Which riders/pairs will represent the USA at the World Championships in Aachen? The candidates

Jumping shortlist for the World Championships

Ten riders are on the shortlist of show jumpers, some with several horses. The overview.

Karl Cook (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)

with Caracole de la Roque, Selle Français born 2012 by Zandor Z, and b, Selle Français born 2015 by Armitages Boy >

With Caracole de la Roque, trained by Julien Epaillard, Karl Cook was part of the Olympic silver team in 2024 and the gold team at the 2023 Pan Am Games, Foxy de la Roque was already victorious in 1.60 m Grand Prix with her previous rider Victor Bettendorf and placed highly with her new rider.

Natalie Dean (Palo Alto, Calif.)

with Mr. Boombastic, Selle Français born 2014 by Vigo Cece x Sable Rose, and Pedro van de Barlebuis, BWP born 2015 by Echo van’t Spieveld >

27-year-old Dean took part in the 2023 World Cup final, but has no other championship experience

Katie Dinan (New York, N.Y.)

with Out of the Blue SCF, BWP born 2014 by Verdi TN >

the pair have just made a name for themselves at the World Cup final in Fort Worth in third place, having already finished eighth in 2025

Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.)

with Descartes SR, Mexican sport horse born 2017 by Caramelo, GreyaOS mare born 2024 by Colestus, and Toulayna, Zangersheide mare born 2014 by Toulon >

The sporting successes of the World Cup winner and world number one need little explanation, here you can find out more about the special career of Kent Farrington

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)

with Baloutinue, Hanoverian born 2010 by Balou du Rouet, Bisquetta, Zangersheide mare born 2014 by Bisquet Balou, Dorado, OS gelding born 2013 by Diarado’s Boy, and Tres Bien Z, Zangersheide gelding born 2015 by Toulon >

Laura Kraut is a legend in the show jumping saddle, was the 2008 Olympic show jumping team champion and was part of the silver teams at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games with Baloutinue.

Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.)

with Argan de Beliard, Selle Français born 2010 by Mylord Carthago, Fasther, KWPN born 2010 by Vigo d’Arsouilles, and Kick On, British sport horse born 2014 by Warrior >

With Argan de Beliard, Keenan was part of the 2022 World Championship team in Herning, with Kick On she took part in two World Cup Finals and was recently tenth in Fort Worth

Marilyn Little (West Palm Beach, Fla.)

with Heidi von Imhoff, Holsteiner born 2015 by Christian, and La Contessa, Mecklenburger born 2015 by License >

Marilyn Little was a double winner at the Pan Am Games in 2015 – albeit in the eventing saddle. However, she has also always been active in international show jumping. Heidi von Imhoff took her over from Maximilian Weishaupt at the turn of the year and has been successful with her several times in CSI4* and 5* competitions. She recently came second with La Contessa in the CSI5* Grand Prix in Monterrey.

Callie Schott (Wellington, Fla.)

with Garant, KWPN born 2011 by Warrant >

Callie Schott took over the gelding from her boss Beezie Madden, in 2025 they were part of the US team at the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona

Aaron Vale (Williston, Fla.)

with Carissimo, Holsteiner born 2013 by Cascadello >

This pair was also part of the Nations Cup final team in Barcelona in 2025 and finished seventh at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth

McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.)

with High Star Hero, BWP born 2013 by Zaza, and Jordan Molga M, KWPN born 2014 by Etoulon VDL >

Ward was banned from competing in Aachen for a while because he was caught with sharp pieces of plastic under the leg protection of his horse Benetton in 1999. At the time, he was banned for life from competing at the show, which he himself describes as the “cathedral of show jumping”. After serving his FEI ban and apologizing several times, he was allowed to ride at the Soers again in 2004. Although this incident has not been completely forgotten to this day, one thing cannot be denied about Ward: He rides like no other. The list of his successes is long. Among other things, he was twice Olympic team champion, three times Olympic team silver medalist, team world champion and World Cup winner. High Star Hero won the Grand Prix in Wellington at the end of February. Jordan Molga M only took over Ward from Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) at the end of last year and has already placed highly with him several times.

The tournaments CSI5* Aachen, CSIO5* Rome, CSIO5* La Baule, CSIO5* St. Gallen and LLN CSIO5* Rotterdam are regarded as viewings

Shortlist of dressage riders at the World Championships

The US dressage riders’ shortlist for the World Championships currently comprises eight pairs. However, the recently crowned national champion Ellesse Gundersen with Quintessential is missing. In order to be considered for selection, riders must first register for the selection process. Gundersen failed to do so. However, according to the US portal Dressage-news.com, she has the opportunity to travel to Europe at her own expense and thus retain a chance of being nominated for the World Championships.

The following pairs are now on the shortlist:

Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Florida)

with Toronto Lightfoot, Oldenburg born in 2013 by Totilas > not yet a champion, but part of the winning Nations Cup team in Wellington, where the USA prevailed against Germany. PB in the Grand Prix: 72.108 percent.

Ashley Holzer (Wellington, Florida)

with Hawtins San Floriana, BHHS born 2012 by San Amour > San Floriana was formerly jointly owned by Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin and was successfully shown by Dujardin at national level up to Grand Prix level. She moved to Ashley Holzer in 2024. No championship experience, but part of the winning Wellington team. PB in the Grand Prix: 70.261 percent.

Jordan LaPlaca (Ledyard, Connecticut)

with Gold Play, Oldenburg born 2015 by Grey Flanell > No championship, but Nations Cup win. First CDI season at Grand Prix level. PB in the Grand Prix: 69.935 percent.

Anna Marek (Dunnellen, Florida)

with Fayvel, KWPN born 2010 by Zizi Top > eighth place at the 2024 World Cup Final in Riyadh, Nations’ Cup victory in Wellington, PB in the Grand Prix: 73.131 percent

Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Florida)

with Heartbeat W.P., KWPN born 2012 by Charmeur > Kasey Perry-Glass had her international breakthrough with the Dane Goerklintgaards Dublet, who carried her to team bronze at the 2016 Olympics and team silver at the 2018 World Championships as well as two World Cup finals. No championships yet with Heartbeat W.P., PB in the Grand Prix: 72.022 percent.

Christian Simonson (Wellington, Florida)

with Fleau de Baian, KWPN born 2010 by Jazz and Indian Rock, KWPN born 2013 by Apache > With the acquisition of Indian Rock, who was previously the Olympic horse of Dutch rider Emmelie Scholtens, the 23-year-old Simonson took off. Provisional highlight: second place at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, PB in the Grand Prix: 76.043 percent.

Fleau de Baian had been trained up to Grand Prix level by Adelinde Cornelissen. He had just won the freestyle at the national championships with Simonson. PB in the (international) Grand Prix: 69.065 percent.

Geñay Vaughn (Elk Grove, California)

with Gino, KWPN born 2011 by Bretton Woods > Holga Finken trained Gino up to Grand Prix level, in 2023 he competed in his first tests with Geñay Vaughn. In 2025 they qualified for the World Cup Final in Basel. PB in the Grand Prix: 72.282 percent.

Adrienne Lyle has been a fixture on the US team in recent years and is the trainer of Christian Simonson, among others. She recently made her comeback after a one-year break from competition with her Olympic and World Cup horse Helix and was victorious in the Grand Prix (72.239) and Special (73.213). She had also not registered for the sightings but, according to Dressage-news.com, intends to travel to Europe at her own expense.