Competitions

Great Britain leads Eventing after dressage,U.S. is sixth

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August 14, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--Great Britain leads on 72.8 following the Dressage phase of the FEI Eventing World Championship in Aachen on Friday, Aug. 14.

Tamra Smith on Lillet 3 (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Laura Collett on London 52 had Great Britain’s best score of the competition, 22.8, while Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo added 23.4.

Those scores, combined with Tom McEwen and JL Dublin’s overnight 26.6, leave the Brits in prime position heading into Saturday’s Cross-Country phase, as Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley’s 29.3 is discarded.

Host nation Germany is close behind on 73.6 penalties after moving into second place, with France sitting third on 84.5.

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Charlotte Fry won the Dressage Individual gold medal, Christian Simonson 29th

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August 14, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN,, Germany--Defending World Champions Charlotte Fry of Great Britain  on Glamourdale won the gold meal in the Grand Prix Special at the FEI Dressage World Championship on Friday, Aug 14.

Christian Simonson on Fleau de Baian (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photography)Fry's score continue to climb throughout the test, eventually finishing on 82.295%.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark on  Mount St John Freestyle won the silver medal on 80.927, while Katharina Hemmer of Germany on Denoix PCH won the bronze with 80.866.

Christian Simonson on Fleau deBaian, the only American to qualify for the Grand Prix Special, finished 29th of the 30 qualifiers on 68.456.

Simonson, a very young up-and-coming superstar is America's hope for the future. 

"Fleau felt actually amazing in the ring today," said Smonson. "He felt so good and so with me each step. The passage work and the extension work I was so happy with. I had a little mistake coming into the the first half passes, where I did some changes."

"But I'm so happy with him and the team," he said. "It's been an amazing journey. And I feel very grateful to get to learn and grow as I'm continuing my career. I think that was an example of that today, and so I'm just very happy to be here and happy with today."

Simonson competed in Aachen as a Young Rider and then in the Pan Am Games.

"Yeah, it's been a kind of a whirlwind," he said. "I have unbelievable levels of gratitude when I think of the journey. I've written down so many goals, like competing at a Pan Ams or competing in a World Cup."

"So these past five years or so or since 2023, even the past three years, have felt like so much of a whirlwind, but it's so much and so many thanks to give," said Simonson.

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Caroline Pamukcu and Phillip Dutton 14th and 15th after Eventing day one dressage

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August 13, 2026

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany--New Zealand and Great Britain are tied for the lead while The Brit's Tom McEwen on JL Dublin leads individually after day one of Eventng dressage.

Phillip Dutton on Denim (Photo by Allen MacMillan)After two riders from each of the teams, New Zealand and Great Britain each scored 55.9, and Germany is third on 59.9 while the U.S. is sixth of the 16 teams with a score of 64.9.

McEwen leads on 26.6 with Jonelle Price of New Zealand on Senor Crocodile second on 27.3 and  Alexis Goury of France on Je'vail third on 28.5.

Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake is 14th on 32.3, and Phillip Dutton on Denim is 15th on 32.6. 

Due to hot weather in Aachen, in Dressage, the Grand Prix Special Individual Final will now start at 08:30, 2:30 am Eastern, with a break from 12:30 (6:30) to 15:00, before resuming at 15:00.

The revised schedule reduces competition during the hottest part of the day/

Eventing cross country times may also be changed at a later date.

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U.S. dressage team eighth, Simonson qualfied for the Grand Prix Special

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August 12, 2026

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany--Twenty years after winning team gold in Aachen, Germany repeated the feat in front of their home crowd at the FEI Dressage World Championship 2026.

Christian Simonson on Fleau de Baian (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photo)The hosts finished on a team total of 235.063%, 3.618 points clear of Great Britain with 231.445, while defending champions Denmark won bronze on 229.426.

The U.S. finished eighth of the 19 teams on a score of 210.621.

Only the top six teams qualified for the Los Angeles Olympics, but the U.S, as the home nation was pre-qualified.

Christian Simonson on Fleau de Baian was the highest U.S. rider, placing 26th on 71.394 and qualifying for the Grand Prix Special on Friday.

Kasey Perry-Glass on Heartbeat W.P., who had competed Tuesday, finished 31st on 70.606 and just missed qualifying, but may still make it if someone drops out.

Ashley Holzer on Hawtins San Floriana, last to go, scored 68.711.

It felt surreal," said Simonson. "I'm a little speechless, honestly, at the moment. But it's just something I'll never forget. It was just really special. I try to be incredibly present with him, and I know that I can do my best job if I don't worry about anything else.

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Kasey Perry-Glass 11th after first day of World Championship dresssage

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August 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany--Frederic Wandres of Germany on Bluetooth OLD leads individually after day one of team dressage on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the World Championships.

Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth OLD (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Wandres, who competed Bluetooth at the Dressage Festival in Florida last winter, leads on a score of 75.963 over Becky Moody of Great Britain on Jagerbomb,,, who scored 73.820.

After two riders of each four man team have competed, Germany leads Great Britain with Australia third if you take just the top score of each team, while it's Germany, Denmark and Great Britain if you use both rider's scores.

For the U.S., Kasey Perry-Glass on Heartbeat W.P. is 11th on 70.608, and Meagan Davis on Toronto Lightfoot is 25th on 67,624 of the 45 riders that have gone, while the U.S. is eighth of 17 teams.

Both  Perry-Glass and Davis were last minute substitutes on the team when first Jotfan LaPlata and then Genay Vaughn had to withdraw.

"I just hoped or a clean, consistent, solid test for him," said Perry-Glass, who had previously been a member of the Rio dressage squad. "I'm so proud of him. That is the biggest atmosphere he's been in and biggest I've been in. I've been to a couple games, but this is just something else.  What I love the most is that I know what to expect and how to channel my nerves."

The U.S. won the Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin

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August 7, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

DUBLIN, Ireland --The U.S. team of Karl Cook, Paris Sellon, Natalie Dean and Laura Kraut, with chef d'equipe Robert Ridland, won the historic 100th anniversary of the 250,000 Euro Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin on Friday, Aug. 7. 

U.S. team, Karl Cook, Natalie Dean, Robert Ridland with the trophy, Laura Kraut and Paris Sellon on the podium in DublinThe U.S.finished on zero faults to win over Ireland with four faults and Switzerland with eight faults.

It was a nail biting competition that came down to the very last horse to go to decide the results.

This trophy is the most coveted and iconic award in show jumping," said Ridland. "To win it on its 100th anniversary is incredible."

“It’s always special to win such a prestigious Nations Cup, but I think the most important thing was that all four of our rider's scores counted Sometimes when you win three riders are good and the fourth had a bad day, but today all four contributed.  Winning the Aga Khan is special."

Cook on Caracole de la Roque,and Sellon on Chad Blue PS both jumped clean in both rounds.

Dean on Mr. Bombastic was clean in round one, while Kraut on Baloutinue had four faults, leaving the U.S. tied with Ireland on zero faults after round one.

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Kait Meggenhofen won over JJ Torano in Young Rider

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August 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Kait Meggenhofen on Diva de Talma won the Young Rider individual gold medal on Sunday, Aug. 2 at the North American Youth Championships.

Kait Meggenhofen on Diva de Taima (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)Meggenhofen just eked out the victory by .61 over JJ Torano, finishing on 12.99 over Torano's 13.60 after five rounds.

“My mindset was really just to keep consistent and keep going start to finish,” Meggenhofen of Zone 5 said. “I was just happy to be here, let alone have my horse jumping clear. I’m not going to lie, the pressure is hard but I just trust my horse. She’ll do everything to jump for me.”

“Diva is a chestnut mare but doesn’t act like one unless she sees a jump and then she’s all game,” she said. “She’s perfect.”

Torano finished with identical scores in each round as Meggenhofen, however his penalties from the Individual Qualifier put him slightly behind her for the silver.

“From start to finish I thought Inge jumped great,” Torano said. “I was very happy with how I rode. Stepping up to this level you have to be pretty perfect to leave all the jumps up. In the last round I don’t think anyone jumped clear, but I was really happy with Inge; she dealt with it great. She stepped up at the last minute so for her to perform like that I couldn’t be more pleased with her.”

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Bennett McWhorter won the Junior Individual Freestyle

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August 4, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Bennett McWhorter of Wellington, Fla., on Dalia won the gold medal in the Junior Individual Freestyle with a personal best score of 74.355%, and earning his third gold medal of the week.

Bennett McWhorter on Dalia (Photo by Centre Line Media)This year’s championship marked a historic first for NAYC dressage.

Four nations competed in multiple categories throughout the week, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico joined for the first time ever by the Cayman Islands.

“It really feels great,” McWhorter said. “It’s wonderful to see all of our hard work come together, and I couldn’t have done it without my incredible support, especially my coach, Ali Brock.”

McWhorter’s freestyle, set to music from Wicked, was created with his mother.

“We wanted to have a little fun with the music and had a lovely time helping match the story to Dalia to make it a beautiful, harmonious test,” he said. “Even though it’s at the end of a long week, she still was just so determined and so incredibly supportive of me, so that we could both achieve our goals together.”

Adélia Gauthier of Canada on Fayette DDS won the silver with a personal-best score of 73.460%.

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Violet Tatum won the Junior Individual gold at the Youth Championships

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August 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY,Mich.--Violet Tatum on BP Swifty, repesenting Zone 10, won the Individual gold medal in the Junior Category over two riders from Zone 2, Scarlett Samuels on Confidence and Rylynn Conway on Capella Y on Saturday, Aug.1.

Violet Tatum on BP Swifty (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)Zone 10 is California, and Zone 2 is Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

After five rounds of competition, Tatum finished on a score of just 4.00 penalties, with Samuels second on 5.52 and Conway third on 10.44.

Tatum had just one rail in round two of the Team Competition, where she helped secure a team silver medal, and then had two more clear rounds Saturday finalized her win.

“Going in on top is definitely a lot of pressure but I knew if I gave her a good ride Swifty would give me her all,” Tatum said. “She’s such an incredible horse and this is such a meaningful event to earn gold at.”

“She’s very feisty but I think that is what makes her such a winner,” she said. “She’s all heart, and she just gives me her all every time. She’s so sweet and willing to do whatever I ask of her.”

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Erin Nichols won the U25 Freestyle at the North American Youth Championships

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August 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Erin Nichols of Wellington, Fla., on Kind Pleasure won the CDIOU25 Grand Prix Freestyle with a personal best score of 73.530%, sweeping all five judges’ panels and capping a triple gold week for the pair.

Erin Nichols on Kind Pleasure (Photo by Centre Line Media)“This show is so special, and to come home with three gold medals is more than you could ever dream of,” Nichols said. “I’m so proud of my horse. He really shined tonight and enjoyed himself, and that’s what we’ve been working on. I’m really excited for the future with him.”

“We bought him when he was nine years old to develop, and now to have our first championship under our belt, you can’t ask for anything more," said Nichols of the now 11-year-old Kind Pleasure. "He’s such a cool horse, and he’s starting to really shine in the ring and show off.”

Nichols rode to a freestyle built around Elton John’s music, designed with Karen Robinson.

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Zone 10 wins team gold in Young Rider and Pre-Junior

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August 1, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Zone 10 dominated the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championship on Friday, July 31, winning the gold medal in  both Young Rider and Pre-Junior categories.

Zone 10 celebrates its Young Rider Team gold medal at the FEI North American Youth Championships at Flintfields Horse Park. Zone 4 earned silver, while Zone 7 completed the podium with bronze. (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)In Young Riders, the Zone 4 team that included JJ Torano and Olivia Sweetnam appeared stronger on paper, but Sweetnam, riding a new young horse had an uncharacteristic four and eight faults, and Torano also had a rail down in round two to drop the team to second.

Zone 10 riders Della White, Emmeline Adamick, Grayson Pacelli, and Cameron Trimino, led by chef d’equipe Michael Endicott, finished on 34.23.

The Zone 4 team of Torano, Sweetnam, Isabelle Ehman, and Jole Kosloske, with chef d'equipe Kim Land, won the silver medal on 39.28.

Zone 7 team of Eleanor Rudnicki, Philippa Ammann, Mary Rose Canterbury, and Campbell Brown, led by Chef d’Equipe Mary Ann Thomas, won the bronze medal, finishing on 41.44 penalties, just over two penalties behind second place.

“It feels great to have a gold medal, especially with Zone 10 returning as defending champions,” Adamick said “It’s a really cool feeling. I’m proud of myself and my teammates for doing so well.”

“It is an incredibly rewarding feeling to be holding the gold medal right now, especially alongside this incredible team,” Trimino said. “To represent Zone 10 is always a privilege and to have brought up my horse since he was a 7-year-old to this level, with him not having seen a course like this before and handling it so well, it’s amazing.”

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Zone 2 won the Junior team gold medal at the North American Youth Championships

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August 1, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Zone 2 won the team gold in the Junior category on Thursday, July 30 at the FEI North American Youth Championships in Travrese City.

Scarlet Samuels on Confidece (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)The Youth Championships hosts teams for Children's, Pre-Juniors, Junior and Young Riders competing for team and individual medals in jumping and dressage.

In jumping, the first competition is a speed class, after which finishing places are converted to points, followed by a two round team competition for team medals and then a two round individual competition for indiviidual medals.

Zone 2 consists of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Capturing the team gold medal in the Junior section was Zone 2, led by Krista Freundlich.

The winning team, made up of Scarlett Samuels, Cecilia Chatterjee, Agatha Lignelli, and Rylynn Conway,completed on  a score of just 4 faults over the two rounds, bringing their finishing score after days one and two to 8.47 penalties, carrying an impressive lead over second place.

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Robert Whitaker on Vermento won the King George V Cup for third time

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July 27, 2026

By Staff Writers

HICKSTEAD, England--Last year’s winners Robert Whitaker and Equine America Vermento won the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup for the third time on Sunday, July 26, on the final day of the Agria Royal International Horse Show.

Robert Whitaker on VermentoNot since the great Foxhunter took Harry Llewellyn to a third victory in 1953 has any horse won this title three times, and Robert and Vermento became the first combination in the modern era of the sport to achieve this, winning in 2023, 2025 and now in 2026.

Robert has also equalled his father's tally of wins in this class, with John Whitaker taking the title in 1986 on Ryan’s Son, 1990 on Milton and 1997 on Welham.

Robert's uncle Michael Whitaker has won the class four times, with David Broome holding the record with six wins.

Drawn eighth to go in the first round, Robert produced the first of the five clear rounds with the 13-year-old son of Argento, meaning he had the unenviable first draw in the jump-off.

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Olivia Dutton wins bronze in Eventing U25 World Championships

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July 26, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

MILLSTREET, Ireland--Olivia Dutton on Jewelent jumped a brilliant clean jumping round with only .4 time faults in the final phase of the Eventing U25 World Championships to win the bronze medal on a score of 48.2.

Olivia Dutton on JewelentWith three riders in the top six, the U.S. would have won the team gold medal, but unfortunately two of those three were riding as individuals, so the U.S. as a team actually finished fifth and last after two team riders were eliminated on cross country.

Great Britain won the team gold on 149.7, Germany won silver on 168.6, and Ireland won bronze on 180.6.

The U.S. threesome of Dutton, Molly Duda and Jack Curtis finished on a combined score of 146.6 and would have been the gold medalists if they had been the team.

Meg Pellegrini on Dondante was 13th overall on a final score of 56.9, so the U.S.had three in the top aeven and four in the top 15.

Dutton, who was 12th going into the final phase, moved steadily up the  leaderbord as nine of the 11 in front of her had rail after rail down.

Dutton  was one of only six clean jumping rounds of the 30 who had survived the cross country and morning jog to compete.

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Sean Jobin won over McLain Ward in Traverse City Grand Prix

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July 26, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich,--Sean Jobin of Canada on Arkuga won the $116,500 CSIO3* Grand Prix in Traverse City on Saturday, July 25 to close out week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.

Sean Jobin on Arkuga“Arkuga gave me a nice birthday gift today so I’m real happy with him for pulling through,” said Jobin, who was celebrating his birthday,

Jobin finished clean in 39.59 in a 13 horse jump-off to win over McLain Ward on First Lady, clean in 39.85, with Eva Fisherman on Casallvano, the only other clean in the jump-off, third in 41.69.

“The first round I probably clicked a bit faster than I needed to but that suited well for the jump-off because he was already on a blistering pace,” Jobin said of the course set by Peter Grand of Canada. “I went quick one to two to three and then steadied off after. I got tight after the triple combination but he tried so well. After that it felt super easy for him.”

Jobin went after Ward, who had gone second in the jump-off.

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U.S. fifth after cross country at Eventing U25 World Championships

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July 25, 2026

By Staff Writers

MILLSTREET, Ireland--The U.S. is fifth and last of the five teams in the inaugural Eventing U25 World Championship after two of the team riders had falls and were eliminated.

Alice Casburn on TopspinBut despite that, there is some better news.

Molly Duda on Disco Traveler, who is competing as an individual, is eighth on 45.2, just a little  over two rails behind the individual leader, Alice Casburn of Great Britain on Topspin. 

Olivia Dutton on Jewelent is 12th on 47.8, Meg Pellegrini on Dondante is 13th on 48.9,and Jack Curtis, competing as an individual, is 14th on 49.2.

If those four had been on the team, the U.S.  would be fourth on 141.9, just a rail out of third.

The British team, led by Casburn, leads on 121.1

Great Britain and Ireland each had all four team riders clear around Mike Etherington-Smith’s influential and beautifully presented cross-country course and the two nations are only separated by a mere 4.7 penalties – the cost of just one showjumping rail.

British team riders Jasmine Underwood on Indian Girl G, Cerys Macaulay on Kananaskis and Tom Bird on Lenny, are in fourth, seventh and 15th places.

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U.S. a great second in Traverse City Nations Cup

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July 24, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--An inexperienced U.S. team took on strong, experienced teams with Olympic veterans and finished a great second in the $75,000, CSIO3* Nations Cup in Traverse City on Thursday, July 23,

Lacey Gilbertson on Belle Amie vd Dassenheide ZThe team of Hunter Holloway on Henry Jota Ariel, Lacey Gilbertson on Belle Amie VD Dassenheide Z, Savannah Jenkins on Hector du Ter and Callie Schott on Diamond Touch finished with16 faults to place second behind Israel with four faults, while Ireland finished third on 24 faults.

Canada was fourth with 28 faults, Mexico was fifth with 27 faults and Brazil was sixth with 44 faults.

The U.S. finished round one with 16 faults. four each for Gilbertson and Schott and eight each for Holloway and Jenkins, and then Holloway, Gilbertson and Jenkins all went clean in round two, meaning Schott didn't even have to go.

Only five clear rounds were produced in round one across the competing teams, a testament to the challenging and technical design of the course set by Peter Grand of Canada, and only three, Ilan Ferder and Daniel Bluman for Israel and Shane Sweetnam for Ireland, were double clean..

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U.S fourth after dressage in U25 World Championships

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July 24, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

MILLSTREET, Ireland--The U.S. team is fourth on July 24 following two days of dressage in the inaugural  Eventing U25 World Championship  in Millstreet.

Cassie Sanger on Fernhill ZeroThe U.S. team is only 2 points out of third place.

Germany leads with Ireland second on 91.8 and England third on 95,1.

Cassie Sanger on Fernhill Zero is the highest placed American and stands sixth individually on 30.2.

Olivia Dutton scored 35.8 to be the drop score for the U.S. team. 

The coss country starts tomorrow, Saturday, July 25 at 7 a.m. Eastern and is available to livestream on ClipMyHorse.

Thi was the only results available by 9:30 pm - nothing further from USEF or FEI. 

Skylar Wireman and Samantha Schaefer tie for win in Traverse City Speed

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July 23, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX ad Skylar Wireman on Barclino B ended in a very unusual tie to share the win in the $31,100 CSIO3* Speed on Wednesday, July 22 during week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City.

Skylar Wireman on Barclino B (File photo by Allen MacMillan)Schaefer and Wireman both finished clean in 65.07 seconds.

Schaefer typically reserves James Bond for grand prix and jump-off action, but she thought the speed format might play in their favor Wednesday. 

“This is a horse I've had since the end of its 8-year-old year and he's 12 now, so I know him very well,” she said. “He was supposed to jump last week so he was nice and fresh coming into this week. My plan was to have an efficient go, and to stick with my plan and play to our strengths.”

Wireman’s Barclino B is a horse that has taken the young rider all over the world to jump at the highest level.

“I'm really happy with ‘Barry’; he was amazing,” Wireman. “We went with our plan to go for a bit of speed and aim for a top placing today. Obviously, being tied for first was exciting. Honestly I don't think there was a faster route to take without doing the risky inside turn.”

While they took different tracks, the two still managed to cross the timers in the exact same time over the course set by Peter Grant of Canada.

“There was an opportunity to go inside from fence three to four,” Schaefer.

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Six U.S. riders to compete in inaugural Eventing U25 World Championship

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July 22, 2026

By Staff Writers

MILLSTREET, Ireland--Olivia Dutton of West Grove,Pa., is among the U.S. riders competing at an inaugural Eventing U25 World Championship from July 23-26.

Olivia DuttonHistory will be made in Millstreet as the first-ever FEI Eventing U25 World Championship gets underway, bringing together 40 riders from 14 nations to contest a brand new title and mark an important milestone in the sport.

Riders representing 14 nations will compete in Millstreet: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

There will  be a team competition as well as an individual championship.

France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and the United States will contest the team medals, with each nation able to field four riders in the team while any additional riders compete as individuals.

Leading the line-up is Germany's Calvin Böckmann, who tops the current FEI Eventing U25 Ranking.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season, finishing fourth individually at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Blenheim.

Together with Altair de la Cense, he arrives in Millstreet among the favourites to become the first FEI Eventing U25 World Champion.

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McLain Ward, Laura Kraut and Lillie Keenan finish well in Saugerties, N.Y. and Germany

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July 20, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--Looking towards the upcoming World Champioships in Aachen Aug. 11-23, McLain Ward on High Star Hero and Liliie Keenan on Fasther kept their horses in competitoin mode by placing in competitions in  HITS Saugerties and Riesenbeck, Germany on Saturday, July 18/

McLain Ward on High Star Hero in a WEF Grand Prix (Photo by Sportfot)Laura Kraut, who is named for the U.S.World Championships team on Bisquetta, rode Baloutinue to win the Kingsland Trophy Global Champions League 1.60m speed class in Riesenbeck,

Kraut, world ranked no. 11, won the Longines Global Champion Tour Grand Prix Qualifier by 1.26 seconds, finishing in 71.29 to beat Bertram Allen of Ireland on Conquest de Rigo with Jörne Sprehe of Germany on Toys third in 72.59.

Keenan on Fasther took the last spot in the Saturday class available for prize money - 13th - with Fasther  with four faults in 75.0.

In Saugerties, Ward, first to go in the jump-off on High Star Hero in the $116,050 CSI3* Grand Prix on Saturday at HITS Hudson Valley IV, finished second to Mark Bluman of Israel on Ubiluc.

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U.S. has three in top 20 in Rolex Grand Prix won by Shane Sweetnam

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July 13, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

FALSTERBO, Sweden--Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on James Kann Cruz won the CSIO5*, 1.60m two round Rolex Grand Prix on Falsterbo in a thrilling jump-off against a field that included most of the top riders in the world.

Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz The top 14, all of which were clean, qualified for round two from a starting field of 50 over the two courses set by Frank Rothenberger.

Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy JT Z, who has been winning at an incredible rate since early spring, was third to go in round two against the clock and just barely touched a fence behind that resulted in four faults, but she finished in 40.10 to place eighth, the fastest of those with four faults.

Then clean times got faster and faster - Ben Maher on Point Break was clean in 40.21, followed by  Andreas Schou of Denmark on Napoli VH Nederassenhof in 39.98, Steve Guerdat of Switzerland on Albfuehren's Lashin Sitte in 38.68, and Richie Vogel of Germany on Claudio, 38.63.

It seemed impossible to beat Vogel's 38.63, but Sweetam made an incredible turn and despite a slip on that turn jumped clean and finished in 37.68 for the win over Vogel and Guerdat.

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Jad Dana won over Aaron Vale in $250,000 Grand Prix in WEC

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July 12, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Jad Dana of Lebanon on Itchcock des Dames won the $250,000 CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday evening, July 11 during the Summer Series at the World Equestrian Center.

Jad Dana on Itchcock des Dames (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Five made the jump-off over the course set by Marina Azevedo of Brazil.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25, second to go in the jump-off, went clean in 42.03 seconds to go into the lead.

“My plan was to go wide from one to two in seven," said Vale. "Even going wide, the seven was still quite slow for me. I was very deep at fence two, which made my eight strides to number three very fast. In the course walk, I thought I might have been able to get eight back to the wall, but I was a little far off the oxer, so I ended up doing nine.”

Heading into the jump-off, Dana knew he was chasing one of the fastest riders in the sport, with another speedy rider still to go.

“I mean, I’m competing against Luis Sabino Goncalves and Aaron Vale," said Dana. "They are absolutely amazing, so I knew it was going to be hard to beat them for sure."

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Young U.S. team third in Falsterbo Nations Cup

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July 11, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

FALSTERBO, Sweden--A young U.S. team, either rider or horse, finished a great third against teams that included most of the top ranked riders in the world in the CSIO5* Nations Cup in Falsterbo on Friday, July 10. 

Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy Jt Z (Photo by Morgan Fromont)The team of Kent Farrington on the young, 9-year-old Descartes SR, Natalie Dean on first time Nations Cup mount Fornett d'Emeraude, Mimi Gochman on Iron Maiden and Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy Jt Z finished with eight faults to place third behind Switzerland and Belgium who finished with zero faults and jumped off to determine first and second place.

Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Lorde won the jump-off with three time faults after Pieter Devos 0f Belgium of Primo DV had a stop and time faults to finish with 13 faults.

It was a different and interesting Nations Cup.

In the first round, with so many of the top riders competing, there were 18 clean rounds, with Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland finishing on zero faults, the U.S., Ireland and France with four faults, Great Britain with eight and Denmark with 10 to make round two.

Germany, with the very strong team of Andre Thieme, Sophie Hinners, Phillip Weishaupt and Richie Vogel, amazingly had 17 faults to suffer elimination along with Mexico with 20 faults,

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JJ Torano, Leading Rider in Lake Placid, won the Jumper Classic on Dora Du Valon

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July 6, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--JJ Torano was Leading Open Jumper Rider at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

JJ Torano on Dora Du Valon (Photo by KindMedia)At just 16 years of age, Torano was the busiest and winningest rider at the LakePlacid Horse Shows.

Along with a number of wins in both National and FEI classes that contributed to his Leading Rider title, Torano also had multiple wins in junior/amateur jumper and young jumper classes.

Torano on Dora Du Valon won the $25,000, 1.45m Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 5, and that win sealed his Leading Rider title.  

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Molly Ashe Cawley won the $100,000 Lake Placid Grand Prix

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July 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorona  won the $100,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix on Saturday, July 4 at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the 2026 Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorona (Photo by KindMedia)Cawley won over a field of 33, six of which went clean to make the jump-off over the course designed by Alan Wade, course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Defending champion Philip McGuane of Ireland, who won last year on Orphea HQ, was first to go in the jump-off, and he rode Paso Doble SCF to go clean in a fast time of 37.73 seconds.

After the next three horses had faults, Cawley took the lead with a clean round in 37.21 seconds to win.

McGuane placed second and Nicky Galligan oI reland finished third with the fastest four-fault round of 40.69 seconds on Jolly-Jessy.

“I watched Philip go, and he’s blazing fast and that horse is blazing fast,” said Cawley, Lake Placid Grand Prix champion in 1999. “When he turned back to the third jump, it was a little dicey, and when he cleared it, I thought ‘game over.’ But I went in and gave it the best shot I could and somehow, I’m not sure how, we caught him.

“Lorona is just learning how to go fast," said Cawley. "She’s 10, but she’s green, and I guess she figured it out. She’s been amazing all spring and summer. She’s jumped a lot of clean rounds. I just started going fast with her in May. She’s picked it up quickly and I couldn’t be more happy or proud of her.”

Samuel Hutton won in Lake Placid while Lillie Keenan won at Spruce Meadows

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July 4, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Samuel Hutton of Great Britain on Etincelle D’Ellipse won the $32,000, FEI 3* Speed Class on Friday, July 3 at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the Lake Placid Horse Shows

Samuel Hutton on Etincelle D'Ellipse (Photo by KindMedia)On the same day, Lillie Keenan on For Kicks won the 1.55m Cup, the final qualifying event for the $1 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada.

Hutton won over a field of 25 at Lake Placid.

Eight-time Olympic veteran Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil on Ziggy Stardust was the first to go in the speed class over a course course designed by Alan Wade, course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games, and he set a tough time to beat with a clean round in 66.94 seconds.

Pessoa’s lead held for half the class until Hutton finished clean in 66.70 seconds.

None of the remaining 12 entries could match Hutton’s clean time, with the closest being Vasco Flores of Puerto Rico on Stena, who finished clean in 67.79 seconds on Stena to place third, with Pessoa's time holding on to place second..

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Kent Farrington won in Traverse City

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July 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Kent Farrington on Diakatisa opened the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival with a win in Thursday’s $31,100 CSI3* Welcome Stake.

Kent Farrington on Diakatisa (Photo by Naralie Suto)Though he had a great week to close the Spring Series with his top mount Greya, Farrington’s focus is back on the youngsters he is developing.

The Olympic silver medalist entered two 9-year-olds in Thursday’s class, and both were clean over Martin Otto’s course.

There were 19 clean, but Diakatisa won by over a second.

“She’s really learning the ropes and learning how to compete,” Farrington said

“She’s getting better and better at her job. It’ll be fun to see where she ends up in the future.”

“It’s hard to find good horses, so I try to pick talent when they’re young,” he said. “Some of them look a little bit wild and unrideable, we try to do the best we can to train them and some of them make it up the ranks into hopefully being stars for the future.”

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Giavanna Rinaldi and Brianne Goutal-Marceau won in Lake Placid

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July 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Giavanna Rinaldi on Big Beauty Z ironically won the $45,000 Brianne Goutal LLC FEI 3* Jump-off class on Thursday, July 3,  the day after Goutal-Martesu on S&L Marlon VD Heffinck won the $5,000 FEI 3* Two-Phase class at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Giavanna Rinaldi on Big Beauty Z (Photo by KindMedia)Rinaldi rode two of the eight horses that reached the jump-off over the course designed by Alan Wade, course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games.

She was second to go in the jump-off on Caldaro Van De Oude Heihoef and had what turned out to be the fastest time, 37.19 seconds, but a rail down at the last fence cost her four faults, giving her an ultimate fourth place finish.

Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorena was the first clean in the  jump-off ride, taking the lead in 38.90 seconds.

Rinaldi on Big Beauty Z followed her on course and turned in what proved to be the winning ride, finishing clean in 38.55 seconds.

“My first horse is an 8-year-old, and he’s very green,” Rinaldi said. “I thought I would try to get him to learn something. He was doing everything that I asked and he has a really big stride, so I went for the leave-out at the last and ended up pushing him just a bit through it. A little bit of a green mistake, but he’ll learn from it and come back next time.

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Aaron Vale won the $250,000 Grand Prix at WEC

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June 30, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin won the $250,000 Grand Prix CSI4* on Saturday evening, June 27 at the World Equestrian Center.

Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin (Photo by Andrew Ryback)From a field of 20, eight were clean to make the jump-off over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland. 

Third to go in the jump-off, Vale, who had won the $150,000 CSI3* Grand Prix the previous week, was the first to go clean, finishing in 41.74.

"I knew there were some fast ones behind me because the qualifying was inverted and some of the best ones went last," Vale said. "But I walked the plan. I was nine strides from one to two. There were two places I thought I could have gotten one less. Luis Sabino Goncalves was ultimately the only one that figured out the track to get it, and then he had the last jump down, so it worked out for us."

"You know, he's a small horse, but he is a fighter, said Vale. "And he just keeps doing it. It wasn't the biggest track tonight for a four-star. We wanted to have a jump-off. But still, somehow this horse just sneaks around these courses and you come out and say, 'Wow, that wasn't that hard,’ He’s a great little horse and has a great group of people that own him with me. He is just so fun.”

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