In this series, Jordan LaPlaca, a member of the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, shares his journey to this major championship. The Ledyard, Connecticut, native will partner with Gold Play, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Grey Flanell x Shangra La, by Sir Donnerhall II) owned by Nancy Hutson and LaPlaca. Read Part 1 here.

Growing up, I trained and competed in several disciplines from hunters and jumpers to eventing to saddle seat to combined driving. I wanted not just to ride and learn about all this stuff; I wanted to be a horseman. It was so important to me that I wanted to have a broad education base so that I could be the best for the horses, and I didn’t care whether that was dressage or jumping or developing driving horses or whatever. I really had this desire to be a horseman, so all of the disciplines have molded me and shaped me.

I would say the most influential one for me that has helped my training of dressage horses was the combined driving. It’s also my very first love as an equestrian sport discipline. The perspective of looking at the horse from the carriage and seeing the body move and the way the body has to emulate and articulate through all the things, it opens up your eyes to what’s going on underneath you when you are riding. That was really helpful!

Also, because of my background training driving horses, I start a lot of my horses on the double lunge lines and the long lining, working them on the ground as if I would be driving them. It’s helped eliminate the rider in the beginning phases, so the horse gains body education and understanding separate from having to process weight on their back and finding their feet. So, driving has been probably my biggest influence.

Combined driving experience has been a big influence on Jordan LaPlaca’s training program. Here he drives one of Chester Weber’s horses in Germany as they both prepare to represent the U.S. at the FEI World Championships in August. Courtesy Jordan LaPlaca

The European Experience

Fast forward to now, I’m putting my training into practice while based at Hof Kasselmann in Germany to prepare for the World Championships. Being here in Europe, it’s next level. It’s really a “we’re not in Kansas anymore” feeling. When you have the opportunity to come to another country to train and compete, your eyes are opened in a different way. You’ve got harder competition, and Germany has infrastructure that’s designed for developing horses. Because there is this infrastructure in place, you have examples and programs around that you get to watch and learn, and that in and of itself is invaluable.

My routine here is a little bit different than back at home. I came over with two horses. I have Gold Play, and I brought another horse named Valerioll, who I bought from the Kasselmanns with my client Denise Sarnoff. I’m riding them, and I’m also riding and driving for my friend Chester Weber, who is representing the U.S. in the four-in-hand combined driving at Aachen. I spend my spare time in the morning helping Team Weber with whatever they need for riding and driving and so on, then my afternoons are training with team chef d’equipe and technical advisor Christine Traurig. I also have a friend Insa Hansen here who works for the Kasselmanns, who I ride Valerioll with.

This routine is different because, for the most part, I get to focus on me and not so much everybody else at this point. That focus is incredible leading up to the World Championships.

It’s also surreal being based at Hof Kasselmann. When I came back with Gold Play and went directly into the indoor where I first sat on him, I had this little moment of nostalgia. It was a really wild experience! I never in a million years thought I’d be back here with my horse, so that was super incredible. We also had the privilege of meeting his breeder. To meet his breeder and come back here to Germany where we got him, it’s really been out-of-this-world special.

From when LaPlaca first rode Gold Play in Hof Kasselmann’s indoor arena seven years ago (pictured) to now preparing for the FEI World Championships at the same facility, it has been a surreal, full-circle moment. Courtesy Jordan LaPlaca

U.S. Team Camaraderie

Megan Davis, the second reserve for the U.S. Dressage Team, is here at Hof Kasselmann as well. A lot of the other U.S. riders are based over in Holland, then we’ve got another rider at a stable with Patrick Kittel. We’re a little bit all over the place but relatively close timewise being within a couple hours of each other.

Also, the exciting thing is you get to grow as a U.S. rider and have your U.S. colleagues with you here in Europe. Since we’re not at home, there’s this camaraderie with coming together, supporting each other and helping each other when needed. I think has been really special with the spirit of the U.S. team in general and focusing our sights on the LA28 Olympics. Ultimately, this is the training ground for the next step in Los Angeles and to have this time with your fellow countrymen is invaluable.

LaPlaca (back row second from the right) felt the U.S. team camaraderie while he and his fellow short-listed riders were based in Europe preparing for the FEI World Championships selection, such as during the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ Germany where the U.S. took team bronze in July. ©FEI/www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de/Stefan Lafrentz

Lessons Learned Abroad

My biggest takeaway is there’s still so much more to develop and experience. I’m a person who cannot stand stagnation, and to be able to know that we can still have a plan to make things better for the future is really special and exciting. I have also gotten more confident. Being in the ring with the “big kids” is helpful with building confidence that I belong in the ring. And my hope of being really good example for the future of U.S. riding and competing is giving me a little more purpose.

Also, I wouldn’t be able to do this without my wife, Caitlin LaPlaca. She is why I’m processing everything in stride. She’s my groom, so working side by side with my wife has been very special and grounding. I’ve been able to take this all in with a support system that not everybody has, and it’s invaluable.

The Month Leading up to the World Championships

In the lead-up to the, the U.S. team has a training camp coming up in Holland before the World Championships in Aachen. But the biggest thing is not to stress out or change the program in a way that’s going to affect Gold Play negatively. I’m outspoken about this for myself and my horse, and I’m really grateful that Christine and I have such a good relationship where we can discuss the program, what we’re doing and not overdo it. When I say I need to take a day and go up into the mountains and hack him so he’s fresh in the head and good in the body, she’s very respectful of that. I feel fortunate that I’m not pressured.

Obviously, I have pressure for myself. But Christine, my owner Nancy Hutson, and everybody who knows me knows that they don’t need to pressure me because I’ve already over-pressured myself on a good day, so having that support has been really awesome in preparing for Aachen.

Also, I don’t feel a desire to change everything. We keep it steady; we keep it consistent and happy. And Gold Play is super consistent. I think what helps the most is that he is so consistent. It eliminates a factor that isn’t always the case for everybody and their horses, and that’s not lost on me.

Whether he is at home or in Germany at Hof Kasselmann (pictured), Gold Play is a consistent partner who is helping make dreams come true. Courtesy Jordan LaPlaca

Come what may, it’s already been a win. Just being here’s a win. I’m on cloud nine, so it’s been a blast to live a childhood dream that’s coming true.

For More:

  • See more FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 coverage here.
  • View the event website here.
  • Check out Jordan LaPlaca’s website here.

About Jordan LaPlaca

Jordan LaPlaca is an FEI Grand Prix trainer and competitor who has represented the U.S. on the international stage. In 2026, he won team and individual gold at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ USA in Wellington, Florida, and team bronze at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ Germany in Hagen, Germany, with his talented partner Gold Play. After a stellar year of top results, the pair was named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026, taking place in August in Germany.

In addition to being a USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist with Distinction, Jordan is a well-rounded horseman with experience in a variety of disciplines, ranging from dressage to eventing to Western. He is also an FEI combined driver, who has competed in the U.S. and Canada. Jordan and his wife Caitlin run Maverick Hill Dressage LLC, their dressage training and sales business, out of Standing Stones Farm in Ledyard, Connecticut.