Three freestyle gold medals for the US contingent cap off exciting week of para-dressage competition at Aachen 2026
By Kim MacMillan
Music filled the air at the para-dressage arena as fans watched all five grades compete in musical freestyle on the final day here in Aachen. The start list in each division was limited to the top eight based on the previous days of competition.
The US Para Team had a successful day earning three gold medals and the admiration of the audience. The day began with Grade III competition. Rebecca Hart, and her 2024 Paris Paralympic gold-medal partner Floratina, entered the arena as the first pair of the day riding to music from the movie Driving Miss Daisy. Their creative and enjoyable test earned 74.327%.
“I am so pleased that we came out here and did three very consistent days,” said Hart. “Floratina has been perfect—that first section of trot work was on the money every beat. I never thought we were going to make it to Aachen; I thought Paris was going to be our swan song. But at 18, she’s happy and fit, so we will see what the future holds?”
The gold medal in Grade III was won by Rixt van der Horst from the Netherlands riding Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P. (83.120%). Silver went to Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Blue Hors Zackorado (79.940%), and bronze to Francesca Salvadèm and Escari of Italy (79.587%).
The USA’s Fiona Howard, also a gold medal winner in Grade II in Paris in 2024, piloted her gelding Diamond Dunes, dancing to the soundtrack from Avatar. The judges rewarded their efforts with a score of 81.866% and a gold medal.
After an exciting week of competition, Howard was a bit tired going into the arena on Sunday. “I went in for the freestyle and said to Diamond Dunes, ‘I’m gonna need a little more help this time,’ and he was like, ‘Okay, I got you.’ I can just totally trust him.”
Grade II silver was claimed by Jemima Greene and Fantabulous of Great Britain (80.933%). Bronze went to Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 (80.807%).
Grade I freestyle competition brought the debut of a new championship competitor for the USA in Marie Vonderheyden, riding Karin Flint’s gelding Fan Tastico H. Being the newest combination on the US team didn’t phase them, though. They laid down an upbeat performance to music designed specifically for “Fanta” that garnered 80.540% and a gold medal.
Vonderheyden was very happy with the results, which included a personal-best score. “This is my first time at a championship, so for me it’s hard to put it into words. It was a fantastic experience.”
The silver medalist in Grade I was Italy’s Sara Morganti riding Bond Girl 18 (78.767%), while bronze went to Rihards Snikus from Latvia riding Rise and Shine (75.420%).
Kate Shoemaker, who was also on the Paris team in 2024, was the last rider to go into the Allianz Arena in Aachen for Team USA with her mare Vianne. They put in a beautiful, harmonious test to music from the movie Forrest Gump. Their score was 83.305%.
“This horse is so special. The medals are icing on the cake,” said Shoemaker, “I decided that it’s the last day and I was not going to hold back. She stayed relaxed and with me the whole time. I think we had our best extended trot of the entire competition, so I added it impromptu down the last centerline just for fun.”
France’s Alexia Pittier and Sultan 768 were second (78.645%) and Helen Brandt and Vulkan Vegas from Germany were third (78.005%), respectively, in Grade IV.
There was not a Grade V rider for the US. Winners of that division were: Lena Malmström and Fabulous Fidelie (SWE) with a 79.675% for gold; Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s (GER) earned a 78.185% (silver), and bronze going to Britney de Jong and Caramba N.O.P. (NED) with a 77.440%.
For more news on the US contingent in Aachen go to the USEF Aachen page at: https://www.usef.org/events/world-champs-26
Find a schedule, orders of go, and results at https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2026/fei-world-championships-aachen-aachen/
