On Wednesday evening, the 2026 FEI World Cup™ Finals competitors headed to the Tony Llama Draw Party at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. Several riders dressed with cowboy and cowgirl hats and boots, leaning into the Western culture of the city. Event organizer Derek Braun drew riders’ names from a bowl, then riders came up and selected a cowboy boot from the stage. On the bottom of each boot was a number that determined each rider’s order in Thursday’s Grand Prix.

Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) and Jewel’s Goldstrike will be with first Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final pair to head down centerline. The final of the 16 combinations to compete will be Raphael Netz (GER) and DSP Dieudonne. Click here to see the full order.

Christian Simonson (USA) selects his cowboy boot with no. 9 in the order. ©Amy K. Dragoo
The 2026 FEI World Cup™ Finals competitors took over Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth for the headed to the Tony Llama Draw Party. ©Amy K. Dragoo
Becky Moody (GBR) is about to selects her cowgirl boot with no. 14. ©Amy K. Dragoo
Thamar Zweistra (NED) selects the final boot for no. 15 in the order. ©Amy K. Dragoo

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.

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.