The 2026 FEI Dressage World Cup Final entries for the competition in Fort Worth, Texas (April 8-12) have been released – and a host of European riders has declined to compete.
Several of the western European league’s qualifying top nine won’t be making the trip, including league winner Justin Verboomen, Isabell Werth, Larissa Pauluis and Marieke van der Putten. Defending champion Lottie Fry has also declined her automatic spot.
Most are prioritising this summer’s World Championships in Aachen over the flight to the US.
Becky Moody gambled on contesting just three qualifiers – finishing second in London and Lyon, and third in Amsterdam – and it has paid off. As a rider’s four best scores count, her 54-point tally from three outings secured seventh place in the western European league and an automatic spot in Fort Worth.
Charlotte Dujardin, who contested just two qualifiers – finishing fifth in London and sixth in Amsterdam – finished 25th in the league but will still compete with Alive And Kicking.
She secured one of two additional starting places created after Lottie declined her automatic spot, allocated under a rule awarding an extra place to the highest-ranked rider on the FEI dressage world ranking list who has competed in at least two qualifiers but not already qualified through the league.
But it will be Becky and Jagerbomb who will enter as favourites, having posted the highest average score in qualifying among those travelling.
Charlotte, who pipped Becky to second place in the London grand prix, will be expected to challenge, as will 2024 winner Patrik Kittel with Touchdown. Home favourite Christian Simonson (Indian Rock) could be the wild card.
2026 FEI Dressage World Cup Final entries in full
Patrik Kittel (SWE) with 14-year-old gelding Touchdown
Owner: Sommarkvarn AB
Breeding: by Quaterback, out of a mare by Sack
Raphael Netz (GER) with 15-year-old gelding Great Escape Camelot
Owner: Theres Boss and Sonja Kristina Krall
Breeding: by Johnson out of a mare by Turbo Magic
Becky Moody (GBR) with 12-year-old gelding Jagerbomb
Owner: rider and Jo Cooper
Breeding: by Dante Weltino out of a mare by Jazz
Thamar Zweistra (NED) with 11-year-old gelding Kingsdale
Owner: Marieke Ponzo Dieu – De Pundert
Breeding: by Everdale out of a mare by Negro
Morgan Barbançon (FRA) with 20-year-old stallion Sir Donnerhall II
Owner: rider and Marie Carmen Mestre Pons
Breeding: by Sandro Hit out of a mare by Donnerhall
Carina Cassøe Krüth (DEN) with 15-year-old mare Heiline’s Danciera
Owner: Poul Thøgersen
Breeding: by Fürstenball out of a mare by De Niro
Bettina Kendlbacher (AUT) with 13-year-old gelding Broadmoars Don Alfredo
Owner: Broadmoar KG
Breeding: by Destano out of a mare by His Highness 2
Alexa Fairchild (BEL) with 15-year-old gelding Fairplay
Owner: rider
Breeding: by Delatio out of a mare by Krack C
Moritz Treffinger (GER) with 17-year-old stallion Fiderdance
Owner: Gestüt Bonhomme GmbH & Co.KG
Breeding: by Fidertanz out of a mare by Blue Hors Don Schufro
Sandra Sysojeva (POL) with 10-year-old mare Maxima Bella
Owner: rider, Dominika Krasko Bialek and Piet Lenskens
Breeding: by Millenium out a mare by Christ 3
Justina Vanagaite-Samuile (LTU) with 13-year-old gelding Nabab
Owner: rider, Ramunas Bogdanas and Jurga Girniute-Bogdaniene
Breeding: by Sir Donovan out of a mare by Krack C
Serena Ireland (AUS) with 14-year-old gelding Royalty R
Owner: rider
Breeding: unregistered
Christian Simonson (USA) with 13-year-old stallion Indian Rock
Owner: Zen Elite Equestrian Centre
Breeding: by Apache out of a mare by Vivaldi
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN) with 12-year-old gelding Jaccardo
Owner: Jill Irving
Breeding: by Desperado out of a mare by Jazz
Kevin Kohmann (USA) with 17-year-old gelding Duenensee
Owner: Diamante Farms
Breeding: by Dancier out of a mare by Daivgnon I
Yassine Rahmouni (MAR) with 15-year-old gelding Kind of Magic
Owner: Joy Nouvelle Greets
Breeding: by All At Once out of a mare by Jazz
Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) with 15-year-old gelding Jewel’s Goldstrike
Owner: rider and Jessica Mendoza
Breeding: by Bretton Woods out of a mare by Scandic
Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) with 12-year-old mare Alive And Kicking
Owner: rider
Breeding: by All At Once out of a mare by Fürst Piccolo 2
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