World Cup Jumping Final - three competitions and a maximum of four rounds plus (possible) jump-off for 1.5 million euros

The horses have arrived safely at the Dickies Arena. The arena, which has space for 14,000 spectators, is named after a sporting goods manufacturer. Fort Worth, with its one million inhabitants, has spruced itself up. Four-legged friends have always played a major role in the history of the Texan city. But above all cattle, longhorns. Their impressive horns are a symbol of the city.

Who will ride the course for Germany?

Four combinations from Germany are competing in the show jumping competition. Originally, Philipp Schulze Tophoff had also wanted to travel to Texas, but his mare was not in the form that would have been worth the effort. So it is now a German quartet that will be competing against 32 other riders in the Dickies Arena:

Daniel Deußer and Otello de Guldenboom

Daniel Deußer rides Otello de Guldenboom. The stallion is a son of Tobago Z, who himself took part in the World Cup Final twice, in 2019 (4th) and 2023.Otello de Guldenboom was victorious in Verona in 2025, second in the World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux in February and sixth in Gothenburg. This will be Daniel Deußer’s eighth start in total. He was at the World Cup Final for the first time 19 years ago and finished second with Air Jordan Z.

Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir

Richard Vogel saddles up for the third time at the World Cup Final. His choice has fallen on Gangster Montdesir. Vogel has been riding the ten-year-old stallion from France since the summer of 2025 and won the 5* Grand Prix in Wellington in February, among others. The pair also have five other top 10 placings in their 16 starts since September 2025.

Patrick Stühlmeyer and Baloutaire PS

A premiere is on the cards for “Stühli”. The 2024 German Champion was fourth in the World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam and third in Mechelen with Baloutaire PS, bred at Gestüt Lewitz by Patrick Stühlmeyer’s boss Paul Schockemöhle.

René Dittmer and Cody

Finally, René Dittmer and Cody complete the cloverleaf, which will be supervised on site by national coach Otto Becker. Dittmer will also be riding in his first World Cup Final. The 32-year-old from Stade near Hamburg is taking the Holsteiner Cody by Casall with him to Texas. He was born to the 1994 team world champion, Sören von Rönne. Dittmer has been very successful in the USA in recent weeks.

36 two-legged, 39 four-legged athletes

Following the withdrawal of McLain Ward (USA), 36 riders have traveled to Fort Worth. They come from 18 nations. Among the qualifiers are several former World Cup winners such as Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs (SUI) or Daniel Deußer.

Monks, sons, math teachers

The starting field includes very different riders, some of whom were not automatically programmed to make a career on the show jumping course. Japan’s Eiken Sato is known to have grown up in the Myōshō-ji temple as the son of a Buddhist monk. Jessica Burke from Ireland won the qualification in Bordeaux. She was previously a math teacher.

16 riders will be making their debut, including Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen. The 29-year-old Norwegian has an experienced coach: his father Geir has ridden in five World Cup finals.

One of the youngest starters is the American Mimi Gochman. She is 21, the same age as her teammate Skylar Wireman. One of the top favorites is also American: Kent Farrington, the number two in the current world rankings, saddles the immensely successful mare Greya. The oldest starter is Laura Kraut (USA, 60).

The road to the final

There are four courses over three days. First there is a timed jumping competition, with three seconds added to the result for each knockdown. The results are converted so that the winner has zero points. The time difference to the leader is decisive for the ranking points.

The best 30 riders from the second competition, which includes a jump-off, will qualify for the first rounds of the final competition on Sunday. The 20 best combinations in this competition will then have the opportunity to win the World Cup Jumping Final.

How high is it?

All competitions feature obstacles up to 1.60 meters in height. The last jumping competition is the most technically demanding.

What is there to win?

The World Cup Jumping Final is endowed with a total of 1.3 million euros. The first jumping competition is worth 100,000 euros (winner: 23,000 euros), the second 150,000 euros (winner: 34,500 euros) and the third 300,000 euros (winner: 69,000 euros).

The World Cup final ranking is lucrative: the winner receives 172,500 euros, second place 131,250 euros and third place 78,750 euros.

When do you ride?

The World Cup final in the USA means short nights. The further west, the greater the time difference. Fort Worth is seven hours behind Germany. As a result, there will hardly be a jumping event to be seen that starts before midnight in Europe.

The schedule

Thursday, April 9, 2 p.m. (9 p.m. German time): first qualifier (time jumping)

Friday, April 10, 7 p.m. (Saturday, April 11, 2 a.m.): second classification (possibly with jump-off)

Sunday, April 12, 8 a.m. Vetcheck (Sunday, April 12, 3 p.m. in Germany)

12 p.m. (Sunday, 7 p.m.) Final part A (the best 30 riders from the two qualifiers)

3 p.m. – Final! The best 20 from the A-course (10 p.m. or 5 a.m., Monday, April 13).