baloutinue, who had been a last-minute choice as her ride.
“I was thrilled with my horse,” said Laura, who also competed on the U.S. team 20 years ago at Aachen, when it hosted the World, Equestrian Games.
Laura Kraut, right, with the 2006 U.S. silver medal show jumping team at Aachen.
Of Baloutinue she said, “He was fantastic tonight. I thought I came in well (to the triple) but I definitely knew when I jumped A I was underpowered for B. i did feel he was a little slippy on the ground, so my advice for the rest of the team was to go up a size in studs.”
Once she made it through the triple, Laura said of her mount, “I knew he wouldn’t touch another one, because he knows he’s not supposed to hit one. i thought he finished the hard part unbelievable.”
After that, however, things really began falling apart.
Katie Dinan had an unhappy start with Out of the Blue SCF on Wednesday, when she was the drop score, as the mare toppled two rails. She recouped the next day for a perfect trip.
But in the team final, Bridey, as the horse is nicknamed, got intp trouble at the triple combination. Katie resorted to vocal encouragement at the B element and then toppled C. As a result, there was no way to reach the next obstacle, the open water jump, in six strides. She started to run past it, then elected to retire and became the drop score again.
Lillie Keenan, fault-free with Fasther the first two days, crashed through the first fence — the 1.65 meter Lindt oxer that also got many other riders — then had a rail at the next-to-last fence, a liverpool, for a total of 8 penalties.
“I do think my horse, he’s so in touch with me, he knew I was a little deflated,” Lillie commented, saying she thought he might not have been quite as focused as usual.
A refusal in the schooling area, where she said there were no lights, didn’t help before she went into the arena.
Knowing that her score had to count for the team after Katie retired on course, she suggested, “I maybe was riding a little bit more defensive. To jump around to win, you have to be on the offense, not the defense, I think that’s kind of the result that we saw.”
Anchor rider McLain Ward, who had a rail down on each of the first two days with High Star Hero, wound up fault-free. But there was no way to catch the nations that already had clinched their places on the podium.
McLain Ward and High Star Hero had the only clean round for the U.S. on Friday. (USEF Photo)
Reflecting on his team’s change of fortune, U.S. Coach Robert Ridland conceded, “It’s a hard one. In championships, you can’t be good two out of three days. You’ve got to be good all three days. We came close.
“Fourth out of 31 teams isn’t bad, but it’s not what we aim for. We were aiming for the podium. We were actually mathematically close until the last two riders from the end. We had quite a few high points,” he continued.
“Katie came through for us on the second day—that was great— because she didn’t have a great first day. And Laura was really consistent throughout, and so was Lillie. That was a very odd mistake at the first fence
tonight. McLain showed us tonight why he’s the anchor: he’s done it before, and that’s why he goes last.
“We actually had a pretty good week, but a podium is what we came here for,” he concluded.
Designer Frank Rothenberger’s course for the Friday team final.
The mood in the U.S. camp was understandably somber, but total jubilation reigned as expected among the 40,000 spectators in the standing-room-only arena seating, after the first three German riders had three clear jumping rounds and one time penalty.
Richie Vogel, German team anchor rider, and his fans.
The final rider, European Champion Richie Vogel, was the drop score for the second time this week with United Touch S.
Okay, he only had two time penalties, but his number wasn’t even needed. Richie galloped past the spectators after his round, reaching out to touch their congratulatory hands as his ecstatic smile shone through the rain.
Show jumping ends Sunday with the individual finals for the top 25. Laura qualified in twelfth place with 5.06 penalties and McLain made the cut in twenty-first place (6.62). The lead is shared by Steve Guerdat of Switzerland and the man who clinched team gold for Germany, Daniel Deusser (both on 0.86).
We often see empty stands for medal presentations, but no one at Aachen dreamed of leaving their spot and missing the momentous occasion when the team accepted gold — the first time Germany had won the world championship on home turf.
Their enthusiasm was unchecked, as they sang “Sweet Caroline” before the awards ceremony, then wildly cheered their team with joy that was contagious, even for those who weren’t German.
The top seven teams qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Actually, the list goes down to number eight, because the U.S. automatically qualified as the host nation. In addition to the top three, the qualifiers are Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and France. Countries that didn’t qualify can do so next year at the European Championships or Pan American Games.
That veteran of veterans, Marcus Ehning, led the way for a German victory with Coolio 42.
On happier notes for the U.S., Chester Weber broke the record to win the dressage phase in four-in-hand driving (see our second feature below this story or click here) and 16-year-old whiz kid JJ Torano won the Stawag Prize for Young Riders with Lyon 50. We no doubt will see that young man on a championships team in the near future.
Of his first trip to the German shrine of show jumping, JJ acknowledged, “I was a little nervous.”
When it was his turn to jump, he realized, `Whoa, Aachen is a different feeling than any other ring.’ ”
He mentioned that there was “a little bit of nervousness for sure, but I’ve learned how to deal with it over the last few years. I tend to do well when I’m under pressure or nervous. There’s no better place to win than Aachen. I came here with the intent to win.” And he got what he came for.
There is no jumping on Saturday (the turf could use a little rest), only four-in-hand driving and Para Dressage. Click here for team results. Click here for individual qualifier results. Click here for results in the Stawag Prize for Young Riders.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2026
It was not only a gold medal, but also a world record for Kate Shoemaker and her Vianne at the FEI Para Dressage world championships in Aachen on Thursday.
A two-time Paralympian, Kate earned the honors in FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade IV. Their personal best was 78.889 percent, breaking the world record for that competition.
Kate and Vianne (USEF photo)
“The entire test felt harmonious, and that was the one thing I wanted,” said Kate, competing in in her second FEI World Championship.
“I wasn’t thinking about points, or scores, or medals,” she recounted.
“I was thinking, ‘How can I show this very special horse to the best of our ability today?’ ”
Gold medalist Kate Shoemaker on the podium with Anna-Lena Niehues and Nicola Traylor. (FEI/Leanjo de Koster)
The world record is Kate’s second in Aachen after taking over the title for the Grand Prix Test B at CHIO Aachen in April. This week’s record-breaking personal best came with scores above 80 percent from judges at M and B.
Kate was hoping to add to her bronze medal from the last FEI World Championships in Herning Denmark, four years ago. Her first high-profile effort with Vianne was the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“Coming into Paris, we were trying to figure each other out. She was eight, and one day an aid would do one thing, and the next day, it did something else,” said Kate, who has partial paralysis of her right leg due to periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury that occurred at birth.
“This year, we came into our own as a partnership, and it feels so easy,” continued Kate, 38.
“I can go in there and just think about it, and the ride’s going to happen. She gives me her whole heart. That’s what it felt like today; she was completely one with me. I was so happy, I was crying before the final halt.”
Shoemaker’s gold medal came a day after her teammate, Marie Vonderhayden, and Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H secured individual gold in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade I.
“Two gold medals in two days is a very good feeling, and for Kate to have another world record is amazing,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline.
“The higher grades are very technical, so for her to get a high score is difficult. We are very excited for the rest of the week.”
click here for results
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 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.
