The definite entries have been confirmed and the arena is ready for the FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2026 in Aachen (GER), where spectators will witness five days of world-class sport.
Between August 19 and 23, the world’s best will compete for the coveted title of World Champion across the five Grades in both the Individual and Team Finals on the first four days of competition, culminating in the Freestyle Individual Final on the last day of the FEI World Championships.
On Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 August, will see a total of 94 Athletes representing 31 nations head down the centreline at the iconic venue to contest the Individual title. The Team competition will take place on Friday and Saturday, with 21 nations fielding teams of three or four Athletes., all competing for the prestigious Team gold medal.
Sunday will not only see the FEI World Championships come to a close, but also the conclusion of the Para Dressage Championship with the Individual Freestyle competition for each of the five Grades being decided on the final day, destined to please the crowds with toe tapping music and a showcase of elite Athletes performing alongside their equine partners.
Champions Aplenty
The definite entry list is ablaze with Paralympic, FEI World and European Champions, most notably the USA’s triple Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medallists Fiona Howard, who will compete in Grade II with 13-year-old Diamond Dunes, and Rebecca Hart, who will contest Grade III with the evergreen 18-year-old mare, Floratina. Both Athletes will be determined to carry on their winning streak.
Joining Hart in the Grade III competition is current double FEI European champion Rixt van der Horst (NED) with her striking chestnut stallion, Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P., who are sure to have their eyes on the prize of a first FEI World Champion title together.
Hot on the heels of both of these fierce competitors will be Tobias Thorning Joergensen (DEN) with the up-and-coming Blue Hors Zackorado, a 10-year-old stallion who has shown strong form in recent international appearances.
The battle for the Grade I competition will be a hard-fought one. Para Dressage veteran, Sara Morganti (ITA) will be keen to reclaim the FEI World Championship title but with a new ride for this year, the seven-year-old Bond Girl 18.
Mari Durward-Akhurst (GBR), riding 19-year-old Athene Lindebjerg, will be looking to clinch her first World Championship gold. Marie Vonderheyden (USA) riding the talented nine-year-old gelding, Fan Tastico H will be sure to challenge Morganti and Durward-Akhurst all the way to the podium.
Six-time gold medallist and crowd favourite Rihards Snikus (LVA) is set to compete for the Individual title with a new equine partner, taking the six-year-old Rise and Shine for his first Championship experience.
Grade II will see a clash between Howard, Heidemarie Dresing (GER) and her 2025 FEI European triple gold medallist partner Poesie 143, and Katrine Kristensen (DEN) with her reigning FEI World Championship ride, Goerklintgaards Quarter looking to retain their title. Looking to also make her mark on the competition will be Jemima Green (GBR) at her first World Championship with Fantabulous, who has produced some formidable results this year.
Ones to Watch
Following the withdrawal of current Grade IV World Champion Sanne Voets (NED), the contest for the gold medal is now wide open. 2025 FEI European Champion Louise Etzner Jakobsson (SWE) will be keen to capitalise on her international form with Goldstrike B.J and claim their first World Championship title. Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Kate Shoemaker (USA) will also be looking to challenge Jakobsson, competing with Vianne at their first World Championship together.
In Grade V, Sophie Wells (GBR) returns with Championship newcomer MSJ Gold Standard, a 10-year-old horse, as she bids to win her fifth World Championship medal.
Regine Mispelkamp (GER) returns with Highlander Delight, her double-silver-medal-winning partner from Paris 2024 Paralympic, for their second attempt at a World Championship title, whilst Britney de Jong (NED) will be aiming for the podium on her Senior World Championship debut with 2025 European triple silver medal partner Caramba N.O.P.
Tight at the Top for Team Contenders
The competition for the team medals is exceptionally difficult to predict.. USA, Great Britain, Germany and Denmark will all have their sights firmly set on gold and with all nations’ team members in their current form, the two days of competition are set to be exceptionally closely contested.
(Canada is represented at these World Championships by Jody Schloss (Grade I) and El Colorado, Roberta Sheffield (Grade II) and Nardando, Laura Hall (Grade IV) and Istrano, and Eleonore Elstone (Grade V) with Szecrecy HP.)
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