The Aachen Sportpark Soers was a hive of activity today as last-minute details were being completed by a host of staff and volunteers in preparation for the opening of competition for the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026. It was 20 years ago, in 2006, that Aachen, Germany, last hosted the FEI World Championships. This year marks the sixth time that the team in Aachen has hosted the FEI Championships, and they have an additional nine European Championships under their belt. The FEI Championships run August 11-23, 2026.
The impeccably-groomed, iconic sports venue is just north of the city of Aachen, the western-most city in Germany, and is located just a few kilometers from both Belgium and the Netherlands. Aachen is not only famous for equestrian sport, but also as the home of the Frankish King Charlemagne who also managed to have himself named a Holy Roman Emperor during his reign from 768-814. He is buried in the cathedral in Aachen.
The equestrian world is waiting to tune in for the next two weeks to see which horse and rider/driver/vaulter combinations will be crowned World Champions. In addition to bragging rights and national pride, these Championships are a way for countries to qualify individual athletes and teams to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This year’s FEI Championships include the senior finals in six sports (dressage, driving, eventing, para-dressage, show jumping, vaulting), as well as FEI Competition in youth jumpers (CSI-Y) and Under 25 (CSNU25) jumpers. Opening and Closing Ceremonies, shopping, dining and educational events round out the roster for 2026.
The Championships unofficially began today with the dressage first horse inspection with all 91 horses from 34 countries passing inspection this morning. Competition officially kicks off tomorrow with day one of two Grand Prix dressage. Later this week, eventing and vaulting competition begin as well. Next week, driving, para-dressage and show jumping are contested.
Fans can watch all of the action with a paid subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV. US Equestrian members receive a 10 percent discount coupon for ClipMyHorse. There is also some flashback coverage of previous championships currently available to watch for free. Visit clipmyhorse.tv/en_US for more information.
They may also follow the action via these website links:
◆ US Equestrian Aachen 2026 Page
◆ Official Aachen 2026 Website
U.S. Fields Teams In All Six Disciplines
The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships includes the following combinations in alphabetical order:
◆ Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Toronto Lightfoot, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Totilas x Onassis) owned by Scott Durkin, and cared for by Inka Kalberlah
◆ Ashley Holzer (Wellington, Fla.) and Hawtins San Floriana, a 2012 Hanoverian mare (San Amour I x Florestan I) owned by Dr. Diane Fellows and Ashley Holzer, and cared for by Allie Conti
◆ Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) and Heartbeat W.P.,a 2012 KWPN gelding (Charmeur x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, and cared for by Meghan Laffin
◆ Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) and Fleau de Baian, a 2010 KWPN stallion (Broere Jazz x Ulft) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, and cared for by Georgia Morga
The Defender U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships will include the following combinations:
◆ Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group, and cared for by Erin Jarboe
◆ Direct Reserves: Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x ARD Ohio) owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, and Very Dignified, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Ricardo Z) owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen, and Elizabeth Lendrum, both cared for by Erin Jarboe
◆ Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Denim, a 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Dinken x Ibisco) owned by Anne Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites, and cared for by Emma Yanek
◆ Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R. x Cobra) owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers, and cared for by Stephanie Simpson
◆ Caroline Pamukcu (Springfield, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Kannan) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, and Deniz Pamukcu, and cared for by Chloe Teahan
◆ Tamie Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Lillet 3, a 2016 Holsteiner mare (SIEC Livello x Calidio I) owned by Molly and Jennifer Duda, and cared for by Savannah Gwin
The Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team members are listed in alphabetical order below.
◆ Natalie Dean (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Mr Boombastic, a 2014 Selle Français gelding (Vigo Cece x Sable Rose) owned by Marigold Sporthorses, LLC and cared for by Luis Guarneros
◆ Katie Dinan (New York, N.Y.) and Out of the Blue SCF, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Verdi TN x San Patrignano Cassini) owned by Grant Road Partners LLC, and cared for by Lou Beudin
◆ Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) and Fasther, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer) owned by Chansonette Farm, LLC, and cared for by Anna Halász
◆ Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Bisquetta, a 2014 Zangersheide mare (Bisquet Balou C x Takashi van Berkenbroek) owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc., and cared for by Alex Tyler Morris and Margo Thomas
◆ McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and High Star Hero, a 2013 Belgian Sport Horse gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Darco) owned by Michael Smith, and cared for by Caroline Holmberg and Edwin Soto
The U.S. Para Dressage Team will include these athletes:
◆ Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD), owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young
◆ Fiona Howard (Boston, Mass.) and Diamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De L’Or x Wolkentanz), owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty
◆ Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and Vianne, her own 2016 Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube) cared for by Jessica Martin-Legg
◆ Marie Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Furstenball OLD x Weltmeyer), owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo
The U.S. Vaulting Team includes the following athletes:
Individual Males
◆ Jace Brooks (Eagle Mountain, Utah)
◆ Daniel Janes (Standwood, Wa.)
Individual Females
◆ Kylynn Ghafouri (Murrieta, Calif.)
◆ Caroline Morse (Los Gatos, Calif.)
◆ Kimberly Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.)
◆ Traveling Reserve: Tessa Divita (Portola Valley, Calif.)
Pas de Deux
◆ Gracie Griffiths (Elk Ridge, Utah) and Todd Griffiths (Elk Ridge, Utah)
◆ Daniel Janes (Standwood, Wa.) and Emily Rose (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
◆ Traveling Reserves: Calle Davis (Spanish Fork, Utah) and Abigail Walker (Mapleton, Utah)
Squad – Pacific Coast:
◆ Francesca Foster (Las Vegas, Nev.)
◆ Clea Limbrey (Redwood City, Calif.)
◆ Nina Limbrey (Redwood City, Calif.)
◆ Emma Milito (Brighton, Colo.)
◆ Naomi Morgenthaler (Menlo Park, Calif.)
◆ Emily Rose (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
◆ Emmalyn Rotter (Redwood City, Calif.)
◆ Evalyn Rotter (Redwood City, Calif.)
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