Layher, Jabet and Germany are Vaulting World champions
A sold-out Aachen crowd roared Germany’s Alice Layher, France’s Quentin Jabet and the German Squad to FEI World Championships glory as the first Vaulting medals of the week were decided on Saturday, Aug. 15
It was a memorable day of firsts, with 2023 Junior World champion Layher claiming her first senior Individual World title and Jabet finally taking Individual Male gold after consecutive World Championship silver medals. Germany capped the day by securing a 15th World Squad title.
Germany showed exceptional strength in the Individual Female competition, taking home all three World medals for the first time in over two decades. Entering the final round in fifth place, Annemie Szemes gave everything in her high-difficulty Freestyle. With excellent execution, she received 8.814 for round two and a final score of 8.436. She astonished even herself by leaving Aachen with a World Championship medal.
Such excellence was difficult to match, although the North American athletes pushed their European rivals all the way. The USA’s Kimberly Palmer had to settle for a fourth-place finish (8.326), with Canada’s Averill Saunders in fifth (8.246). Both showed good rounds but could not match Szemes’ Freestyle standard on the day.
With Germany already guaranteed one medal, Kathrin Meyer entered the arena determined to finally add a World Championship medal to her collection. She vaulted with power and prowess and was rewarded with 9.116 from the judges for her Free Test. An agonising wait followed as she watched teammate Alice Layher enter to lay her claim to the title.
Layher was unstoppable and unflappable. Her dynamic style was smooth and enthralling, and she moved effortlessly on an amazing FBW Candy, lunged by Daniel Zembrot. A 10 from one of the artistic judges was the icing on a very nice cake as the scores flooded in. A score of 9.357 in the Freestyle and a final score of 9.041 gave Layher the gold, leaving Meyer in silver medal position (8.862).
Such astounding Vaulting left the men with a tough act to follow. The Individual Male competition followed a different narrative and had been filled with challenges throughout the week. The final day was no different. More than one fell from the horse mid-programme in an attempt to increase the difficulty and creativity of their routines, with Thomas Brüsewitz among those to come unstuck.
The competition then became incredibly close as Italy’s Davide Zanella climbed up the rankings after his creative performance. With 8.416, he was at the top until Germany’s Bela Lehnen entered. The two went into the final round nearly neck and neck. Lehnen received higher marks artistically for the final round, confirming at least a bronze medal and his first senior honours as an individual (8.448).
Then the atmosphere went totally silent as France’s Quentin Jabet glided atop Estado IFCE. Lunged by Loic Devedu, the pair delivered a trouble-free performance. He had a tense wait after receiving his score from the judges (8.794).
From the leaders’ podium, he watched the young Sam dos Santos take the stage. The Dutchman’s horse, Hero, was not completely settled today and Dos Santos worked incredibly hard to hold together an impressive routine. Ultimately, the horse score left Dos Santos with the silver medal (8.508).
Jabet was overcome with emotion after finally fulfilling his dream of becoming Individual Male World Champion following silver medals in 2022 and 2024.
The high standard continued into the Squad final. Italy stunned with their dynamic routine and had to watch and wait as the final five teams entered. Despite having the third-best Freestyle today, the Italians ultimately could not make up enough points following their round one Compulsory score and had to content themselves with fourth (7.848).
France impressed with their fun Freestyle, showing off their unique style of Squad Vaulting enhanced by their individual talents. They watched and waited as Austria worked through some rhythm changes from their horse, Broadway NH. With all scores checked, France leapfrogged the Austrian Squad to take the lead (8.200) and guarantee themselves at least a silver, with Austria just behind (7.900).
Last to compete and hyped up by an enthusiastic home crowd, the German Squad entered with eyes only for gold. Their near-flawless performance earned a standing ovation and a Freestyle score of 8.745, securing a 15th World Squad title for Germany (8.477).
Medals round their necks, the champions left the Aachen arena, their moment of glory etched in their hearts and minds forever.
Germany and France take the final victories
The 2026 FEI Vaulting World Championship closed on Sunday, Aug. 16 in true Aachen style. Top class Vaulting, incredible horses and a sold-out stadium of dedicated superfans. Sport and art came together as one. Theo Gardies and Noely Thibaudat landed on top of the world in the Pas de Deux, with Team Germany reclaiming the world title in the official Team competition.
Germany’s Jannik Heiland and Kimberly Hyks rose through the ranks of the Pas de Deux after their beautifully emotional routine aboard Crashkurs was rewarded with 8.589 points. It was a dream come true as they saw their final score of 8.303 keep the lead again and again. Ultimately, they claimed the bronze medal – a feat they thought impossible after a round one fall.
Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella (ITA) too were overcome with emotion as they finished their dynamic programme. After a rollercoaster ride on the way to Aachen, their last-minute decision to team up with untried combination Malleret Romulus TS and Maud Bousignac-Dumont paid off. An 8.982 final score and a silver medal for Italy proof of their incredible vaulting talent.
The French combination of Theo Gardies and Noely Thibaudat was last into the ring and had a tough act to follow. They held their nerve and showed their style of Pas de Deux, working with Sir Sensation and Sirine Abousaid. Their final score, marginally less than the Italians, was enough from round one to send a first medal in Pas de Deux home to France, winning gold, 9.039.
It was a glorious day for Italy as they swiftly followed up one medal with another. Greggio and Zanella’s dedication unmatched, they competed individually and within the squad for Italy in the official Team competition. Italy was altogether rewarded with 8.771 and the bronze medal.
“We enjoyed it a lot, that was the main point for us and we wanted this. And the crowd helped a lot, super atmosphere,” said Greggio.
France and Germany were then head-to-head as it came to the final squad freestyles. France’s Quentin Jabet and Dorian Terrier placing just fractions behind Germany’s Kathrin Meyer and Alice Layher after the individual rounds were complete.
Two completely different styles, two squads packed with talent. A perfect artistic score for Germany confirmed them the top dogs in Vaulting sport right now. The silver medal went to France, 8.996. And the final gold to Germany (9.103) as they top the medal table.
As Germany and France remain completely dominant in Vaulting sport, on this occasion it was Germany who came out on top. The horses have been magnificent, showing true quality and composure, assisting their teams to moments of glory that will go down in history.
FULL RESULTS here.
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