Under sunny blue skies, 16 horse-and-rider athletes representing 13 nations convened at the massive Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, this afternoon for the horse inspection and facility familiarization at the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final.

Riders were allowed 30 minutes each to introduce their horses to the impressive show ring, before presenting their horses to a ground jury for inspection, all of which were approved to move on to the first round of competition.

Four-time Olympic veteran Patrick Kittel of Sweden will be seeking his second World Cup championship in three years, having won in 2024 on Touchdown, the mount he will be riding in Fort Worth. Representing the U.S. will be World #9 and Team Prac member Christian Simonson with Indian Rock, World #33 Kevin Kohmann with Dünensee and Ben Ebeling and Bellena. Simonson and Ebeling are making their first appearance in the Final while Kohmann will be competing in the Final for the third consecutive year.

World #9 and Team Prac member Christian Simonson (USA) and Indian Rock were all smiles and ears up at the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final horse inspection. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Athletes Competing in the 2026 Dressage World Cup™ Final

The line-up of world-class riders includes:

  • World #4 Becky Moody (GBR) with Jagerbomb
  • World #5 Patrik Kittel (SWE) with Touchdown 
  • World #9 Christian Simonson (USA) with Indian Rock 
  • World #10 Raphael Netz (GER) with Great Escape Camelot
  • World #12 Sandra Sysojeva (POL) with Maxima Bella 
  • World #14 Carina Cassoe Kruth (DEN) with Heiline’s Danciera
  • World #19 Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN) with Jaccardo
  • World #30 Thamar Zweistra (NED) with Kingsdale 
  • World #31 Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) with Jewel’s Goldstrike
  • World #33 Kevin Kohmann (USA) with Dünensee
  • Ben Ebeling (USA) with Bellena
  • Morgan Barbançon (FRA) with Sir Donnerhall II
  • Bettina Kendlbacher (AUT) with Broadmoars Don Alfredo
  • Moritz Treffinger (GER) with Fiderdance
  • Alexa Fairchild (BEL) with Fairplay
  • Serena Ireland (AUS) with Royalty R
  • Yessin Rahmouni (MAR) with Kind of Magic
  • Justine Vanagaite (LTU) with Nabab
World #33 Kevin Kohmann and Dünensee are also representing the U.S. at the 2026 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth this week. ©Amy K. Dragoo
World #31 Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) with Jewel’s Goldstrike during the horse inspection. ©Amy K. Dragoo
World #4 Becky Moody (GBR) and Jagerbomb make their way down the jog lane. ©Amy K. Dragoo
Ben Ebeling and Bellena are the third combination representing the U.S. at the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Opening ceremonies for dressage competition kick off at 6:15 p.m., Thursday, April 9, and the 2026 €25,000 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final Grand Prix starts at 7 p.m. The €275,000 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final Grand Prix Freestyle will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

Thanks to Zoetis for our coverage of the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, photos and more.

For More:

  • For more of our coverage of the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, click here.
  • To check out the event website, click here.
  • To view the event schedule, click here.  
  • To buy tickets for the event, click here.
  • To check results once the competition gets underway, click here.
  • Watch the 2026 FEI World Cup™ Finals live stream on FEI.TV.