Raphael Netz and Moritz Treffinger at the World Cup Dressage Final, "extra starting place" for Charlotte Dujardin (GBR)

Many riders with top results had decided not to fly to Fort Worth, a city of millions located next to Dallas, including world number one Justin Verboomen and his compatriot Larissa Pauluis, who were at the top of the rankings in the Western European League. Isabell Werth, fifth among the qualifiers in Western Europe, has also decided not to compete.

Two riders from Germany in the 2026 World Cup Dressage Final

Two of Germany’s up-and-coming riders, Raphael Netz and Moritz Treffinger, will be competing in Fort Worth. As fourth in the Western European League, Raphael Netz can be counted as a candidate for a podium place. Always assuming that good riding also brings good points. He will fly to Texas with the experienced Great Escape Camelot by Johnson. The pair delivered a personal best result of 80.94 percent in the freestyle in Neumünster. Both had already competed once in the 2024 World Cup Final. They finished fifth in Riyadh. Back then, they scored 76.482 percent.

Moritz Treffinger makes his debut with “Fidel”

For Moritz Treffinger, taking part in the final is a great adventure. The rider from Bonhomme Stud has never been to the USA – not even privately. He will be taking the 17-year-old stallion Fiderdance by Fidertanz with him, who has more flying experience than his 22-year-old rider. Treffinger, 13th in the Western European League, made it into the starting field after riders ranked ahead of him withdrew. “Just taking part is something I wouldn’t even have dared to dream of six months ago,” the native of Baden-Württemberg told EQUI PAGES.

Prominent Europeans

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, who lives in Münsterland, and Touchdown by Quaterback, winner of the final in Saudi Arabia 2024, will be flying to Texas, as will British Olympic finalist Becky Moody with Jagerbomb by Dante Weltino. Other pairs with Olympic freestyle experience are Carina Cassøe Krüth with Heiline’s Danciera by Fürstenball, who is riding again after her ban expired, and Sandra Sysojeva with Maxima Bella by Millennium, who is competing for Poland.

US boy could surprise

Two riders from the USA have qualified. Christian Simonson‘s performance is eagerly awaited. With the KWPN stallion Indian Rock, he has a horse under the saddle that also competed in the freestyle final at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. At that time, the black horse was still riding for the Netherlands under Emmelie Scholtens. Simonson has received high percentage points with Indian Rock at starts in the USA. In this respect, in addition to his performance in the World Cup Dressage Final, his performance will also be scrutinized in view of the World Championships in Aachen this year.

Extra starting place for Charlotte Dujardin

The World Equestrian Federation (FEI) has awarded two extra starting places. This option is provided for by the complex rules and regulations. This means that the British rider Charlotte Dujardin, who has recently once again been the subject of public debate, will also be present in Texas. Representing the continent of Africa, Moroccan Yessin Rahmouni, who lives in the Netherlands, will fly to the “Lone Star State” with Kind of Magic.

The horses from Europe will fly from Liège in Belgium to the USA on April 2. After a short quarantine, during which the horses can only be led by grooms in protective clothing, training can begin on April 5.

Start times for the 2026 World Cup Dressage Final

The Grand Prix will be ridden on April 9 at 7 p.m. local time (April 10, 1 a.m. in Germany). The freestyle is scheduled for April 11 from 7 p.m. (April 12, 1 a.m. in Germany). The venue is the Dickies Arena. Rodeos have already taken place there in front of 19,000 spectators.

A total of 18 pairs from 15 nations are taking part in the World Cup final.

Official website of the 2026 World Cup Final