2026 FEI World Championships Recap: Absolutely Awesome Aachen

OK, we get it now. Aachen is “all that” and more, just as everyone said it would be. We were told every equestrian should see the premier German sports facility at least once in their lives and we agree. We are glad that we made the trip to see the just-right mix of old-world charm and modern conveniences, happy we experienced the incomparable atmosphere there, and to have witnessed first-hand the pinnacle of equestrian sport in the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026.  

Competition in Aachen ran August 10-23. Over 680 human competitors and around 815 horses representing 65 countries took part in the 2026 FEI World Championships. Countries competing for the first time at the Championships were Cyprus, Indonesia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Monaco, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.  

Six sport disciplines were contested, three each week. Week one was dressage, eventing and vaulting. Driving, para-dressage and show jumping filled week two. Find more about the 2026 FEI World Championships here.

USA Shines Brightly

All in all, it was a successful Championships for the USA. U.S. athletes tied with overall-medal-count-winner Germany for the most number of gold medals earned (6) and placed third in number of medals collected (8 for the USA, 20 for Germany and 13 for Great Britain).  

The USA came away with team gold and five individual/freestyle golds in para-dressage (Marie Vonderheyden two medals, Fiona Howard one medal, Kate Shoemaker, two medals). With the para-dressage team gold in Aachen on a record-setting score, the U.S. continued to dominate the sport, having also won team gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games and team bronze at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark.  

In eventing, the USA won team bronze with Will Coleman riding Diabolo for the USA to fourth in the final individual standings. His teammates Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker finished 13th and Phillip Dutton and Denim, in 27th. 

Chester Weber of the USA won individual bronze in driving, breaking his own previous world record in the dressage phase with his stellar four-in-hand of Dutch Harness horses (Amadeus, Despardo, Kadora, Julius V, and Nico Tuesje C*). The U.S. Driving Team finished fifth in the final tally.  

U.S. vaulter Kimberly Palmer finished her World Championships in fourth place. The U.S. Vaulting Team finished sixth in the standings.  

There was also a fourth-place finish for the U.S. Jumping Team (less than one rail out of the bronze-medal position). U.S. riders Laura Kraut and Baloutinue and McLain Ward and High Star Hero both competed in the individual finals, finishing 14th and 21st, respectively. Sixteen-year-old J.J. Torano and the stallion Lyon 50, owned by Kadley Farms LLC and North Run, represented the USA in the CSI-Y division winning the class on the first day, were members of the winning team on day two, and finishing 11th in the final.  

The U.S. Dressage Team had a number of last-minute substitutions, but the team came together and gave their best earning valuable experience. U.S. rider Christian Simonson riding Zen Elite’s stallion Fleau de Baian advanced to the Grand Prix Special, finishing 29th individually. U.S.-based rider from Ecuador, Julio Mendoza Loor riding Jewel’s Goldstrike, placed 22nd in the Grand Prix Special. And, Canada’s Brittany Frasier-Beaulieu, who many will recognize from the Florida circuit, finished 27th in the Special with her Jaccardo.

U.S. Athletes and Chefs d’ Equipe Share the Joy

Dressage

Christian Simonson said after his Grand Prix Special test on Fleau de Baian, owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Georgia Morgan, “He felt amazing in the ring today—with me at each step—and the passage and the extension work I was so happy with. I had a cheeky little mistake coming into the first half-passes where I did some changes thinking I was still in the Grand Prix test. It’s been an amazing journey. I feel very grateful to learn and grow while continuing my career. This was an example of that today; I’m very happy to be here.”

Eventing

Will Coleman commented on the consistent performances of his horse Diabolo and the team effort to earn bronze, “‘Dabs’ was just himself all week—he is such a star. He is incredible. He knows the job and I knew he was going to do everything in his power to leave the rails up. I think it’s a testament to the team. All four of us didn’t get off to the greatest start, but everybody kept a really cool head. We kept chipping away throughout the course of the weekend. Our management, Leslie [Law] and Karyn [Schuter], exuded a certain amount of confidence and we fed off that. We made each day count as best we could.” 

Vaulting

Kimberly Palmer talked about how the Aachen atmosphere played into her fifth World Championship appearance, the work she’d put in to get there and working with lunger Laura Carnabuci and her horse Rosenstolz, “It’s really special to be here, to be in this huge arena with all the spectators. I heard a huge squad of people cheering; that was really empowering. I’ve been working with Laura and Rosenstolz for about five years now. I was paired with another one of her horses, and then she allowed me to vault him at the end of 2021. I was really excited for freestyle this week, and just wanted to show my best, and how hard I’ve been training.” 

Driving

Chester Weber went into the cones phase on the final day of driving, after spectacular efforts by him and his team in dressage and marathon, knowing a medal was on the line. They dropped one ball in cones, but still came away with individual bronze. “I feel great, and the horses felt fantastic to drive. I had a little bit of a cheap fault very early on, which was my fault, so I was super pleased with the horses. I think that at the end of the day, it has to be something like that [Formula 1 Racing]. Without a good engine guy and a good tire guy, you can’t make racing happen. I have the most fantastic people behind me and the horses. They make my job possible. It’s a team sport—there’s not a man standing here before me today that can do this well without a team.”  

Jumping

Chef d’ Equipe Robert Ridland on the U.S. Jumping Team’s fourth-place finish and McLain Ward’s clear round on High Star Hero in the team final, “McLain showed us tonight why he’s the anchor: he’s done it before, and that’s why he goes last. We had quite a few high points. Katie came through for us on the second day, which was great because she didn’t have a great first day, and Laura and Lillie were consistent throughout. It wasn’t our night for the podium, but we still pulled together a strong performance against the world’s best combinations to finish in the top four out of 31 international teams.” 

Para-Dressage

Kate Shoemaker, who competes in Grade IV due to partial paralysis of her right leg from periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury that occurred at birth, about her horse Vianne and their freestyle. “This horse is so special. The medals are icing on the cake. I decided that it’s the last day and I was not going to hold back. She stayed relaxed and with me the whole time. I think we had our best extended trot of the entire competition, so I added it impromptu down the last centerline just for fun. It feels like maybe I’ll wake up from a dream tomorrow.”  

Marie Vonderheyden, former FEI level event rider who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2015 and returned to the international ring in 2019 as a Grade I para-dressage athlete, said the rhythm of their freestyle music helps them in the test. “The music helps us move as one. This is my first time at a championship, so for me it’s hard to put it into words. It was a fantastic experience.” 

Fiona Howard, Grade II rider who battles dystonia, a neuromuscular disease that causes her muscles to contract and twist involuntarily, said the fatigue was strong on Sunday morning before their test, “I went in for the freestyle and said to Diamond Dunes, ‘I’m gonna need a little more help this time,’ and he was like, ‘Okay, I got you.’ I can just totally trust him. We had a slightly new ending to my freestyle that we debuted today. He was ready for it, and I’m so proud of him. It has been a phenomenal week—it’s incredible to be competing here in Aachen, especially with such a special horse.” 

Rebecca Hart, Grade III rider and five-time Paralympian who won three gold medals with her mare Floratina at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, after their freestyle test in Aachen, “I am so pleased that we came out here and did three very consistent days. Floratina has been perfect—that first section of trot work was on the money every beat. I never thought we were going to make it to Aachen; I thought Paris was going to be our swan song. But at 18, she’s happy and fit, so we will see what the future holds.” 

Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline on the team’s performance in winning gold with a world-record score, “We all had high expectations. I know that expectations don’t always come to fruition, but this is just incredible. It’s an amazing thing to be here on this incredible stage—the biggest stage in the world for equestrian athletes. For the team to perform as they did, and also set a record, is incredible. It takes a certain kind of village, and we have the best village in the world behind us.” 

Other Highlights of the 2026 FEI World Championships

Beyond the USA’s success, the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen were marked by a number of notable achievements. In dressage, the German Team won a 13th gold medal (more team titles than any other country) with Great Britain in silver and Denmark taking bronze. Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale won their second set of consecutive world titles (individual and freestyle), having also won four years ago in Denmark. And, the most decorated rider of all time, Isabell Werth from Germany, competed in her eighth Championships and earned her 13th and 14th medals (team gold and freestyle bronze).  

In eventing, the British Eventing Team led from start to finish and achieved a record low score (the score reflects penalty points, so lower is better) to take the gold over the German Team in silver. Individually, Germany’s Michael Jung won his fifth World Championships title (this time riding fischerChipmunk FRH), more than any other rider.  

In vaulting, Germany captured a number of medals. The German Team and the German Squad won gold medals, German female vaulters swept all three individual medals, while the German Pas de Deux pair won bronze, and Bela Lehnen from Germany took bronze in the male individual finals. France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland rounded out the other vaulting medals.  

The second week in driving, Australia’s Boyd Exell won his eighth consecutive Individual World Driving Championship and led his county to team silver. The Netherlands won a record 13th World Driving Team Championship. Belgium earned team bronze.  

Also in week two, Germany earned yet another team gold on home soil, this time in show jumping with Belgium and Great Britain taking silver and bronze, respectively. In the individual jumping finals, which closed out the Championships, Swiss rider Steve Guerdat completed his impressive resume, which already included Olympic and World Cup gold medals, by capturing individual gold with Dynamix de Belheme. 

More About Aachen & the Venue

The venue for the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 was the Sportpark Soers located on the northeast corner of the city of Aachen, the western-most city in Germany, less than 20 minutes from the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands. On the outskirts of the city is agricultural and parkland, while the city center is called the “Altstadt” (old city) where the UNESCO World Heritage cathedral (Aachener Dom) and historic city building (Rathaus) are located, among other places of interest. The bones of King Charlemagne, the Frankish ruler who reigned from 768-814, are housed in the cathedral.  

Sportpark Soers is a huge multi-sport facility with an office building, large soccer stadium, an ice arena, racquet sports facilities, three equestrian competition stadiums, multiple warm-up arenas, a sprawling eventing cross-country/driving marathon course, and ample stabling to host major championships. A number of equestrian bronzes and fountains decorate the grounds while trellised roses climb the outer walls of the stables, and flower and tree-lined walkways guide visitors from stadium to stadium.  

Aachen last hosted the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2006, but well before that they began staging equestrian sport tournaments in 1924. Over the years, the grounds have been home to no fewer than six World Championships and nine European Championships. Each summer the venue is also the site of the Aachen CHIO equestrian sports tournament, the largest equestrian competition in Germany and affectionately referred to by locals and athletes as “Chee-O”.  

The theme for this year’s World Championships was “Welcome Home” and the phrase was used often in the opening and closing ceremonies as well as on signage around the grounds. The final obstacle on eventing cross-country was the “Welcome Home” jump and the driving teams crossed under the same arch at they finished marathon. 

Olympic/Paralympic Qualification on the Line

It’s worth noting that while these World Championships were a critical first opportunity for countries to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, the USA did not have that pressure this time because the host nation is automatically qualified to compete. Even without the pressure of Olympic/Paralympic qualification, the U.S. athletes and Chefs d’Equipe stated that they arrived in Aachen ready to give their all for the USA in the 2026 Championships.  

For those countries who did not qualify teams or individuals for LA28 during these World Championships, they still have a chance at their respective continental championships next year. For the Americas (North, Central, South and the Caribbean Islands) those will be the Pan American Games July 23-August 8, 2027, in Lima, Peru. Find more about the 2027 Pan American Games here. 

Synopses of Results by Sport at the 2026 FEI World Championships

Dressage

Ninety-one horse-and-rider combinations representing 34 countries started.

The top three teams were Germany, gold; Great Britain, silver; Denmark, bronze. Individual medalists were Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale (GBR), gold; Catherine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle (DEN), silver; Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine (GER), bronze. Highest placed U.S. horse and rider pair was Christian Simonson and Fleau de Baian, 29th in the Grand Prix Special.  

U.S. Dressage Team members were: 

◆ 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 

Eventing

Eighty-eight competitors from 27 countries competed.  

The top three teams were Great Britain, gold; Germany, silver; USA, bronze. Individual medalists were Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH (GER), gold; Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo (GBR), silver; Laura Collett and London 52 (GBR), bronze.  

U.S. Eventing Team members were:

◆ 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 

◆ 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  

Riding as an individual for the USA was:

◆ 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

Vaulting

Over 200 vaulters and lungers and 93 horses representing 25 countries, plus one neutral athlete, participated in vaulting.  

The top three in team competition (a combination of the scores of an individual female, individual male and squad of six vaulters) were Germany, first; France, second; Italy, third. The top three vaulting squads (six athletes) were Germany, first; France, second; Austria, third. The top three Pas de Deux vaulters (pair of athletes) were Theo Gardies and Noely Thibaudat (FRA), first; Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella (ITA), second; Jannik Heiland and Kimberly Hyks (GER), third.  

Medalists in individual male vaulting were Quentin Jabet (FRA), gold; Sam Dos Santos (NED), silver; Bela Lehnen (GER), bronze. Medalists in individual female vaulting were Alice Layher (GER), gold; Kathrin Meyer (GER), silver; Annemie Szemes (GER), bronze.  

Representing the USA in vaulting were: 

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.)  

Driving

Fifty-four drivers from 19 countries competed. The top three countries fielding teams were the Netherlands, gold; Australia, silver; Belgium, bronze. The top three individual medals were Boyd Exell (AUS), gold; Dries Degrieck (BEL), silver; Chester Weber (USA), bronze (he set a new world record for his score in the dressage phase). 

The U.S. Driving Team members were:

◆ James Fairclough (Newton, N.J.)

◆ Taren Lester (Citra, Fla.)

◆ Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.)

Competing as an individual for the USA was:

◆  Jean Thornton (De Lion Springs, Fla.).  

Para-Dressage

Ninety-two horse-and-rider combinations from 31 nations competed across the five grades of para-dressage. The competitors in each grade completed a Grand Prix Test A to determine individual medals, then a Grand Prix Test B to determine Team Medals. Then, the top eight in each grade returned for the Freestyle on the final day to determine the individual freestyle medals.  

The top three teams were: the USA, gold; Germany, silver; the Netherlands, bronze. Grade I Test A Individual gold and Grade I Freestyle gold, Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H (USA). Grade II Test A individual gold, Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 (GER). Grade II Freestyle gold, Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes (USA). Grade III Test A individual gold and Grade III Freestyle gold, Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P. Grade IV Test A individual gold and Grade IV Freestyle gold, Kate Shoemaker and Vianne (USA). Grade V Test A individual gold, Sophie Wells and MSJ Gold Standard (GBR). Grade V Freestyle gold, Lena Malmström and Fabulous Fidelie (SWE).  

U.S. Para-Dressage Team members were:   

◆ 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  

Jumping

The most diverse representation of all the sports at the World Championships, there were 146 competitors from 51 nations competing in jumping (31 teams and 25 individuals). Additionally there was an Under 25 German Jumping Championship and an international CSI-Y young rider jumper competition with riders from many nations competing, including J.J. Torano from the USA.  

The top three teams were Germany, gold; Belgium, silver; Great Britain, bronze. The U.S. Team finished fourth. The top three individual medalists were Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme, SUI, gold; Thibeau Spits and Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z (BEL), silver; Harry Charles and LT Holst Freda (GBR), bronze.

U.S. Jumping Team members were: 

◆ 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 Baloutinue, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Balou du Roet x Landor S) owned by St. Brides Farm, and cared for by Alex Tyler-Morris  

◆ 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  

Find a complete set of World Championships results, orders of go and course maps here.

Relive the 2026 FEI Word Championships Action

For die-hard fans, reruns of the entire 2026 World Championships competition can be viewed on demand on FEI TV via the ClipMyHorse platform, although a subscription is required. United States Equestrian Federation members receive a 10 percent discount to ClipMyHorse TV; find more information here. Footage from previous World Championships is also available there. Visit here for more information.  

The FEI YouTube Channel also has a smattering of free-to-view footage from medal- winning performances during the 2026 FEI World Championships. Find the FEI YouTube Channel here. 

Among these YouTube videos are rides by gold-medal winning U.S. para-dressage riders Kate Shoemaker with her mare Vianne, and Marie Vonderheyden with Karin Flint’s gelding Fan Tastico H. U.s. driver Chester Weber’s world-record-setting dressage phase with his stellar four-in-hand of Dutch Harness Horses is also available there.  

Find more news about the U.S. athletes in Aachen here.

The FEI also has a comprehensive 2026 World Championships news page here. 

For more photos, see our Horse Illustrated daily social media features from both weeks of the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 competition.  

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