-- FEI press release, Photos © Silke Rottermann
The horse inspection has been held, the horses got their familiarisation in the competition arena and the order to go has been drawn. All is ready for Para Dressage at the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026, as competitors prepare to launch the second week of competition.
Grade III
First to compete for individual glory on Wednesday from 08:30 local time are the Grade III Athletes, with 2025 FEI European champion Rixt van der Horst with Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P. stepping out early on in the draw for the Netherlands, as the second combination to go.
In contrast, hot favourite and triple Paris 2024 Paralympic champion Rebecca Hart of the USA will have to hold her nerve, as she and the flamboyant 18-year-old Hanoverian mare Floratina are 17th in the order out of the 19 combinations competing to head down the centre line.
Reigning FEI World champion Tobias Thorning Joergensen of Denmark will be aiming to retain his title, this time partnered by his Championship debutant, the striking 10-year-old black stallion Blue Hors Zackorado.
Grade I
As 13th to go, Mari Durward-Akhurst, the British medal hopeful, will be looking to secure her first gold with seasoned Championship campaigner Athene Lindebjerg. The combination has thus far been unbeaten throughout their 2026 preparations and will be looking to continue their winning streak this week.
The 15th combination into the arena in the Grade I competition will be Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H. The American athlete took on the ride of the nine-year-old black gelding in 2025, shortly after he secured gold for USA with Roxanne Trunnell at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The combination has been almost unbeatable since, and Vonderheyden will be keen to make her mark on the World stage on the opening day of competition.
Jamaica have their first-ever Para Dressage competitor taking to the world stage in the Grade I competition, with Tegan Vincent-Cooke having her moment to shine with the 18-year-old mare Stolen Kiss.
Grade II
Fourth to compete is Great Britain’s promising World Championship first-timer Jemima Green riding the exciting eight-year-old chestnut gelding, Fantabulous. Fresh from their bronze medal at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship 2025 in Ermelo (NED) last year, the combination will be one to watch among the medal contenders.
Ninth on the schedule is triple Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medallist Fiona Howard and the 13-year-old Hanoverian mare Diamond Dunes. Making their FEI World Championships debut, the combination has posted some impressive scores in 2026 so far and will be keen to replicate these when it matters.
Germany’s triple 2025 FEI European champion Heidemarie Dresing is 10th in the order with Poesie 143. As another World Championship debutant, the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare is ready to wow the crowds with her show-stopping trot work.
The penultimate competitor of the day will be Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen riding her long-time partner, the 18-year-old Goerklintgaards Quater. Having given birth to her baby boy eight months ago, Kristensen will be aiming to retain her FEI World Championship title with an extra member of the support team eagerly watching on.
Grade IV
the German team with a new horse Vive L’Amour
Seventh down the centre line, USA’s Kate Shoemaker will be looking to better her bronze medal from the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN) four years ago, this time competing with her Paris 2024 Paralympic partner, the stunning grey 10-year-old mare Vianne.
Twelfth to compete will be Germany’s medal hope Anna-Lena Niehues, riding her Championship debutant, the nine-year-old Westfalian mare Vive l’Amour.
Grade V
The final Grade of the individual competition will be Grade V, starting at 12:30 local time with the largest field of the five Grades, featuring 21 Athletes.
Geiger from Switzerland received a classical education
Swiftly following will be Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp, who has opted to compete on the 14-year-old Highlander Delight’s. Along with her Paris 2024 Paralympic and 2022 World Championship partner, the Athlete will have her eyes fixed firmly on the gold medal.
Pushing Wells and Mispelkamp all the way for a podium placing will be Britney de Jong, who is making her first senior FEI World Championship appearance for the Netherlands with her long-standing 19-year-old partner, Caramba N.O.P.
Palestine’s first-ever Para Dressage competitor, Elizaveta Minina, who also competes in Jumping at an international level, will be 17th to go in Grade V riding the nine-year-old KWPN gelding Magnaat.
Over the next two days of competition, the Aachen crowds will not only be able to witness five medal ceremonies, but are also set to be thrilled by top-level sport, incredible displays of athleticism and a bond between horse and rider like no other.
Photos © Silke Rottermann - no reproduction without permission
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2026 World Championships Dressage
