British Equestrian announced the team that will represent Great Britain at the 2026 FEI World Championships for para dressage, set to take place from 11–23 August in Aachen, Germany.
The definite entries for the British Equestrian para dressage team, announced in collaboration with the British Dressage selectors, are:
- Grade 1: Mari Durward-Akhurst (32) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart’s Athene Lindebjerg (black, mare 19yrs, 17hh, Gribaldi x Diamant, breeder: Ulla and Kristian Bech DEN).
- Grade 2: Jemima Green (37) from Arlesford, Hampshire, with her own Fantabulous (chestnut, gelding, 8yrs, 16.1hh, Foundation 2 x Furst Romancier, breeder: Rainer and Angelika Alhers GER).
- Grade 4: Nicola Naylor (65) from Ashford, Kent, with her own Moulin Rouge (chestnut, mare, 9yrs, 16.2hh, Ferdinand x Dorado, breeder: P. Buwalda NED) - (Reserve horse Humberto L)
- Grade 5: Sophie Wells (36) from Harby, Lincolnshire, with Emma Blundell’s MSJ Gold Standard (chestnut, mare, 10yrs, 16.2hh, Governer x Furstenball, breeder: Mount St John Equestrian LLP GBR).
The travelling grooms who will accompany the para dressage horses to Aachen are Maisie Hodge, Beth Revell and Julie Riches.
The reserves are:
- Sir Lee Pearson (52) from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with Jenson Guest, David Pearson, Linda Pearson and his own Breezer (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, s. Barcardi, breeder: Sir Lee Pearson GBR).
- Erin Orford (37) from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, with Carl Hester, Anne Barrott, Rowena Luard and The Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Nutbush (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Negro x Sion, breeder: Mr A. Gregory GBR).
- Sophie Wells (36) from Harby, Lincolnshire, with The Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (black, mare, 10yrs, 16.1hh, Blue Hors St Schrufo x I. P. S. Gribaldi, breeder: Anders Green Hansen DEN).
Tracy Ormrod, Para Dressage Chief Selector at British Dressage, commented, "This year's team have produced a campaign of consistent and upward trending scores, reflecting the exciting future of Para dressage in Great Britain. Each of the selected combinations truly deserve their place and give us great confidence in their ability to produce super performances when needed. We wish them all the best in Aachen. "We are in the fortunate position to have some younger horses on the team this year who will benefit from the experience that they will gain competing at a World Championship. Looking forward to LA2028, the level of talent we’re seeing across the grades offers great hope for the future of our sport. We are continuing to focus on the development of our athletes and horses for future championships so that we can bring home more medals."
Photo © Silke Rotterma,,
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the World Championships Dressage