The 2026 FEI World Championships will be hosted in Aachen from August 11–23, 2026, featuring six major equestrian disciplines: show jumping, dressage, para dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting. This prestigious event, held at the historical Aachener Soers grounds, will showcase world-class sport, and will attract around 350,000 spectators. 

Show jumping at the CHIO Aachen. Photo by Amber Heintzberger

In the summer of 2024, my horse-obsessed, then 15-year-old daughter Emily and I ventured to Aachen to experience the CHIO. We were already in Germany visiting my in-laws near Warendorf, and I had attended the CHIO a number of times as an equine journalist and wanted Emily to see behind the scenes at one of the greatest horse events in the world.  

We stayed at the home of longtime friends who live in Aachen and were incredibly gracious hosts. My friend Heidi lives upstairs from her mom, Gerlinde, who put us up in a spare bedroom and laid out a spread of fresh baked goods from the bakery, along with coffee, cheese and fruit every morning before we set off for the Soers. 

We arrived on Thursday afternoon, and with cameras and notebooks in hand, we parked our rental car, collected our media credentials and scoped out the media center. Emily was excited about the fact that Lindt, a major sponsor of the CHIO, provides an abundant supply of chocolate to keep members of the media happy. She was also starstruck when we met Esme Higgs, who was working on social media for the event. 

First we set off to explore the competition grounds. We briefly browsed the trade fair, had a little snack of pommes frites (delicious French fries), and then headed for the main stadium. One of the original structures at the Soers, the stadium was expanded for the World Equestrian Games in 2006. The atmosphere is awe-inspiring, and we had arrived in time so that we could photograph the Nations Cup from inside the stadium. Photographers must stay in the photo pens, and vying for a good spot in the pack of photographers can be a challenge during the more popular events. Once you’re in place, you’re also committed to staying in the pen for the duration of the evening, so it’s best to visit the restrooms and have a snack and a drink handy. 

Standing in the middle of the stadium, under the bright lights, with the stands filled with spectators, right in the middle of the action, is an unforgettable experience. Some of the world’s best horses and riders galloping and jumping huge fences, right up close, and the entire stadium vibrating with rhythmic applause of thousands of fans, is electrifying to the senses. Team Ireland won the Nations Cup and their celebratory mood reverberated through the grounds as spectators headed to the party tents to celebrate with beer and champagne. 

It was a late night, but we were back early the next morning to catch the eventing dressage, with eventing show jumping taking place later that afternoon. Once again we positioned ourselves in the stadium for some good photo opportunities, chatting with fellow eventing journalist Tilly Berendt, who was over from the U.K., between horses. After years of working in equestrian journalism, the chance to catch up with colleagues is always a highlight of attending major competitions. Photographers Shannon Brinkman, official photographer of the US Equestrian Team, and her daughter Roya, and New Zealander Libby Law were just a couple of the other friend/colleagues that I enjoyed seeing over the weekend. 

Victory gallop at the CHIO Aachen. Photo by Amber Heintzberger

I also wanted to show Emily around the city of Aachen, so we left shortly after the eventing wrapped up and found dinner at a restaurant in one of the cobbled alleys in the pedestrian zone near the Aachen Cathedral, a World Heritage site. Shops around the city decorate their windows with CHIO-themes and we enjoyed looking at these as we wandered around. We also stopped in the Nobis shop for a little bag of Aachener Printen, a sweet and spicy gingerbread-type cookie that is a local specialty. 

Saturday for us meant an early morning of Grand Prix dressage, followed by one of the highlights of the weekend, the eventing cross-country. We wandered around the course, watching some of the more interesting combinations including the main water complex, and nibbling from a bag of assorted Haribo gummy candies from one of the vendors on course. We finished up inside the stadium to capture the excitement of the top finishers clearing the final fence and crossing the finish line — a dramatic photo opportunity as this was the final phase of the event. 

The individual win went to Germany’s Julia Krajewski riding Nickel 21 and the cheers from the home crowd reverberated through the stadium as Krajewski took a victory canter. Great Britain won the team competition followed by the USA and Ireland, respectively.  

Of course we also had to have a wander through the trade fair, where many high-end brands of tack and equestrian apparel are available at special prices. Emily was on a mission to buy a certain popular brand of sun shirt, and I bought a few gifts for friends back home. We met up with Emily’s cousin Jana, who proudly showed off her new collection of matching saddle pads and ear bonnets.  

Saturday evening is a popular time for the general public to visit the CHIO to shop, partake in food and beverages, and socialize. The party atmosphere was fun, but we opted for a quiet dinner at a Chinese restaurant in downtown Aachen with our hosts. You can only handle so much excitement before you start to run out of steam, and we wanted to have a good night of sleep so that we could enjoy the final day of the CHIO. 

On Sunday morning we headed to the Deutsche Bank stadium for the final dressage competition. The Lindt Prize, the Grand Prix Freestyle, was won by the Queen of Aachen herself, Isabell Werth riding Wendy de Fontaine. It was Werth’s 15th time winning this class and the crowd was appropriately enthusiastic during her victory gallop.  

Isabell Werth salutes the crowd aboard Wendy de Fontaine after winning the Lindt Prize, the Grand Prix Freestyle. This marked Werth’s 15th time winning this class. Photo by Amber Heintzberger

Following the elaborate prize-giving, we once again headed to the main stadium. The highlight of the final day is the Grand Prix Show Jumping competition, part of the Rolex Grand Slam that also includes Spruce Meadows, Geneva and ‘S-Hertogenbosch.  

The Grand Prix was not only one of the Majors of the Grand Slam, but a chance for some of the best riders in the world to fine-tune their performances in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The year marked a number of momentous anniversaries for the iconic equestrian venue, as they not only celebrated 100 years of history, but also 25 years with Rolex as the main sponsor.   

Starting in reverse order based on the results from the first round, American rider McLain Ward, who was tenth to go, jumped the first double clear of the class and put pressure on the remaining riders in the second round. Out of those riders, only Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, Germany’s André Thieme – the individual 2021 FEI Jumping European Champion – and World No. 10 Richard Vogel progressed to the jump-off. 

Ward, the two-time Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winner, jumped around the shortened course clear in a time of 41.02 seconds. Fuchs was almost two seconds faster, but it was not meant to be as the penultimate fence fell. The crowds exploded with cheers as Thieme then took the lead in a time of 39.77 seconds, with just one left to go. It looked as if the final competitor, Vogel, would claim his second Major as he crossed the line over one second faster than his fellow citizen, but heartbreakingly the final fence fell, handing the victory to Thieme. 

André Thieme celebrates the win. Photo by Amber Heintzberger

The nail-biting competition was followed by the Farewell of Nations, when competitors representing their various countries and disciplines all come together in the main stadium for a gigantic farewell party. Every year the CHIO chooses a partner country and bases the theme of their festivities around that country’s culture. The 2024 partner country happened to be the USA, and the theme featured heavily in the opening ceremonies, which we watched on TV before our arrival at the show.  

The closing ceremonies feature all of the nations that participated in the competition, with participants from every sport taking part. Show jumpers, dressage horses, eventers, and even the four-in-hand driving competitors’ parade around the arena with their riders and drivers, with a flag bearer leading the way and competitors waving white handkerchiefs, a tradition that includes spectators, who wave back from the grandstands to the sounds of the German folk song “Muss I denn zum Städtele hinaus.” Another CHIO concluded, and Emily and I wandered around the quiet grounds one last time, stopping for a celebratory toast before heading home. Because shops in Germany are closed on Sundays, I asked one of the vendors if I could purchase a small potted flower to give to our hosts, and he kindly gave it to me with a smile.  

The crowd celebrates the Farewell of Nations. Photo by Amber Heintzberger

Because it was a late evening, we stayed over one more night and enjoyed one final wonderful breakfast from the local bakery, and had a short walk around the neighborhood. On the way back to the Warendorf area we stopped in Cologne to stretch our legs and took a short tour of the cathedral there. It was an exciting week and we were left happy to have enjoyed so much top equestrian sport and German culture. 

A Visitors’ Guide to the CHIO Achen

The CHIO Aachen is a huge destination event, and accommodations book quickly. An American friend who lives in Germany is planning to attend in the summer of 2026 and accommodations were already booked up months in advance. She was able to find an Airbnb in the Belgian countryside, driving distance from the Soers — the showgrounds where the CHIO is held.  

Purchase your tickets in advance. The really popular events sell out — yes, even dressage — and if there’s an event you really want to see, you’ll need to reserve tickets sooner than later.  

Wear comfortable clothing. People do tend to dress nicely for a day out at the CHIO, but you want to make sure that you are comfortable to walk long distances. Dressing in layers is also recommended — even summertime can be rainy and chilly, and while it’s fun to shop for new clothes in the extensive trade fair, it’s less fun to sit in the stands freezing and then spend a lot of money on a sweatshirt because it’s the first thing you can grab during a 15-minute break. Ask me how I know!  

Bring your appetite. The food offerings at the CHIO are extensive, and you can find everything from sushi and Thai stir fry to traditional German fare like currywurst, pretzels, pommes frites (French fries), and sandwiches. Alcohol flows freely in the evenings — be sure to return your glass to get a refund of the small deposit — and there are also plenty of non-alcoholic options. The riders tend to congregate at the Riders’ Bar on the ground floor of the grandstand near the gate to the main stadium. You’re also sure to spot a few familiar, famous equestrians strolling around the grounds.  

Horses have the right-of-way. While there is traffic control, be alert that pedestrians need to stop and wait for horses crossing at junctions of the horse paths and pedestrian walkways.  

Bring your spending money. The trade fair is not to be taken for granted: from apparel and tack to housewares and gift items, to luxury horse boxes and vehicles, the trade fair boasts something for everyone, on every budget. And be sure to grab a few souvenirs from the gift shop — you’ll really impress your friends at the barn when you show up wearing a shirt or baseball cap from Aachen. 

Pace yourself. With so much to see and do, you might be tempted to try to do it all. Better to pick a few special events and enjoy those, and give yourself time for the trade fair, food vendors, and just to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere. There are also a number of entertaining performances in the main stadium featuring different breeds, demonstrations of various horses, and costumed horses and riders performing purely for entertainment. 

This article about a visit to the CHIO Aachen is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Photo by Wirestock/Adobe Stock

Do you have your Derby horse yet? If not, join us as we take a look at each horse in the 2026 Kentucky Derby field so that you can confidently make your pick. Listed below is an overview of each horse entered to run in this year’s Run for the Roses (in post position order), along with quick information regarding their connections, morning line odds, and race record.

The 2025 Kentucky Derby Field

1. Renegade (4-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Owner: Robert Low, Lawana Low, and Repole Stable
Race Record: 5 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $1,031,500

Although Renegade is the morning-line favorite, the rail is just about the last post position anyone could want for a field as big as the Kentucky Derby. Runaway winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1) last out, Renegade seems to have blossomed into an immensely talented 3-year-old. As long as he gets a smooth break and doesn’t have too much traffic trouble with his rail post, he has the right running style for the Derby and certainly has the talent to best this field. But he will have a lot to overcome with this post position.

2. Albus (30-1)
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Owner: Pin Oak Stud LLC
Race Record: 4 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $436,288

The Derby may appear to be a big leap for Albus, but that’s nothing new for him, as he won the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) just after breaking his maiden in impressive fashion. He also is versatile about his running style, which is a huge advantage in a race like the Derby where things may play out entirely different than your average race. This will obviously require Albus’s best effort yet, but he may be worth a look as your long shot.

3. Intrepido (50-1)
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Jockey: Hector Isaac Berrios
Owner: Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $342,800

Intrepido hasn’t won a race since the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) as a 2-year-old last October; in fact the only time he’s finished in the money was two starts back with a second-place finish in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3). It would be quite the surprise if this colt managed a big run in the Derby.

4. Litmus Test (30-1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Owner: SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, et. al.
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $477,688

Another horse that hasn’t won since he was a 2-year-old, Litmus Test was a distant seventh last out in the Arkansas Derby (G1) against several of these rivals. This is another horse that would be quite the upset.

5. Right to Party: SCRATCHED

6. Commandment (6-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Race Record: 5 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,017,339

Commandment has some of the lowest morning-line odds in the field for good reason. The son of Into Mischief has won four straight races, including the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1). He also already has a win over the Churchill Downs surface, and has a flexible running style that should benefit him in the Derby. Commandment may be the most dangerous horse in the race.

7. Danon Bourbon (20-1)
Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe
Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura
Owner: Danox Co. Ltd.
Race Record: 3 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $222,762

One of two Japanese horses in the Derby, Danon Bourbon is undefeated in three starts — which he’s won by a combined 18 1/2 lengths. It’s always a significant ask for an international horse to overcome the hurdles of traveling this far and running on a new surface — and in a new direction, for that matter. However, Japan came very close to winning this race with Forever Young in 2024, a horse that has continued to prove his prowess on United States soil. It’s quite the unknown if Danon Bourbon is anywhere near Forever Young’s level, but he’s clearly talented and deserves the chance to prove himself.

8. So Happy (15-1)
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Jockey: Mike Smith
Owner: Norman Stables LLC and Saints or Sinners
Race Record: 4 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $480,000

Winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), So Happy seems like the strongest threat from California. He turned in a career-best speed figure in that effort, and if he runs to that level, that puts him with the best of them here. He has some questions to answer, but So Happy is certainly worth a look.

9. The Puma: SCRATCHED

10. Wonder Dean (30-1)
Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Owner: Yoshinari Yamamoto
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $770,541

The other Japanese horse in the race, Wonder Dean enters here off a strong win in the UAE Derby (G2). He’s not been quite as dominant as Danon Bourbon, but he has traveled internationally (and raced counter-clockwise) and won. One thing is for sure about Wonder Dean: the 1 1/4-mile distance won’t be an issue.

11. Incredibolt (20-1)
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Jaime Torres
Owner: Pin Oak Stud LLC
Race Record: 5 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $498,681

A 4-length winner of the Virginia Derby in his most recent start, Incredibolt won two races at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old, including the Street Sense Stakes (G3). However, his speed figures are quite a bit lower than most other horses here, so it would require Incredibolt’s strongest effort yet so surpass this field.

12. Chief Wallabee (8-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Owner: Mike Ball and Katherine Ball
Race Record: 3 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $216,600

Chief Wallabee has caught the attention of many with his morning training, appearing to be rounding into top form. Though he has only won at the maiden level, he’s never been more than a half-length behind the winner — an impressive feat considering his only two other races are the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1). However, he finished behind Commandment in both, so it would be impressive for him to get around that colt.

13. Silent Tactic: SCRATCHED

14. Potente (20-1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Owner: Speedway Stables LLC
Race Record: 3 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $262,000

Though Potente won the San Felipe Stakes (G2) two back, he was swallowed up in the stretch of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) by So Happy. He may be bred for the distance, but does he want it?

15. Emerging Market (15-1)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Klaravich Stables, Inc.
Race Record: 2 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $618,880

Although he’s only raced twice, Emerging Market has won both of those starts, including the Louisiana Derby (G2). Without a doubt, he has the pedigree to get the Derby distance, is training remarkably well, and he has talent. That said, the Kentucky Derby against 19 of the other best 3-year-olds in the country is a big ask for a horse in just his third start.

16. Pavlovian (30-1)
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Edwin Maldonado
Owner: Reddam Racing LLC
Race Record: 10 starts: 2 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $613,450

Pavlovian may be by far the most experienced horse in the field with 10 starts, but he has won only once and has primarily raced against state-bred company. He has no graded stakes wins to his credit  — though he was just a head behind when second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) behind Emerging Market. Pavlovian appears to be outclassed on paper.

17. Six Speed (50-1)
Trainer: Bhupat Seemar
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Owner: Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Steve Adkisson, Swinbank Stables
Race Record: 5 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $402,183

Dubai-based Six Speed was soundly defeated by Wonder Dean in the UAE Derby (G2), though he himself had been a strong group stakes winner prior to then. That loss also came after a bit of time off, but Six Speed would be a huge upset here.

18. Further Ado (6-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: John Velazquez
Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC
Race Record: 6 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $1,146,328

An impressive 11-length winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) last out, Further Ado is no stranger to a romp. He broke his maiden at Keeneland by an incredible 20 lengths as a 2-year-old, just before winning the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. Like his stablemate Commandment, Further Ado is one of the most formidable horses in the Derby.

19. Golden Tempo (30-1)
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
Race Record: 4 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $333,000

Golden Tempo enters here off two losses — most recently third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) behind Emerging Market and Pavlovian — but he was previously the winner of the Lecomte Stakes (G3). His speed figures are quite lower than most rivals here, and he looks likely to go off at pretty high odds.

20. Fulleffort: SCRATCHED

21. Great White (50-1)
Trainer: John Ennis
Jockey: Alex Achard
Owner: Three Chimneys Farm and John Ennis
Race Record: 4 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $202,495

Despite enough scratches to draw in, Great White will likely go off as one of the longest shots in the field. He was a distant fifth behind Further Ado in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), and has otherwise not faced the strongest competition.

22. Ocelli (50-1)
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Joe Ramos
Owner: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Front Page Equestrian, LLC
Race Record: 6 starts: 0 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds
Career Earnings: $109,800

Because of two scratches, Ocelli has also made it into the field, but he’s likely to see extremely high odds. The colt has never won a race in six starts, and has lost to several of the Derby runners.

23. Robusta (50-1)
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Cristian Torres
Owner: Calumet Farm
Race Record: 5 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $83,500

Robusta was a soundly defeated seventh in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He’s drawn in with the third scratch, but it’s unlikely for him to make much of a dent.

Let us know in the comments here, or on Facebook (Horse Illustrated) or Instagram (@horseillustrated) who your 2026 Kentucky Derby pick is! Click here to subscribe to Horse Illustrated.

The post 2026 Kentucky Derby: Make Your Pick appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Another day of brilliant sun made for a lovely picture as the 23 riders remaining in the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* division attempted to keep the poles up. The time was very doable, with eight pairs jumping double clear.  

It came down to a nail-biter indeed, with 2024’s CCI4*-winning pair, Will Coleman (USA) and 14-year-old Hosteiner gelding Diabolo adding just 0.8 time faults during their show jumping round to guarantee no worse than second on a 28.1.  

Overnight leader Monica Spencer (NZL) and the 15-year-old New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred gelding Artist were sitting on a 22.3, with one rail and some time in hand. But it was not to be their day; in the end, three very expensive rails down knocked them to seventh place, ensuring the first Kentucky 5* win for an American since Tamie Smith in 2023. (The winner receives $130,000, while seventh place receives $10,000.) 

“This is the event that every American eventing rider wants to win,” said Coleman. “It’s my favorite place to ride in the whole world. I’ve dreamed about it, but now that it’s here, it feels surreal. I’m blessed to ride this horse and have the people who made this possible for someone like me—my family, the owners, coaches. So many people have been a part of this horse’s journey.” 

Will Coleman and Diabolo clear the final jump of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

Coleman became just the second rider to have won both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4* and Defender Kentucky CCI5* — the first having been Tamie Smith earlier in the day when she won the CCI4*. But having won the CCI4* with Diabolo previously, he became the first rider to win both divisions on the same horse.

“It is a surreal feeling, something I think we all dream about,” Coleman said. It’s one of the hardest things to do — certainly one of the hardest in equestrian sport. I sort of feel like we all deserve the win … Today I feel extremely lucky.”

Will Coleman and Diabolo on their victory lap. Photo by Mary Cage

Moving up from third to second was another American rider, Caroline Pamukcu, on 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding HSH Blake. They went double-clear to finish on a score of 28.6. The pair previously competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 36th individually.  

“Blake today really helped me a lot — all the kudos goes to him,” Pamukcu said. “He’s such a special horse and really made up everywhere that I lacked.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake had a double-clear round. Photo by Mary Cage

British rider David Doel moved from fourth to third, also with a double-clear round, riding 15-year-old KWPN gelding Galileo Nieuwmoed (sounds like “new mood”). This horse was primed for such a performance, having finished on the podium twice in his 12 previous CCI5* events on both sides of the Atlantic.  

“It’s been absolutely magic,” Doel reflected. “I’m very lucky; I’ve got a very cool horse. As a team we came together, learned from past mistakes. He gave me a super ride all three days.”

David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed moved up into third after a double-clear round in the show jumping phase. Photo by Mary Cage

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S 

In the final phase of the CCI4*, overnight leader Tamie Smith (USA) entered the arena aboard Lillet 3 with a rail and some time cushion in hand, but as it turned out, she didn’t need it. Smith was the only rider to make the show jumping optimum time out of 31 horses in the division, keeping a cool head under pressure—not surprising, given her history in the CCI5*. 

Speaking on the optimum time in the final phase, Smith said, “It didn’t seem achievable, but [Lillet] is so cool. She’s so fast.” 

Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 on their way to the CCI4* win. Photo by Mary Cage

This also moves Smith into the lead of the recently launched US Equestrian Open standings, which offers $1 million in prize money across a series of annual events.  

“It’s new to our country; I went into it thinking I might have a shot,” she said. “You just hope that it goes your way.” 

It’s now just a matter of waiting 361 days until the start of 2027’s “Best Weekend All Year.” We’ll see you there! 

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Final Results

1. William Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (28.1)
2. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (28.6)
3. David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8)
4. Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali (33.0)
5. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (33.1)
6. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (34.2)
7. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (36.7)
8. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (37.7)
9. Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett (40.9)
10. Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory (41.1)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Final Results

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (31.3)
2. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (37.4)
3. Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (38.3)
4. Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (41.3)
5. Will Coleman (USA) and Fahrenheit Addict (43.3)
6. Isabelle Bosley (USA) and Conner (44.8)
7. Isabelle Cook (GBR) and Cymoon “F” Z (48.1)
8. Sydney Elliott (USA) and QC Diamantaire (48.7)
9. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (49.2)
10. Lauren Nicholson (USA) and Landmark’s Jungle’s Gold (50.0)

Find all of our coverage on our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Results and Recap: Will Coleman & Diabolo Win for USA appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Under idyllic sunny skies with firm ground after a cloudy morning, the 11:05 optimum time turned out to be a challenge to make over Derek di Grazia’s CCI5*-L cross-country course. On the best day of “The Best Weekend All Year,” four horses out of 29 starters made the time with double-clear rounds. 

One of those was Monica Spencer (NZL) aboard the 15-year-old New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred, Artist (aka “Max”). This horse pulls off a rare feat indeed for a Thoroughbred, combining spectacular movement and suspension that put him on top after the dressage phase with an enormous, ground-gobbling racehorse stride on the cross-country course.  

“He felt good; he has such a great gallop that allows me to take my time at the jumps,” said Spencer. When asked about her horse’s chances at winning after all is said and done in the show jumping phase tomorrow, she added, “I’m just happy to be where I am on day two—but the podium’s the dream, so we’ll try to stay there!” 

Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist went double-clear over the cross-country course to head to show jumping on their dressage score. Photo by Mary Cage

In second place going into the final phase is Will Coleman (USA) on the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding Diabolo, who had one of the other rare double-clear rounds of the day, moving them up from fifth after dressage. Diabolo is famously known as Coleman’s wife Katie’s favorite horse in the barn, where she pampers him with a pint of blueberries in his feed every day.  

“I thought [Diabolo] was just sensational. I thought he was magical today. It was his first go at this level and I was just overjoyed with him.” Coleman said. Reflecting on how the course rode, he added, “I thought it was a very challenging track when I walked it. I thought the time would be hard enough to get. Everything to me rode as I envisioned it. I thought the horses were having a hard time reading the coffin. It was very hard to get the horses to settle on the line.”

Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo were one of the few horse-and-rider pairs to go double-clear. Photo by Mary Cage

In third after a nail-biting wait to see if a devastating penalty for hitting a flag would be taken off following the final ride of the day was Caroline Pamukcu (USA) on HSH Blake. Looking full of run, the horse notched just two time penalties. Thanks to having her flag penalty challenge vindicated, Pamukcu moved up one slot from fourth after dressage. She is such a fan of this eye-catching 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding that she named her firstborn daughter Blake after the horse! 

“Blake is, like, my best friend so it’s just great to go out again around another five star,” Pamukcu said. “He was amazing. He was perfect even when I wasn’t.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake moved into third after a strong run on cross-country. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed showed an impressive leap from 12th to fourth place after spotting the very first double-clear round of the day.  

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S 

In the CCI4*, 42 pairs set out on course, with a much shorter 6-minute optimum time. It must have been a big ask, however, as none of the pairs made the time, even with the perfect weather and firm footing. 

Notching the fewest time faults with just 1.6, Tamra Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 moved up from 3rd into the lead. Smith retired her mount Danito, who was in first after dressage, after some unfortunate difficulty at fence 10C. 

“[Lillet 3] went out and it was like being on a little race car. I had a great time,” Smith said. When asked about how the mare handled the course, Smith continued to praise her. “She was super and answered all the questions great. She has such an elegance about her.”

Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 came away with the lead after cross-country. Photo by Jen Emig/MacMillan Photography

Moving up from seventh to second after cross-country were Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified after they added a relatively small 4.4 time penalties to their score.  

Rounding out the Saturday podium, Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus leapt from 11th to third under the difficult optimum time, adding just 5.6 penalties. 

Join us tomorrow to see who can keep the poles in the cups to take home the big checks! 

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Cross-Country

1. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (22.3)
2. Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (27.3)
3. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (28.6)
4. David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8)
5. Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali (31.8)
6. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (33.1)
7. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (34.2)
8. Harry Meade (GBR) and Superstition (36.2)
9. Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory (37.1)
10. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (37.7)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Standings After Cross-Country

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (31.3)
2. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (35.8)
3. Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (37.9)
4. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (38.4)
5. Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (40.1)
6. Katie Lichten (USA) and Hickstead Musterd (40.4)
7. Will Coleman (USA) and Fahrenheit Addict (41.7)
8. Isabelle Cook (GBR) and Cymoon “F” Z (42.5)
9. Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Fluorescent Adolescent (43.5)
10. Isabelle Bosley (USA) and Conner (44.0)

For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

Find all of our coverage on our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Cross-Country Day appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies continued on day two of dressage at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Though the weather remained largely the same, the tests in the ring caused some big shake-ups on the leaderboard. Most notably, Monica Spencer (NZL) aboard the New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred Artist marked a 22.3, breaking into the top ten dressage scores ever posted at the Kentucky Three-Day Event — just one year after Michael Jung set a new record of 18.6.

“‘Max’ was super today — had good energy on the test,” Spencer said. “I’m really pleased with him.”

Now 15, Monica has had “Max” since he was four. She spoke to the stereotype surrounding Thoroughbreds in eventing, and why Max is the right mount for her.

“In cross-country, it’s always nice to be on a fast horse. In the dressage, I’m lucky with Max that he’s a beautiful mover and he’s always been very trainable,” Spencer said. “I enjoy riding him in the dressage and I have had a few good Thoroughbreds over the years that have been good at dressage … I am particularly lucky with the way Max moves; he’s quite an expressive horse for a Thoroughbred. He likes to throw his front hooves around and he did that today.”

Monica Spencer and Artist gained the lead with a beautiful 22.3. Photo by Mary Cage

Just barely behind Spencer with a 22.6, World #4 eventing rider Tim Price — previously third overall with Global Quest on the first day of dressage — dazzled the judges with 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding Vitali. Price now enters cross-country day with two horses in the top ten.

“I was really happy with him,” Price said. “He’s such a great craftsman and he’s got such a great body and mind for the job.”

Tim Price and Vitali sit narrowly behind Monica Spencer, scoring a 22.6. Photo by Mary Cage

Top-five finisher in the last three editions of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, including two runner-up finishes, Tom McEwen broke into the top three after dressage with a 25.1 aboard the 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Brookfield Quality. McEwen and Brookfield Quality finished fifth in this event last year, and look poised for another top finish.

“I’m delighted with ‘Norris’ as usual,” McEwen said. “He does everything he can and formed another pretty much foot-perfect, sort of “clear round” like we call it. So delighted — thought we put everything out there and he couldn’t have given me more so I’m thrilled.”

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality look to continue McEwen’s streak of top finishes at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

The final horse-and-rider pair to go, Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake continued the trend of changing the leaderboard. With a 26.6, Pamukcu secured a place in fourth going into cross-country, pushing previous leader Will Coleman (USA, with Diabolo) into fifth.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake prove their partnership with a 26.6. Photo by Mary Cage

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

While Tamie Smith held onto her early lead in the 4* with Thursday’s 27.0 aboard Danito, this division saw several changes to its leaderboard as well. Fan-favorite duo Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 moved into second with a beautiful 28.1, and Smith added another horse into a top spot when she scored a 29.7 with Lillet 3. This score tied her for third with young rider Elizabeth Barratt (GBR) riding Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau, also a 29.7.

“I’m really thrilled with Claus today,” White said. “He was very relaxed and very mature and well within himself. We’ve been working on that our whole partnership, so I feel like at 14-years-young now, he’s finally coming into his own. I’m super excited about the rest of the weekend. The [cross-country] track looks amazing. As always here, there’s a lot to do, but it looks like something to go get, so excited for that.”

Sharon White celebrates a great test aboard Claus 63. Photo by Mary Cage

Stay tuned tomorrow for cross-country day in both divisions.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage

1. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (22.3)
2. Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali (22.6)
3. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (25.1)
4. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (26.6)
5. Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (27.3)
6. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (28.1)
7. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (28.2)
8. Harry Meade (GBR) and Grafennacht (28.9)
9. Tim Price (NZL) and Global Quest (29.8)
10. Harry Meade (GBR) and Superstition (30.2)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Standings After Dressage

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Danito (27.0)
2. Sharon  White (USA) and Claus 63 (28.1)
=3. Elizabeth Barratt (GBR) and Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau (29.7)
=3. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (29.7)
5. Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Rockett 19 (30.1)
6. Molly Duda (USA) and Carlingfords Hes a Clover (31.1)
=7. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (32.0)
=7. Tommy Greengard (USA) and That’s Me Z (31.4)
9. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (32.0)
10. Ema Klugman (AUS) and RF Redfern (32.1)

For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

Find all of our coverage on our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day Two appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

It’s looking like it will be four days of warm, possibly even hot, sun this year at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian. Always a nice change from driving rain and a brief return to winter!

With half of the CCI5*-L dressage tests in the books Thursday, the current leader is William Coleman (USA) with Diabolo, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding. The pair presented a smooth and lovely test that stuck on top of today’s leaderboard with a penalty score of 27.3 (72.69%).

“The first time you do a five-star at a place like this, in this kind of atmosphere, you’re never totally sure how your horse is going to cope,” said Coleman. “He got a little excited when he got up here to the ring. Even in my final warm-ups, I didn’t feel like I totally had him, but to his credit, he went in there and really stayed with me and did his job as best he could. I can’t be anything but proud of him — I just really, really adore this horse.”

Will Coleman and Diabolo, early leaders of the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L after the first day of dressage. Photo by Mary Cage

In second for the day is Phillip Dutton (USA) on Possante, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, with a 28.1. Dutton is a former winner of this event and a seven-time Olympic veteran with a penchant for accurate and high-scoring dressage tests, so it’s never a surprise to see him at the top of the pack here in Kentucky.

“Dressage comes reasonably easy for the horse, so it’s more a case of keeping it in,” said Dutton after his ride.

Phillip Dutton and Possante scored a 28.1 Photo by Mary Cage

Third overall today on a 29.8 is Tim Price of New Zealand on Global Quest, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse. Price is the World #4 ranked eventing rider and finished in second at this event in 2021 and third in 2019.

Tim Price and Global Quest were an early top score with a 29.8. Photo by Mary Cage

Today’s fourth place rider is World #1, Harry Meade of Great Britain, and 17-year-old BHHS gelding Superstition with a 30.2. This seasoned rider has overcome some intense injuries to shine at the top of the sport, which is always great to see.

Rounding out today’s top five on a score of 30.7 is crowd favorite and World #2 Boyd Martin (USA) with Cooley Nutcracker, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

In the CCI4*-S division, pairs looking for a shorter cross-country course on Saturday to perhaps prepare their horses for an eventual step up to a CCI5*-L, 22 pairs competed in the dressage ring on Thursday morning. Tamie Smith (USA), the 2023 CCI5* winner, topped the leaderboard on Danito, a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding, with a 27.0 in this division after the first day of dressage.

Tamie Smith and Danito, leaders in the CCI4*-S after the first day of dressage. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Stay tuned tomorrow for the second half of the dressage rides in both divisions.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage Day One

1. Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (27.3)
2. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (28.1)
3. Tim Price (NZL) and Global Quest (29.8)
4. Harry Meade (GBR) and Superstition (30.2)
5. Boyd Martin (USA) and Cooley Nutcracker (30.7)
6. David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8)
7. Karen O’Neal (USA) and Clooney 14 (33.1)
8. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Tolan King (33.5)
9. Mary Bess Davis (USA) and Imperio Magic (33.9)
10. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and She’s the One (35.1)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Standings After Dressage Day One

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Danito (27.0)
2. Tommy Greengard (USA) and That’s Me Z (31.4)
3. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (32.0)
4. Tamie Smith (USA) and Kynan (33.0)
5. Lauren Nicholson (USA) and Landmark’s Jungle Gold (33.2)
6. Will Coleman (USA) and Fahrenheit Addict (33.3)
7. Katie Lichten (USA) and Hickstead Musterd (33.6)
8. Elisa Wallace (USA) and Lissavorra Quality (34.5)
9. Laine Ashker (USA) and Lovedance (34.8)
10. James Alliston (USA) and HMR Rolan (35.1)

Find all of our coverage on our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Lexington, Ky. — The first horse inspection was blessedly drama free as all 29 horses presented to the ground jury at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) will be moving on to the first phase of competition, the dressage. Under blue skies and the occasional gust of wind, the competitors in the CCI5*-L competition put their best and most fashionable foot forward as they demonstrated their horses’ fitness to begin the competition.

No horses were held for re-inspection, all passed at first presentation.

Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Mary Cage

The Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.

K3DE features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts over 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of entertainment activities. Additionally, K3DE features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifying event, and the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

Dressage kicks off Thursday morning with the CCI4*-S in the morning, followed by the CCI5*-L in the afternoon. Four of the top six riders in the world are competing for the top prize this weekend, including World #1 Harry Meade of Great Britain, who will be competing on Superstition and Grafennacht, World #2 Boyd Martin from the USA who also brings forward two mounts, Cooley Nutcracker and Commando 3, World #4 Tim Price from New Zealand, also with two horses, Global Quest and Vitali, and World #6, Tom McEwen of Great Britain with Brookfield Quality.

— Edited Press Release | Source: Kentucky Three-Day Event

Find all of our coverage on our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: All Horses Pass First Horse Inspection appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Stay up to date on the action from the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Find information about the event, including a recap from each day of the competition below, and follow links to the full stories.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Results and Recap: Will Coleman & Diabolo Win for USA

Photo by Mary Cage

Another day of brilliant sun made for a lovely picture as the 23 riders remaining in the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* division attempted to keep the poles up. The time was very doable, with eight pairs jumping double clear.

It came down to a nail-biter indeed, with 2024’s CCI4*-winning pair, Will Coleman (USA) and 14-year-old Hosteiner gelding Diabolo adding just 0.8 time faults during their show jumping round to guarantee no worse than second on a 28.1.

Coleman became just the second rider to have won both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4* and Defender Kentucky CCI5* — the first having been Tamie Smith earlier in the day when she won the CCI4*. But having won the CCI4* with Diabolo previously, he became the first rider to win both divisions on the same horse.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Cross-Country Day

Photo by Mary Cage

Under idyllic sunny skies with firm ground after a cloudy morning, the 11:05 optimum time turned out to be a challenge to make over Derek di Grazia’s CCI5*-L cross-country course. On the best day of “The Best Weekend All Year,” four horses out of 29 starters made the time with double-clear rounds.

One of those was Monica Spencer (NZL) aboard the 15-year-old New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred, Artist (aka “Max”). This horse pulls off a rare feat indeed for a Thoroughbred, combining spectacular movement and suspension that put him on top after the dressage phase with an enormous, ground-gobbling racehorse stride on the cross-country course.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day Two

Photo by Mary Cage

The warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies continued on day two of dressage at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Though the weather remained largely the same, the tests in the ring caused some big shake-ups on the leaderboard. Most notably, Monica Spencer (NZL) aboard the New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred Artist marked a 22.3, breaking into the top ten dressage scores ever posted at the Kentucky Three-Day Event — just one year after Michael Jung set a new record of 18.6.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One

Photo by Mary Cage

With half of the CCI5*-L dressage tests in the books Thursday, the current leader is William Coleman (USA) with Diabolo, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding. The pair presented a smooth and lovely test that stuck on top of today’s leaderboard with a penalty score of 27.3 (72.69%). In second for the day is Phillip Dutton (USA) on Possante, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, with a 28.1. Third overall today on a 29.8 is Tim Price of New Zealand on Global Quest, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse. Price is the World #4 ranked eventing rider and finished in second at this event in 2021 and third in 2019.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: All Horses Pass First Horse Inspection

Photo by Mary Cage

The first horse inspection was blessedly drama free as all 29 horses presented to the ground jury at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) will be moving on to the first phase of competition, the dressage. Under blue skies and the occasional gust of wind, the competitors in the CCI5*-L competition put their best and most fashionable foot forward as they demonstrated their horses’ fitness to begin the competition. No horses were held for re-inspection, all passed at first presentation.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: World #1 Harry Meade and #2 Boyd Martin Head Impressive List of 5* Entries

Photo by Mary Cage

World #1 Harry Meade (GBR) and #2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (K3DE). Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Martin, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 37 total athletes from five nations vying for top honors at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26.

Read more >>

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Finals were contested in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District with horses stabled in barns on the Will Rogers Memorial Center equestrian campus. The warm-up ring, competition arena, shopping and entertainment were all located in the adjacent, state-of-the-art Dickies Arena.

Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, home of the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals. Photo by Nancy Bryant/MacMillan Photography

Staged with a decidedly Texas flair, the World Cup featured live country music performances, a festive light show, and cowboys executing rope tricks and directing at-liberty horses, to open each competition session. Country barbeque, Tex-Mex cuisine and desserts featuring Texas pecans were served during Wednesday night’s draw order party. Sleek Euro-style meshed with Fort Worth’s “Cowtown” culture when all of the riders were gifted cowboy hats by Sole Rider and boots by Tony Lama.

The USA previously hosted the FEI World Cup Jumping Final 11 times (Baltimore, 1980; Tampa, 1989; Del Mar, Calif., 1992; Las Vegas, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015, and Omaha, 2017 and 2023), and the FEI Dressage Final seven times (Los Angeles, 1995; Las Vegas, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015, and Omaha, 2017 and 2023).

Farrington Flies to Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final Win

In jumping, 35 starters from 18 countries tried their hand at course designer Anderson Lima’s (MEX) track in Thursday’s speed class (Table C over a Table A, where 3 seconds were added to the time for each rail down). Then, on Friday all competitors who completed Thursday’s class were eligible to move forward to the next class (Table A against the clock with one jump-off) when they jumped in reverse order of standings from the day before.  

Kent Farrington aboard Toulayna during Thursday’s speed class, the first of the jumping classes. Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

On Sunday there were two jumping rounds (A and B). In round A, the best 30 horse-and-rider pairs based on results from the previous two days competed. Then, the number was pared down to the top 20 competitors for round B (Table A not against the clock). The winner was the competitor with the fewest number of cumulative penalties. Countries with competitors were: Australia; Belgium; Brazil; Hungary; Germany; Georgia; France; Ireland; Japan; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Spain; Switzerland; the Netherlands; Turkey; the USA, and Uzbekistan.  

Total prize money offered over the series of four jumping classes was 1,300,000.00 Euros. Find the FEI World Cup Final jumper rules here.

In the end, it was “Air Farrington” all the way through. Currently number two in the FEI World Jumper Rankings, Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla., USA) first piloted his and Rabbit Root Stables’ quick and handy 12-year-old Zangersheide mare Toulayna (Toulon-Parco) to top the speed class on Thursday, April 9. Then, since a one-time horse substitution is allowed, he gathered Greya’s reins to guide the classy, careful mare to win the second and third World Cup jumper classes on Friday, April 10, and Sunday, April 12. Greya (Colestus-Contender) is a 12-year-old Oldenburger Springpferde mare owned by Farrington.  

Both mares performed brilliantly with Farrington laser-focused on the plan with his horses. Greya dropped just one rail in Round A on Sunday to finish with only four faults total over her two days of jumping. After the final two rounds on Sunday, Farrington lifted the Longines trophy above his head to celebrate his first-ever World Cup Final win which added a missing piece to his already-impressive résumé.  

A very supportive home crowd cheered and hundreds of U.S. flags waved in the stands as Farrington and the other U.S. riders competed. His win helped the USA stay atop the list of countries with the most World Cup Jumping Final wins. The USA’s total is now a dozen wins over the history of the World Cup Jumping Final, keeping them two ahead of Germany which has 10 wins and six ahead of Switzerland which has a total of six.  

Farrington, who credited both Toulayna and Greya, talked about the achievement, “It’s important to note I rode two horses here and I couldn’t have done it without Toulayna on day one. I have two exceptional mares that put me in the position that I needed to win the title. This means a lot to me because the World Cup Final is what I grew up watching. I didn’t have access to major events and competitions where I grew up, but I had access to video tapes of every single year of the World Cup Final. I would study all the rounds and all the rides hoping I could ride like that, so to be here winning it today is really special for me.”  

Second was Daniel Deusser from Germany riding the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z-Caretino) owned by Stephex Stables. Deusser, who won the 2014 World Cup Final, talked about success in Fort Worth, “My expectations were high. That’s why I’m coming here. I had a very good start on day one, [but] one rail down that pushed me back a little on day two. Today, I have to say that [Otello de Guldenboom] really tried his heart out. He really tried his very best and I’m proud of him.” 

Daniel Deusser and Otello de Guldenboom. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

The USA’s Katie Dinan (Wellington, Fla.) rode the American-bred mare Out of the Blue SCF, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Verdi TN-Cassini I) owned by Grant Road Partners and bred by Spy Coast Farm, Lexington, Ky., to third. Last year they were the highest-placed American pair finishing eighth in the World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland. 

Katie Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF. Photo by Mary Cage

“I’m in awe of my horse Out of the Blue. She was spectacular every day. I owe everything to her,” Dinan said. “Out of the Blue is the only U.S.‑bred jumper in the show jumping here, and I think that’s really exciting. She was bred at Spy Coast and they have done an amazing job increasing U.S. breeding. This is a mare that did her whole young horse career in the U.S. It’s exciting to represent my country like that, especially at a World Cup on home soil.” 

The USA had three more combinations in the top 12. Aaron Vale (Williston, Fla.) and Carissimo 25 were seventh overall, Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) and Kick On finished 10th overall, and Jacob Pope (Columbia, Md.) and Highway FBH were 12th overall in their first World Cup Final. Also competing for the USA were: Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Tres Bien Z, 18th; Mimi Gochman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Inclen BH, 21st; Skylar Wireman (Bonsall, Ca.) and Barclino B, 25th, and Kaitlin Campbell (Temecula, Ca.) and Cosm Castlefield Cornelious, 26th.  

US Equestrian Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland was enthusiastic about the week in Fort Worth. “It’s always great to win the World Cup Final, but never better than on home soil! Most impressive though was that we showed a lot of depth this week with five U.S. riders finishing in the top twelve placings. Across the board, our riders all rode extremely well, and finally, kudos to the organizers for producing a world-class event and to Anderson Lima who built masterful courses all week.”   

Dynamic Dressage Dazzles

To say that the 2026 Zen Elite World Cup Dressage Final competition was electric and filled with dazzling performances really isn’t enough to do it justice. Even without a few of the usual top contenders this year, it was spectacular. And, the crowds in Fort Worth loved it. In true Texas fashion, they often clapped, whooped and hollered during tests as one might expect for a Western reining competition, but isn’t really traditional for dressage-watching etiquette. Yet, many competitors commented post-ride that they thought the enthusiasm was great for the sport and, in several cases, it helped their horses perform to an even-higher level.  

The crowd’s energy is reflected on the USA’s Christian Simon’s smiling face during his Freestyle test with Indian Rock. Photo by Mary Cage

Sixteen athletes from 13 countries competed in the 2026 World Cup Dressage Final in Fort Worth. At least seven of the human athletes, including the USA’s Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) riding Indian Rock, were competing for the first time in a World Cup Final. Countries represented there were: Australia; Austria; Belgium; Ecuador; France; Germany; Great Britain; Lithuania; Morocco; Poland; Sweden; the Netherlands, and USA.  

World Cup Dressage Final competition comprises two days, one using the FEI Grand Prix test and the other the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. All athletes who score better than 60 percent in the Grand Prix test are allowed to move on to compete in the Freestyle, and this year all 16 horse-and-rider combinations scored well enough to compete both days. Scores from the Grand Prix serve as the qualifier, with scores from the Freestyle determining the final placings. Total prize money for the World Cup Dressage Final Fort Worth was 275,000.00 Euros.  

Find the rules for the 2025-26 Dressage World Cup series here. 

Number-five dressage rider in the FEI World Rankings, Great Britain’s Becky Moody and her homebred Jagerbomb, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Dante Weltino OLD-Jazz), came to Fort Worth hoping to dazzle the judges and win. That’s just what they did; scoring 76.761 percent in the Grand Prix and a personal-best 88.33 percent in the Freestyle, dancing to a medley of Beatles songs, for their first World Cup Final win together.  

Moody and Jagerbomb were also members of the bronze-medal British Team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She commented that she was hoping for a personal-best score in their World Cup Freestyle and that mission was accomplished. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. All our horses are complete and utter diamonds, but today ‘Bomb’ was absolutely unreal,” said Moody after their win.   

Moody admitted that she wasn’t sure how Bomb would handle the exuberant crowd, but she was ecstatic with the results, “The crowd was insane; it was just incredible to be part of such a cool competition. I wasn’t sure how he would cope [with the atmosphere], but it turned out to be the perfect place for him. He could feel the enthusiasm, and even though it was so electric and so technical, he stayed with me so well. I need to rent that crowd everywhere I go now so they can come cheer,” she said with a huge smile.  

Also scoring above 80 percent in their Freestyle tests to finish second and third, respectively, in the World Cup were the USA’s Christian Simonson and Indian Rock (83.810 in Freestyle and 75.413 in Grand Prix) and Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva and Maxima Bella (80.770 in Freestyle and 71.696 in Grand Prix).  

Simonson was all smiles the entire week as he enjoyed his first World Cup Final experience with “Rocky”, a 13-year-old KWPN stallion (Apache-Vivaldi) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and who he has ridden for only the last 14 months. He said he was taking it all in and praised his coach Adrienne Lyle for her guidance. They finished in the second-place spot on both days of competition with their score in the Freestyle a personal-best and performed to music from the Rocky movie franchise.  

“I don’t have the right words to describe the emotions I’m having right now. I’m so happy to be here, and I’m so proud to represent my country. What a fun night. Rocky is one in a million. To take me to the World Cup and now a double podium placing—I get teary‑eyed just thinking about him,” he said after their runner-up overall finish.  

He also said that the crowd’s enthusiasm reflected something bigger happening in U.S. dressage. “That’s what we need in the sport—fun. I’m super fortunate that Heidi [Humphries] and Zen Elite have been such a big part of building up dressage in the U.S., and you could really feel that tonight with the excitement in the arena.” 

Simonson said that competing in the World Cup was one of his aspirations. “When I was around 13, I wrote down all my biggest dreams. One of them was the Pan American Games, and one of them was the World Cup Final. This whole week has been a childhood dream come true, which feels very surreal. Looking up and seeing this wall of people standing and applauding Rocky was super special. He’s such a special horse; he deserves every bit of praise.”  

“I cannot believe it,” said Poland’s Sysojeva who was visiting the U.S. for the first time in order to compete Maxima Bella, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Millennium-Christ), in Fort Worth. “We did not expect this, but my horse behaved so well today with no big mistakes. I’m really, really happy and very proud of her. I was afraid of the atmosphere—it was so loud and everybody was clapping. Usually she gets too excited, but today she was happy, and she liked it. She’s still young and getting so much experience at shows like this. That was very special for me. If it wasn’t for the show, we would never have come to Texas. But the people are very friendly, and we’ve really enjoyed this 10‑day holiday here.” 

Sandra Sysojeva and Maxima Bella. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Touchdown, who won the 2025 World Cup Final in Switzerland, finished fourth overall (80.260 in their Freestyle and 72.869 in the Grand Prix). The ever-popular, US..-based rider from Ecuador, Julio Mendoza Loor and his Jewel’s Goldstrike, a.k.a. “Goldie,” took fourth place in the Grand Prix (72.000) and sixth overall with a score of 78.645 percent in the Freestyle. World Cup Final rookie from Germany, Raphael Netz riding SP Dieudonne, moved up to the fifth-place overall spot after a spectacular Freestyle test earned them 79.245 percent.  

U.S. riders Kevin Kohmann and Duenensee (Wellington, Fla., 68.674 in Grand Prix and 76.730 in Freestyle) and Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena (Wellington, Fla., 67.717 in Grand Prix and 74.965 in Freestyle) finished in respectable ninth and tenth places, respectively.  

US Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig commented on the week in Fort Worth. “We accomplished another goal we set for this year, which was to have our riders finish in the top ten. Ben and Kevin both have World Cup Finals experience, and they rode great tonight with good results in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Christian’s finish on the podium in second place is a fantastic result for USA Dressage and continues to build momentum towards this summer’s World Championships and beyond. I am so proud of our riders, their horses, the grooms, their personal trainers, and our owners. It was truly a great week to celebrate dressage here at home in the United States.” 

Another significant happening during the World Cup Dressage Final was the official retirement of Morgan Barbançon’s (FRA) competition horse, the 20-year-old Oldenburg stallion Sir Donnerhall II (Sandro Hit-Donnerhall). The emotional retirement ceremony took place during intermission of the Freestyle competition. They had competed together for 14 years and were members of France’s 2024 Paris Olympic Team. They finished 13th in Fort Worth, earning 68.956 in the Grand Prix and 72.46 percent in the Freestyle.  

Morgan Barbançon gratefully waves to the crowd after a final ride on Sir Donnerhall II OLD, aka Gus. Photo by Mary Cage

FEI World Cup Results & Replay on Demand

To find a complete set of results for both FEI World Cup Final sports, as well as orders of go and jumper course maps, visit here.

More news from the Fort Worth Finals can be viewed by going to the official event site and on US Equestrian’s website.

Find interesting facts and figures about the World Cup Finals, plus an explanation of how the competition works, in the FEI’s press kit here.

Replays of the competition, plus athlete interviews, are available by subscription on FEI TV via ClipMyHorse. Find the competition link here. 

2027 FEI World Cup Finals

The 2027 World Cup Finals for dressage, show jumping and vaulting will be held at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, March 24-28. This event also marks the 50th anniversary of the Gothenburg Show. For more information, visit here.

This recap of the 2026 Fort Worth FEI World Cup Finals is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Reliving the Fort Worth FEI World Cup Finals 2026 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Liz Galletta, and I’ve been a member of the Horse Illustrated team since 2024. This is my second time attending Equine Affaire and every year it seems to get better! I want to take you with as I experience the event this year. 

Our western brand, Western Life Today, is the sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper, so our booth was the highlight of the Western Life Today Alleyway. We had seven wonderful booth sponsors, including PetKORE, Stud Muffins, AnimaSol, Chewy Equine, Boomerang Rubber, Sentinel, and Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

Our booth at Equine Affaire Ohio 2026. Photo by Madison Wintrich/MW Creative & Photography

Parelli set up at one end of our booth, and we were so thrilled to have them with us this year. 2026 was the start of a new partnership with Parelli, in which Pat and his team write a training column in each Horse Illustrated issue and select Young Rider issues. Not only were the Parelli team members so amazing to hang out with, but the energy and excitement that Pat Parelli brings wherever he goes is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. He draws crowds and captivates his audience so effortlessly — it’s no wonder how he’s developed such a large fanbase. He did daily giveaways at 4 p.m. at our booth, and every single day he drew a large crowd. 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 1

Day 1 of Equine Affaire was filled with the excitement and anticipation of what was to come. We saw hundreds of people come through our booth in the Bricker Building, and we had the chance to see seminars and demos from some of our favorites, including Pat Parelli and Sam and Kellie Rettinger of Whispery Pines Percherons. I also got talked into riding a mechanical bull – check out how that went below! 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 2

Friday was the first day Cooper in Cowtown was open, so we got to watch things get western during clinics by Mike Bednarek, Zoe Woodland, and Joe Sansone. My favorite part, of course, was the adorable young cows being used in these clinics. We also got to see additional clinics in other rings by Horse Illustrated Webinar guests Dan James, Jason Irwin, and of course our friend Pat Parelli.  

Friday also brought about the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, which is the ultimate test of horsemanship and training. Riders and their horses must race through a timed obstacle course, created to test horsemanship skills and athleticism. Though, timing is not the only criteria, and points are awarded for a positive horse attitude, overall performance, and more. After a close competition, Brenda Hanson and Ace reigned victorious and took home the first-place prize. 

I also had the privilege of being able to “Drive A Draft” with Kellie Rettinger, which was an incredible experience that I am sure to never forget. Check out that experience below. 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 3

Day 3 was an incredibly busy day all around, but we made sure to watch some clinics as well as swing by some of our partner’s booths, including Equi-Analytical, KENT, Wild Animal Sanctuary, Farrier’s Magic, GG Equine, Tyler Shupe Leather, and the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption barn (spoiler alert — by Sunday evening, all but two horses had been adopted!) 

After watching more presenters (including our friends Bronwyn Irwin and Reese Koffler-Stanfield), we got to watch the hilarious Cowboy Challenge, emceed by the one and only Hayden Kristal. This on-foot challenge had competitors complete a series of farm-related tasks, including moving hay, setting up jumps, and scooping grain, to see who would be crowned the ultimate cowboy. This was insanely entertaining and, in our eyes, everyone was a winner for being brave enough to tackle those tasks in front of an audience.

Saturday was also the biggest day for Parelli’s giveaway, and we easily had over 100 people flooding our booth to get a chance to win big! 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 4

Sunday was a bittersweet ending to a wonderful weekend. My favorite part of the day was taking advantage of the sales the shopping booths were putting on – the whole Horse Illustrated crew brought home solid clothing hauls for an incredible deal.

Another touching outcome of this weekend came from Boomerang Rubber – they graciously provided the flooring for our booth (which saved our backs from hours of standing on straight concrete) and at the end of the weekend, donated the mats to two different ASPCA Right Horse partners. We could not be more thankful for Bobby and his team, and we’re glad they could make a difference in the lives of adoptable horses through their donation. 

Over the course of Equine Affaire, we got to meet thousands of amazing people, introduce dozens of new readers to Horse Illustrated, and celebrate our 50th Anniversary with readers who have been with us for years.  

If you attended Equine Affaire this year, we were so glad to get to meet you and get to know you. If you didn’t attend, I hope you consider stopping by next year so you can experience the magic of this event. 

This article about Equine Affaire Ohio 2026 is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post A Recap of Equine Affaire Ohio 2026 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.