Team PracUS Equestrian announced the combinations selected to represent the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships hosted in Aachen, Germany, from August 18-23, 2026. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Michel Assouline alongside Team Leader Laureen Johnson.
The following combinations have been selected to represent the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships and are listed in alphabetical order:
- Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD) owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young
- Fiona Howard (Boston, Mass.) and Diamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De L’Or x Wolkentanz), owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty
- Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and Vianne, her own 2016 Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube) cared for by Jessica Martin-Legg
- Marie Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Furstenball OLD x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo
The following combinations have been selected as alternates (listed in alphabetical order) to represent the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships:
- Eleanor Brimmer (Wellington, Fla.) and Langagers Krack I Love It, her own 2011 Danish Warmblood mare (Krack C x Lauritius) cared for by Angela Howell
- Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Liberation, a 2016 Hanoverian gelding (Libertad FRH x Wind Dancer) owned by Rowan O’Riley
- Fiona Howard (Boston, Mass.) and Ferguston, her own 2018 Hanoverian gelding (Finnigan x Wolkentanz)
- Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and Ghandi, her own 2011 KWPN gelding (Bojengel x Tuschinski)
Competition Information
The 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships will be a pinnacle of international para-dressage competition this season and will be hosted during the second week of the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. Competition is set to begin with Grades III, I, and II on Wednesday, August 19, with the first qualifiers for the individual freestyles, featuring the FEI Grand Prix Para Test A beginning at 8:30 a.m. GMT+2/2:30 a.m. EST. Grades IV and V will enter the arena for their first individual freestyle qualifier on Thursday, August 20, beginning at 9:00 a.m. GMT+2/3:00 a.m. EST.
The FEI Grand Prix Para Test B for Grades III, I, and II will start team competition on Friday, August 21, beginning at 9:00 a.m. GMT+2/3:00 a.m. EST, with Grades IV and V closing out competition to determine team medals on Saturday, August 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. GMT+2/2:30 a.m. EST.
Para-dressage competition will conclude on Sunday, August 23, with all grades taking to the dressage court for their FEI Grand Prix Para Freestyles. Grade III will kick off the final day of individual medals at 8:15 a.m. GMT+2/2:15 a.m. EST, with Grade II to follow at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. EST, and Grade I at 10:50 a.m. GMT+2/4:50 a.m. EST. Grade IV competition takes place at 1:30 p.m. GMT+2/7:30 a.m. EST, and Grade V will conclude the competition at 2:55 p.m. GMT+2/8:55 a.m. EST.