British Equestrian has confirmed the 23 athlete and horse combinations selected as definite entries for the FEI World Championships 2026, which will take place in Aachen, Germany, from 11–23 August.
The British squad will compete across six disciplines;
- Eventing
- Jumping
- Dressage
- Para dressage
- Driving
- Vaulting
The championships will be a major target for British Equestrian, with the event providing the first opportunity for nations to secure qualification for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
British Eventing Squad
The British Eventing team features five combinations heading to Aachen:
Rosalind Canter & Lordships Graffalo – Based in Hallington, Lincolnshire, Ros Canter will compete with Lordships Graffalo, the 14-year-old gelding owned by Archie and Michele Saul.
Laura Collett & London 52 – Gloucestershire-based Laura Collett will ride London 52, the 17-year-old gelding owned by Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and Laura Collett.
Caroline Harris & D. Day – Caroline Harris, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, has been selected with D. Day, a 12-year-old gelding owned by Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie-Anne Richardson and Heather Royle.
Tom McEwen & JL Dublin – Stroud-based Tom McEwen will represent Great Britain with JL Dublin, a 15-year-old gelding owned by James and Jo Lambert and Deirdre Johnston.
Gemma Stevens & Flash Cooley – West Sussex rider Gemma Stevens completes the British eventing definite entries with Flash Cooley, a 14-year-old grey gelding owned by Pru Dawes.
Eventing Reserves
The eventing reserves are:
- David Doel & Galileo Nieuwmoed
- Yasmin Ingham & Gypsie du Loir
- Tom Jackson & United 36
- Harry Meade & Cavalier Crystal
Rosie Williams, CEO of British Eventing said: “Congratulations to all the riders selected to represent Great Britain at the FEI Eventing World Championships. To wear the British colours at a World Championship is a tremendous achievement and testament to the talent, commitment and dedication of the riders, their horses and the teams behind them. Everyone at British Eventing is incredibly proud of the combinations selected, and we wish them every success as they prepare to compete against the very best in the world.”
British Showjumping Squad
The British jumping team features five combinations heading to Aachen:
Scott Brash & Hello Mango – Horsham-based Scott Brash, originally from Peebles, Scotland, will compete with Hello Mango, an 11-year-old grey mare owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham.
Harry Charles & LT Holst Freda – Harry Charles, from Alton, Hampshire, has been selected with LT Holst Freda, a 12-year-old grey mare owned by Eve Jobs and Harry Charles.
Ben Maher & Point Break – Bishops Stortford-based Ben Maher will compete with Point Break, a 12-year-old bay stallion owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright.
Jack Whitaker & Jack JL – Northamptonshire rider Jack Whitaker has been selected with Jack JL, a 12-year-old grey stallion owned by Candice Reilly.
Adrian Whiteway & Chacco Volo – Adrian Whiteway, from Wraxall, Somerset, completes the British jumping entries with Chacco Volo, a 13-year-old bay stallion owned by Deborah Cox.
Jumping Direct Reserves
Scott Brash
- Hello Folie
- Hello Jefferson
Ben Maher
- Catelly
- Enjeu de Grisien
Jumping Reserves
- Tim Gredley & Medoc de Toxandria
- Jessica Mendoza & Summerhouse
- Joseph Stockdale & Ebanking
Iain Graham, CEO of British Showjumping said: “We are delighted to announce our selected combinations for the FEI Jumping World Championships in Aachen. Representing Great Britain at a championship of this calibre is a tremendous achievement and I would like to congratulate each rider, owner and support team on their selection. We wish them every success as they prepare to compete on the world stage and look forward to cheering the team on in Aachen.”
British Dressage Squad
The British Dressage team entries feature four combinations heading to Aachen:
Fiona Bigwood & Donna Bella – Based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, Fiona Bigwood will compete with Donna Bella, her own 10-year-old chestnut mare.
Charlotte Fry & Glamourdale – Originally from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and now based in Den Hout, the Netherlands, Charlotte Fry will ride Glamourdale, the 15-year-old black stallion owned by Van Olst Horses and Charlotte Fry.
Carl Hester & Fame – Newent-based Carl Hester, originally from Sark in the Channel Islands, has been selected with Fame, his 16-year-old bay stallion owned alongside Fiona Bigwood and Mette Dahl.
Becky Moody & Jagerbomb – From Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Becky Moody will compete with Jagerbomb, her own 12-year-old bay gelding.
Dressage Reserves
- Charlotte Dujardin & Brave Heart
- Susan Pape & Harmony’s Giulilanta
- Sadie Smith & Swanmore Dantina
Judy Harvey, International Director at British Dressage said: “We had an extremely exciting set of entries for this year, with Carl Hester and Fame, Lottie Fry and Glamourdale, and Becky Moody and Jagerbomb all in the top five of the FEI Dressage World Rankings, which is enough to demand serious respect from their fellow competitors, and more than enough to make the judges sit up and pay attention. The decision for the fourth spot was an extremely close call, with Fiona Bigwood and her gorgeous homebred Donna Bella, daughter of her Rio Olympic team medal ride Atterupgaards Orthilia, being given the opportunity. The mare is very talented, and Fiona has a great partnership with her, so we are confident the duo will rise to the occasion.”
British Para Dressage Squad
The British para dressage squad includes four definite entries across different grades:
Grade 1
Mari Durward-Akhurst & Athene Lindebjerg – Based in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Mari Durward-Akhurst will compete with Athene Lindebjerg, a 19-year-old black mare.
Grade 2
Jemima Green & Fantabulous – From Arlesford, Hampshire, Jemima Green will ride Fantabulous, her own eight-year-old chestnut gelding.
Grade 4
Nicola Naylor & Moulin Rouge – Kent-based Nicola Naylor has been selected with Moulin Rouge, her own nine-year-old chestnut mare.
Grade 5
Sophie Wells & MSJ Gold Standard – Lincolnshire rider Sophie Wells will represent Great Britain with MSJ Gold Standard, a 10-year-old chestnut mare owned by Emma Blundell.
Para Dressage Direct Reserve
- Nicola Naylor & Humberto L
Para Dressage Reserves
- Sir Lee Pearson & Breezer
- Erin Orford & LJT Nutbush
- Sophie Wells & LJT Egebjerggards Samoa
Tracy Ormrod, Para Dressage Chief Selector at British Dressage said: “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.”
British Driving Squad
The British driving team entries include four athletes heading to Aachen:
Karen Bassett & Team – Based in Holbeck, Nottinghamshire, Karen Bassett will compete with a team of horses including Flora, Galvani Hedegaard, Gratia, Skyfall and Thit Hedegaard.
Peter Bennett & Team – Tarporley, Cheshire-based Peter Bennett will compete with Dirk, Elmo Almire, Kroonprins, Lodewijk and Lutiano.
Daniel Naprous & Team – Based in Mursley, Buckinghamshire, Daniel Naprous will compete with Ippon, Jack, Lord P.C, Lyzander V and Maystro.
Robert Wilkinson & Team – Rolleston, Leicestershire-based Robert Wilkinson completes the British driving entries with Fernando, Kamore, Luxor S, Muwandro and Norwold.
Andrew Counsell, Chairman for British Carriagedriving said: “British Carriagedriving is excited to send an experienced and balanced team of drivers to Aachen 2026. Following the success last year in horse pairs, we look forward to continuing that trend for other British drivers.
“Daniel Naprous, Karen Bassett, Peter Bennett and Robert Wilkinson have significant experience at international level and have been enjoying great success in competitions this year. Aachen is the pinnacle of equestrian sport and we look forward to supporting the British drivers at this amazing venue and event.”
British Vaulting Squad
The British Equestrian vaulting squad will be represented by individual female athlete Ursula Levett – Ursula Levett & Soel’rings Million Voices – Based in Aachen, Germany, and originally from Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, Ursula Levett will compete with Soel’rings Million Voices, a 13-year-old gelding owned by Pauline Riedl.
Rebecca Hewitt, Selection Coordinator at British Equestrian Vaulting said: “We are delighted to have Ursula Levett represent British Equestrian Vaulting at the World Championships in Aachen. Vaulting has always been part of CHIO in Aachen, but to be part of such a huge championships is such a privilege. Although we only have one representative this time, it’s fantastic for British vaulting to be part of the larger British team.
“Germany is the hub of vaulting, so we are expecting packed stands throughout the week and hope to see some British flags flying in support of Ursula.”
Funding
The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing the teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground.
“As we head to Aachen with one of the most competitive teams assembled for an FEI World Championships in many years, our primary focus for all disciplines is securing qualification for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games at this first opportunity,” commented Helen Nicholls, Performance Director for British Equestrian’s World Class Programme.
“However, it would be remiss not to mention the medal potential of the horse and rider combinations that are representing Great Britain. We bring together a squad that balances championship experience and previous podium placings with exciting new talents keen for success on the world stage.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic horse owners, sponsors and supporters and, of course, The National Lottery and UK Sport, whose support is critical in delivering success.
“Aachen will be a rare opportunity for equestrian fans to witness six sports competing together under one flag, as the best of British driving and vaulting represent their country alongside our World Class Programme athletes over a two-week period.
“With incredibly talented horses at the top of their game, piloted by hugely skilful athletes, we can’t wait to get going in Germany. With an exciting summer of sport across the globe already well underway, we’re quietly confident that British Equestrian really can bring it home!”
British Equestrian expresses gratitude for the support from their partners; Agria, Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek and Lotus Romeo.
