US Equestrian on August 5 announced a substitution to The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team ahead of the 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships. This update comes about one month after the initial team announcement on July 9. Jordan LaPlaca (Ledyard, Ct.) and Gold Play have formally withdrawn and will be replaced by Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) and Heartbeat W.P.

“In the spirit of staying true to my core convictions as a horseman and as a committed partner to my horse, Gold Play, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s FEI Dressage World Championships. Gold Play is okay and that is the most important thing, but as a member of the U.S. team, I have to do what is best not only for my horse, but for the entire team as well,” said LaPlaca. “This is not the end, just the beginning of great things still to come.” 

The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships will now include the following combinations in alphabetical order.  

Ashley Holzer (Wellington, Fla.) and Hawtins San Floriana, a 2012 Hanoverian mare (San Amour I x Floriana Elite, by Florestan I) owned by Dr. Diane Fellows and Ashley Holzer, and cared for by Allie Conti

Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) and Heartbeat W.P., a 2012 KWPN gelding (Charmeur x Showtime, by Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, and cared for by Meghan Laffin 

Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.)  and Fleau de Baian, a 2010 KWPN stallion (Broere Jazz x Fidora, by Ulft) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, and cared for by Georgia Morgan

Genay Vaughn (Elk Grove, Calif.) and Gino, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Bretton Woods x Lugienna, by Haarlem) owned by Michele Vaughn, and cared for by Alex Levine-Nevel

The following combination has been selected as the first reserve.

Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Toronto Lightfoot, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Totilas x Okima Lightfoot, by Onassis) owned by Scott Durkin, and cared for by Bill Davis  

Competition Information  

The 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships will be a pinnacle of international dressage competition this season and hosted during the first week of the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. Competition is set to begin on Tuesday, August 11, with the first day of FEI Grand Prix team competition starting at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2/2:00 a.m. ET. The second day of FEI Grand Prix competition to determine team medals will begin at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2/2:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 12. Dressage competition will get back underway in the Main Stadium at Aachen on Friday, August 14, with the start of the FEI Grand Prix Special for individual medals, starting at 10:50 a.m. GMT+2/4:50 a.m. ET. The final day of competition, the highlight FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, on Saturday, August 15, will determine individual medals and is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. GMT+2/1:00 p.m. ET under the lights in the main stadium to conclude dressage competition.  

For More:

Click here to visit the event website.

View the complete competition schedule here.

Once the event is underway next month, click here to check for results.