US Equestrian Names Riders for WEG Observation Event at 2026 CDIO Hagen

Dressage

U.S.A.

The United States Equestrian Federation has named the riders that will represent the U.S.A. in the FEI Nations Cup leg at the CDIO Hagen at Hof Kasselmann on 1 - 5 July 2026.

The U.S.A will be sending a full team for the Nations Cup as well as field additional combinations in the 4* and 3* Grand Prix tour as Hagen is considered a WEG team observation trial.

Nations Cup Team

Four riders from the short list were named on the team:

Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Toronto Lightfoot, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Totilas x Onassis) owned by Scott Durkin
Jordan LaPlaca (Ledyard, Conn.) and Gold Play, a 2015 Oldenburg gelding (Grey Flanell x Sir Donnerhall II) owned by Nancy Hutson and Jordan LaPlaca
Anna Marek (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Fayvel, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Zizi Top x Houston) owned by Cynthia Davila and cared for by Angela Van den Brink
Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) and Fleau de Baian, a 2010 KWPN stallion (Jazz x Ulft), owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center

CDI 4*

Kasey Perry-Glass - Heartbeat W.P.
Genay Vaughn - Gino

CDI 3*

Ellesse Gundersen - Quintessential
Quinn Iverson - Gremlin
Adrienne Lyle - Helix

CDI 1* (small tour)

Katie Duerrhammer - Rosebank VH

Short Listed Pairs and More

After the U.S. Grand Prix Championships, the USA named 8 riders to the short list for team consideration. More American riders are travelling to Europe to compete, but according to Roberts, they won't be considered for the team no matter their scores.

"The athletes which are entered in the 3* are not eligible for team consideration for this year’s World Championship as they did not submit an application for this year’s World Championship Team," Roberts told Eurodressage. "However, they are allowed to compete in the 3* to gain valuable experience in Europe this Summer to continue their development towards future Championships and Teams."

In principle all short listed pairs had to compete the full three rounds of the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix Championships for short-list consideration, but no less than four pairs got short listed yet did not fulfil that mandatory criterium. They are Christian Simonson (Indian Rock, now withdrawn), Genay Vaughn (Gino), Kasey Perry-Glass (Heartbeat WP) and Anna Marel (Fayvel). The latter did not even compete at the U.S. Nationals.

Laura Roberts, U.S. Technical director for dressage, explained to Eurodressage that the USEF rules allows for short list selection despite not fulfilling the criterium:

"Indian Rock, Fayvel, Heartbeat and Gino were included to the Short List based on I.C.1 of the selection procedures, “In exceptional circumstances, additional applicant athlete/horse combinations may be added to the Short List (possibly exceeding eight (8) athletes) which have not completed the required qualifying events as outlined in Section I.B.1.a. These combinations may be invited to compete at the Observation Events if the scores are reflective of a combination that could assist in the overall Team performance. In reviewing the possibility of adding the combination to the Short List, Selectors will use the criteria cited above, in addition to the combination’s scores achieved over the last six (6) months in FEI Dressage Events, greater weight will be given to the trend in scores in the most recent three months.”

Eurodressage asked Roberts if non-short listed riders could be considered for team selection if they outscored the short listed ones, for instance Lyle and Gundersen. Roberts replied, "Ellesse and Adrienne did not submit an application this year, so they are not able to be considered even if they were to outscore those on the short list."

Holzer in the U.K.

Holzer and San Floriana at the 2026 CDI Wellington

Short listed rider Ashley Holzer has asked for an exemption to compete Hawtins San Floriana not in one of the three designated observation events (Rotterdam, Hagen, Falsterbo), but at the CDI Hartpury instead.

"Ashley Holzer requested special consideration to attend Hartpury CDI3* and to spend time training in Great Britain with her longtime coach Carl Hester in preparation for possibly being named to the Team," Roberts told Eurodressage. "Her request was approved in accordance with section C.2.a of the selection procedures. “An athlete named to the Short List may request special consideration for Team selection without competing in the required number of Observation Events by submitting a written request prior to or during the Observation Event to the Selectors…”

The CDI Hartpury is Carl Hester's "home" show, six miles down the road from his yard, Oakelbrook Mill.