What a spectacle! We were treated to a feast of equestrian action at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, North Carolina — and experienced the whole spectrum of emotions during that rollercoaster of a fortnight. Did it really have to end? But now the last set of glittering medals have been presented and the final curtain has come down on this equine extravaganza, we thought it was time to re-live some of WEG’s golden moments one more time…

1. Clinched it!

Ros Canter and Allstar B showjumped clear to secure Great Britain’s team gold medal. Minutes later, Ros also claimed the individual title

2. Sterling work

Lee Pearson and Natasha Baker celebrate team silver for Great Britain in the para dressage

3. Making a splash

Australia’s Boyd Exell makes a splash as he scores his third successive individual WEG gold medal

4. Back in the medals

Charlotte Dujardin shows her sheer delight in securing individual and team bronze with the nine-year-old Mount St John Freestyle

5. A class act

Championship debutantes Amanda Derbyshire and Luibanta BH prove best of the British showjumpers, finishing 17th individually

6. Reining it in

Francesca Sternberg and Spook N Sparkle fly the British flag in the reining

7. Gold!

The USA’s anchorman McLain Ward seals the deal in the most nerve-wracking of jump-offs to claim showjumping team gold for the host nation

8. Thank you to the equine superstars

Britain’s double gold medallist Sophie Wells and groom Lewis Coppin praise C Fatal Attraction after a top performance in the para dressage

9. Golden girl

Isabell Werth’s 14-year-old Bella Rose, off injured since 2014, repays her rider’s faith in her with two gold medals shortly after her return to competition

10. Team selfies

The Dutch para dressage riders celebrate their historic gold

11. Balancing act

Germany’s vaulting squad successfully defend gold with a magical performance

12. Storming to victory

Gemma Tattersall celebrates a cracking cross-country round on Arctic Soul as the British team gold medal-winning pathfinders

13. High five

Chester Weber celebrates finishing the cones phase en route to helping USA secure team gold in the driving for the first time

14. ‘She’s all you could wish for’

The newly crowned showjumping world champion Simone Blum of Germany, pays tribute to her mare DSP Alice, who didn’t hit a pole in four days of championship jumping

15. Flying the flag

Great Britain’s Tom McEwen, Gemma Tattersall, Ros Canter and Piggy French adorned in their glorious gold medals

16. Making history

Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky move up the leaderboard to take the individual and team silver — providing his country with its first senior medal in 23 years

17. We did it!

Summing up everything it means to jump clear for your country, Colombia’s Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (Admara) celebrates his ascent from 26th — as a last minute substitute to the individual jumping final — to finish fifth

Don’t miss the latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (dated 27 September), for all the news and features from the second week of the World Equestrian Games action from Tryon, USA

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Belgian rider Bernard Fonck made history by becoming the first European to win world reining gold, taking the title in Tryon on Saturday (15 September).

Bernard and Gina de Pauw and Steve Vannietvelt’s American quarter horse stallion What A Wave scored 227 in the Johnson Controls individual final at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) to take the victory.

“This is the first time in history a European rider leaves WEG with the individual gold medal and I could not be any prouder,” said Fonck. “What A Wave is the sweetest horse I have ever had the pleasure of riding. I am very fortunate to have had more than one ‘once in a lifetime’ horse, and he is at the top of this list.

“Every time we show, he gives me all he has and every time it gets better and better. When I came here I knew that we could probably make it to the top five positions but I would never have imagined that we would claim the gold.”

The US’s Dan Huss took silver on eight-year-old Ms Dreamy, who also made history as the first mare to win an individual WEG reining medal.

“Mares are a little more sensitive so you have to be very good as far as technique and horsemanship are concerned,” said Dan. “They are not so forgiving but if you understand them, your better mares will step up and compete with the boys. [Ms Dreamy has] probably taught me more than I’ve taught her, and it’s been a great experience.”

A run-off determined the bronze medal as the US’s Cade McCutcheon, on Custom Made Gun, and Brazilian Joao Felipe Lacerda aboard Gunner Dun It Again both scored 225.

Joao came back in to record 227, his highest score of the Games, but 18-year-old Cade and seven-year-old Custom Made Gun reached 228 to take the medal.

Continues below…

‘I’m so proud’: British rider records personal best in Tryon

The combination’s seventh-place finish was just not enough to qualify for the individual final

British hopes high as rider progresses to second round at WEG

One of the two British riders has progressed in Tryon

Time set for showjumping phase of WEG eventing; find out when Brits will jump

The time has been decided for the final phase of the WEG eventing competition, which had to be postponed due

“I was a little disappointed with myself after my first ride so I let him catch his breath and, when we went back in, I tried to perform a cleaner run,” said Cade.

“He was incredibly good for me and I am thrilled to have represented my country and to have won the team gold and individual bronze medals. I could not have done this without my team, my coach and my family and I still cannot believe that I made it to the podium. It will take a while before it sinks in!”

Britain’s Francesca Sternberg and Spook N Sparkle missed out on qualifying for the final by two places, while Alison Bucknell and her own Jac Barbee Dream had also competed in the first round of competition, finishing in 54^th place.

In the team competition, the US won gold, Belgium took silver and Germany the bronze medals.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A British rider and a horse whose heart is “the size of the arena” pulled out all the stops to record a personal best in yesterday’s (13 September) reining competition at the World Equestrian Games, but it was just not enough to progress.

Francesca Sternberg, from Kent, and Rosanne Sternberg’s Spook N Sparkle had qualified for the second individual qualifying round of the Johnson Controls reining competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center by finishing in 26th place in the first round.

Tenth into the arena, the combination gave a performance good enough for a personal best final score of 220. They finished in joint seventh place, but only the top five qualified for Saturday’s final, along with the top 15 from the previous day.

But Francesca was delighted with eight-year-old palomino gelding “Charlie”.

“It was Charlie’s personal best and I am so proud,” she said. “I haven’t ridden this horse for two years as he’s my sisters’ horse and my niece competes him so I am extremely grateful to them for lending him.

“He’s probably one of the smallest horses here so to have to go twice in two days, his little legs really had to try. His heart is the size of this arena and I want to take him home to England and keep him for ever!”

Fellow British reiner Alison Bucknell and her own Jac Barbee Dream had also competed in the first round, finishing in 54th place.

Continues below…

Charlotte Dujardin clinches brilliant dressage bronze for Britain at WEG

Germany maintain their golden run, with the USA claiming silver and Britain securing bronze

Riders react to WEG cross-country course: ‘A real championship question; it’ll ride tough’

Competitors including Mark Todd, Gemma Tattersall and Chris Burton give their first impressions of the World Equestrian Games cross-country track

WEG competition cancelled due to extreme weather

High humidity after heavy rain forced cancellation of the competition today

The reining finalists now have a rest day before the individual final on Saturday, when the medals will be decided.

In the team competition, the US won gold, Belgium took silver and Germany the bronze medals.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A British rider has progressed into the second round of the Johnson Controls reining competition at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

Francesca Sternberg and Rosanne Sternberg’s Spook N Sparkle finished on a score of 218.5 in yesterday’s (12 September) first round at Tryon International Equestrian Center.

This was good enough for 26th place, which means the combination will take part in today’s second individual qualifying round.

“It was a fantastic experience,” Francesca said. “It was a very, very big pen for a very small horse and a small rider so it was like the desert for us out there!

“There has been a British representative at every single World Equestrian Games and me and Alison [Bucknell] wanted to fly the flag so it was an honour to go out there today with ‘Charlie’.”

This is a third WEG for Francesca, who finished in individual fifth place in 2002 on Chuka Chic, 11th on Just Gotta Shine in 2006 and 23rd on Ten Reasons in 2014. She has also represented Great Britain at two European Championships, in 2015 and 2017, finishing in team and individual fourth place in 2015 with Ten Reasons.

Alison and her own Jac Barbee Dream finished yesterday’s competition on a score of 209, and 54th place, which meant they did not go forward to today’s round.

Article continues below…

It’s reining men: World Championship aim as star Brits take on new discipline

World, Paralympic and European medallist Ricky Balshaw (pictured) is coming out of retirement to take on the new discipline along

WEG competition cancelled due to extreme weather

High humidity after heavy rain forced cancellation of the competition today

WEG team respond to Hurricane Florence threat: ‘We can keep horses and people safe’ — but competition could be delayed

The organisers are confident in their ability to keep horses and people safe at Tryon, but competition may have to

Alison said: “I’ve got quite a small horse and I think he found it quite tricky in there as it was a huge arena, but he tried his heart out and he gave me everything he had. I couldn’t be more pleased with him.”

It is a first WEG for Alison, who also represented Britain on Jac Barbee Dream in last year’s European Championships.

The individual reining final takes place on Saturday, when the medals will be awarded. In yesterday’s team competition, the US retained the gold, while Belgium won their third world silver and it was a first reining medal for Germany, which took bronze.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Team GBR is sending two individuals to compete in the reining at the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG).

Alison Bucknell, who made her senior team debut at last year’s European Championships, will ride her own Jac Barbee Dream.

The Gloucestershire-based rider has a host of top-10 international results with the nine-year-old stallion, who she has been competing on the European circuit for the past two years.

She is joined by seasoned campaigner Francesca Sternberg, for whom this will be a sixth senior championship appearance.

Francesca, from Kent, is selected on her own Chic Filay or Rosanne Sternberg’s Spook N Sparkle.

Francesca picked up a host of top results at the Bodiam CRI3* in May, including a win as well as second and fourth placings aboard horses not listed for WEG.

Article continues below…

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British Reining does not receive funding from the British Equestrian Federation. But Tryon International Equestrian Center will pay a trucking allowance for all horses resident in North America and qualified to compete at the Games.

Jac Barbee Dream will fly out to the States, while both horses that Francesca has been selected on are based in the US — Spook N Sparkle, an eight-year-old palomino, has not yet been campaigned internationally by Francesca, but has finished in the top 10 at all bar one of his 11 international starts.

Chic Filay has competed at one international, in Texas in April 2017 with Francesca in the saddle.

“Although we don’t have a full team this year, I am really excited about the riders we are sending to WEG in Tryon,” said reining chef d’equipe Doug Allen.

“Francesca has been to every WEG since 2002 so has a great wealth of experience and Alison competed in Switzerland last year on the British team at the European Reining Championships.

“They are both riding tried, tested and talented horses, so I feel Great Britain will be well represented.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

As we countdown to the FEI World Equestrian Games, we bring you all you need to know about each of the equestrian sports.

What does it involve?

Reining is fast-paced and adrenalin pumping. It shows off the athletic ability and movements commonly used by ranch-type horses who are used to work cattle.

At WEG, each rider has to ride one of 10 approved patterns in an arena. A pattern in reining is similar to a test in dressage. There are around seven movements that must be shown including 360-degree spins, sliding stops, flying changes, small and slow canter circles plus bigger, faster canter circles. Riders only have one hand on the rein and the contact is loose — their seat does the majority of the work — and each movement must be smooth, controlled and have finesse.

Riders wear true cowboy attire and the crowd is encouraged to cheer them on.

What’s the format?

There is a team contest as well as an individual one. The team competition takes place on 12 September. The first round of the individual competition is being held on 13 September, with the final individual competition on 15 September. Individual medals are awarded on 15 September.

How does the scoring work?

There is a panel of five judges for each stage of the competition but only three of the marks count. The judge who awards the highest mark and the judge who awards the lowest are both discarded — ie only the middle three marks count.

Teams are made up of a maximum four riders or a minimum of three. The total score for each nation’s top three riders over both rounds makes up the final mark. The country with the highest score wins.

How many medals are there and when are they awarded?

Two. Team medals are awarded on 12 September and the individual champion is crowned on 15 September.

Who’s representing Britain?

Details of the British squad will be added here once the information has been made available.

Do they have a chance?

Britain is unlikely to be in contention for a medal. This is a world contest and America is likely to be the favourite with Canada, Italy, Germany and Belgium also fielding strong teams. Only a quarter of the starting field will qualify for the individual contest, though, and if a British rider qualifies for that it will be a great achievement.

When will H&H report it?

H&H’s WEG reports will run in 20 and 27 September issues of the magazine.

We will also carry reports, pictures and video online throughout the competition. Find all our online WEG coverage here >>

For an early look at the WEG venue, turn to p34 of 18 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine. The full WEG preview will be on sale on Thursday 6 September.

It was a one-two-three for Team USA in the individual final of the reining at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which went to the wire with Shawn Flarida posting the winning score of 233.5 from the final draw.

Riding the seven year-old stallion Spooks Gotta Whiz, Shawn, 45, who has won more than $5m in prize money during his career, showed great poise to gain consistently high scores across the judging panel.

The pattern began with a rundown through the centre of the arena from the tunnel, into a sliding stop, and he was fluent when others had made errors. Other highlights were his circles and lead changes, Spooks Gotta Whiz remaining balanced and accurate throughout.

Their run was immediately preceded by an impressive performance from teammate Andrea Fappani and Custom Cash Advance for a score of 229 and the silver medal, gaining maximum plus-1.5 scores for circles and stops.

Shawn Flarida said: “I was under a lot of pressure with Andrea scoring so well, but I knew I had the horse to do it. It was so loud in the arena that I don’t think he heard any of my verbal commands. Luckily he’s the sort of horse that seems to know when it’s a big event and rises to the occasion.”

Andrea added: “Shawn and I are very good friends and I always knew he had the potential to beat me, but I couldn’t be more pleased with my horse. I have only competed him four times and he has scored higher on each occasion.”

Mandy McCutcheon took the bronze medal with Yellow Jersey, her scores rising as the pattern progressed, with a stunning series of sliding stops to finish. She was the first female rider and non-pro (amateur) to be selected for the USA team, and is the daughter of Tim McQuay, team gold medallist in Kentucky. Her husband Tom McCutcheon also rode in the final.

“I wouldn’t be here without the backing of my family who purchased Yellow Jersey last autumn, and after many years supporting my husband at international events, it is wonderful to have him here for me,” she said.

Germany’s Grischa Ludwig missed out on a medal by just one point after a great run with Ruf Tuf Juice, brought in at the last minute as a substitute horse after his usual mount was injured.

Great Britain’s Josh Collins finished 15th on Spook A Little (pictured right), recovering from a disappointing first stop to score well for his spins and circles.

“I’d hoped to do better in the final,” he said, “But he got lit up by crowd noise and didn’t stop well the first time which brought the marks down. He was a great horse to come back to me so well for the rest of the run.”

Individual reining results

Gold: Shawn Flarida and Spooks Gotta Whiz (USA) 233.5

Silver: Andrea Fappani and Custom Cash Advance (USA) 229

Bronze: Mandy McCutcheon and Yellow Jersey (USA) 227

15th: Josh Collins and Spook A Little (GBR) 218.5

For full report on all the reining action at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, see H&H magazine, on sale Thursday 4 September

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Great Britain’s Josh Collins is through to the individual final in the reining at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Josh, 24, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, produced a storming run from Spook A Little in the second individual qualifier to score 218.

The consolation round, which allowed the riders in 16^th-35^th place after the first rounds to compete for a place in Saturday’s final, used a different pattern (test) from that ridden in the team event.

This allowed Josh to showcase Spook A Little’s powerful, precise spins to best advantage, and he scored plus-ones for this manoeuvre in both directions. Accurate lead changes and strong sliding stops kept the marks up to put him just two points behind the USA’s Troy Heikes, who won this round, and took him into the final.

“The plan was to score as well as in this round as we did in the team event and now I aim to really go for it in the final,” said Josh.

Also qualifying for the final are Canada’s Cody Sapergia, Italy’s Stefano Ferri, and by tying on a score of 216.5, both France’s Romuald Poard and Brazil’s Paulo Koury Neto.

In seventh place, Britain’s Doug Allen missed out on a place in the final by a whisker, improving on his first round score with six-year-old Hangten Shiner.

Francesca Sternberg and Jessica Sternberg also acquitted themselves well in this highly competitive round, where there were just 10 marks between first and 21^st place.

Watch H&H’s video interview with Jessica

Chef d’equipe Adam Heaton said: “Josh put in a brilliant performance for a great score and the whole team is elated. Doug was really unlucky to be edged out of a place in the final on a really exciting young horse, which has a lot more to come.”

Second qualifying competition results

1. Troy Heikes (USA) – Lil Gun Dunit 220

2. Cody Sapergia (Canada) – Nu Chexomatic 219

3. Josh Collins (Great Britain) – Spook A Little 218

4. Stefano Ferri (Italy) – Rooster Nic 217

=5. Paulo Koury Neto (Brazil) – Don’t Whiz WRB 216.5

=5. Romuald Poard (France) – Peppys Ruf Sailor 216.5

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Action from the second individual qualifying round of the reining competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which is being held in Caen Exhibition Centre. One British rider has qualified for the individual final after Team GBR finished in eighth place in the team competition.

Reining reports and videos

WEG reining: Josh Collins flies the British flag

Good news for Britain from Caen Exhibition Centre as Josh Collins qualifies for the individual reining final

WEG reining: Jessica Sternberg talks to H&H [VIDEO]

H&H caught up with 24-year-old reiner Jessica Sternberg after her ride at Caen Exhibition Centre

WEG team reining: USA continue to dominate

Jane Carley reports from Normandy where Team USA continue to dominate, while Team GBR slip down to eighth place

British reiners sit fifth overnight at WEG

Jane Carley reports from the first day of the reining competition in Normandy

British reiners give WEG venue the thumbs up

British reiners gave the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the thumbs up on day one of competition

WEG reining: four horses ruled out at trot-up

All five of the British horses go forwards to the first two days of the reining competition, reports Jane Carley

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Jane Carley brings you all the news from the second and final day of the team reining competition in Normandy

The United States of America has continued its run of back to back victories in the reining at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) with an emphatic win over Belgium and Austria, silver and bronze medallists respectively.

Team debutante Mandy McCutcheon kicked off the USA’s red-letter day with a score of 224 on Yellow Jersey, equalling that gained by Andrea Fappani on Monday.

Mandy, the first female and the first non-pro (amateur) to make the American reining team, is the daughter of 2010 team gold medallist Tim McQuay. Yellow Jersey was recently purchased by her family to join their breeding programme.

Team USA was already in an unassailable position when Shawn Flarida, who has been a member of the victorious squad each time that reining has been held at the games, entered the arena on Spooks Gotta Whiz. He scored plus-one credits from at least one of the five judges for every manoeuvre and the maximum plus-1.5 for circles and spins. He goes into the individual final on Saturday as the highest overall scorer with a 229.5.

Belgium had also enjoyed a strong start, and despite minor mistakes which led to penalties for the spins and lead changes, Cira Baeck and Colonels Shining Gun scored 221 to keep their country on track. Bernard Fonck also clocked up a couple of penalties on the hugely experienced Sail on Top Whizard, but the overall quality of their run was good enough for a 219.5, securing the silver medal.

Austria improved one place on its Kentucky 2010 result to take bronze, after a disappointing first day. Rudi Kronsteiner produced a good run from Dr Lee Hook, again making up for penalties with powerful sliding stops to score 220, before USA-based compatriot Martin Muhlstatter stormed to a 224, also gaining credit for his stops.

Acknowledging the strength of the other teams on the podium, Shawn Flarida said: “The result here shows just how far our industry has come. We see higher and higher standards every time we come to Europe and this makes it harder to win gold. WEG is like no other competition and it gives us such a thrill.”

Great Britain slipped to eighth place

overall, despite strong runs by Doug Allen (Hangten Shiner) and Francesca Sternberg (Ten Reasons, pictured right), who both scored 214.5. Their scores were good enough to take them to Thursday’s second qualifier for a place in the final on Saturday. Jessica Sternberg and Josh Collins, who competed on Monday also both made the cut.

There was disappointment for British individual Shane Borland when Chex N Flashy was unnerved by the atmosphere and failed to deliver his usual form. Shane does not progress to the second qualifier.

Chef d’equipe Adam Heaton said: “We knew we could end up anywhere from fourth to 10th, depending on how the other teams performed. My goal was to have two riders through to the second qualifier so I’m delighted that four will take part on Thursday.”

Team reining results

Gold: USA (Shawn Flarida, Andrea Fappani, Mandy McCutcheon, Jordan Larson) 677.5

Silver: Belgium (A Poels Fonck, B Fonck, C Baeck, P Mestdagh) 663

Bronze: Austria (R Kronsteiner, M Muhlstatter, T Kunstner-Mantl, M Morawitz) 658.5

Eighth: Great Britain (D Allen, F Sternberg, J Sternberg, J Collins) 645

More reining news from WEG

British reiners sit fifth overnight at WEG

Jane Carley reports from the first day of the reining competition in Normandy

British reiners give WEG venue the thumbs up

British reiners gave the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the thumbs up on day one of competition

WEG reining: four horses ruled out at trot-up

All five of the British horses go forwards to the first two days of the reining competition, reports Jane Carley

Bluffers’ guide to reining at WEG

Horse & Hound explains all you need to know to enjoy the reining in Normandy

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Great Britain is in fifth place at the halfway stage in the reining team competition at the FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG) after two solid runs from team debutantes Josh Collins and Jessica Sternberg (pictured top).

From an early draw, Josh Collins and Spook A Little gained plus scores on spins and circles before the 24-year-old gestured to the enthusiastic crowd to cheer even louder. They responded, urging him on to a big final sliding stop for a score of 216, which put him in individual 10th place overnight.

“My horse is good in every manoeuvre and I knew if he went as well here as he does in training, he would score well. This is a fantastic opportunity – I was determined to enjoy it and the audience support is fantastic,” said Josh.

Jessica Sternberg conjured a good performance from Smart Like Valentino, also scoring well on spins and circles, before a couple of tricky rundowns dropped her score down a notch, to 213.

“My own horse was injured just before the Games so I am lucky to have been offered Smart Like Valentino by my aunt Francesca (Sternberg),” Jessica explained. “I haven’t competed him since he was four, and the older horses can start to anticipate the rundowns, so we had a slight miscommunication.”

Top teams after day one

America is leading the team competition after each nation fielded two riders, with blistering runs from Andrea Fappani and Jordan Larson.

Italian-born Andrea Fappani, riding for his adopted nation for the first time, produced an incredible turn of foot on the large circles from Custom Cash Advance, prompting a maximum 1.5 score from one judge. There was some hesitation in the rundowns, but it was good enough to score 224 to lead the individual rankings.

“I have had very few outings on this horse and have been taking time to get to know him. He is very honest and my aim today was to maximise on his good points.”

Snapping at his heels, Ann Poels took Belgium to the silver medal position with some beautifully judged fast and slow circles and bold rundowns to big sliding stops for a score of 222.5 and individual second place overnight.

Germany lies in the bronze medal slot, just one point ahead of Australia in fourth.

Remaining British team members, husband and wife Doug Allen and Francesca Sternberg ride tomorrow morning and afternoon respectively, while individual Shane Borland also competes tomorrow afternoon.

This is the fourth time that reining has been part of WEG, attracting 82 entries from 24 nations, and drew the biggest crowd for the team competition to date. Newcomers to the discipline are struck by the wall of noisy cheers throughout each run from more seasoned spectators, which is anticipated and encouraged by the competitors.

More reining from WEG

Bluffers’ guide to reining at WEG

Horse & Hound explains all you need to know to enjoy the reining in Normandy

British reiners give WEG venue the thumbs up

British reiners gave the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the thumbs up on day one of competition

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British reiners gave the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the thumbs up on day one of competition (Monday 25 August).

“This is by far the biggest stage we’ve ever competed on — the scale is something else, it’s what you dream of,” said Josh Collins, who posted a score of 216 this morning with Spook a Little (pictured top).

“The organisation and everything has been fantastic and the ground is as good as any you’ll find. It’s great to be here.

“My horse was fantastic; I couldn’t be happier; this is a perfect start. I’m hoping it’s enough to make the finals.”

Jessica Sternberg rode Sterling Quarter Horses’ Smart Like Valentino this afternoon to score 213.

“It’s been a tough ride to get here; Smart Like Valentino is an old show horse who has been there and done that and he gave me a challenging time in there today. I haven’t shown him since he was a four-year-old so I didn’t really know what to expect,” she said.

“My top horse, Shiners Chic got hurt a few days before we left so I’m just grateful to Francesca [Sternberg] for the chance to show at all. Shiners Chic has been the defining horse of my career — we’ve won over $80,000 together — so it was disappointing to have to leave him at home.

“It’s just been brilliant to ride at WEG though, the atmosphere, the crowd. It’s all been amazing.”

The remaining Brits, Francesca Sternberg (Ten Reasons), Doug Allen (Hangten Shiner) and Shane Borland (Chex N Flashy), will compete tomorrow (Tuesday 26 August).

There were 89 competitors taking part in the reining in Normandy but four were eliminated at the trot up yesterday (Sunday 24 August).

The team competition and individual qualifying rounds take part today and tomorrow (Tuesday 26 August). The second individual qualifying competition takes place Thursday (28 August) while the final is held on Saturday (30 August).

Reining news from WEG

WEG reining: four horses ruled out at trot-up

All five of the British horses go forwards to the first two days of the reining competition, reports Jane Carley

Bluffers’ guide to reining at WEG

Horse & Hound explains all you need to know to enjoy the reining in Normandy

Reining squad announced for World Equestrian Games

3 members of the same family will be competing in the reining at the World Equestrian Games

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Team GBR goes into the reining at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France with its largest ever contingent of horses and riders after all their horses passed the trot-up on Sunday 24 August.

The team of Doug Allen, Francesca Sternberg, Jessica Sternberg and Josh Collins, plus individual Shane Borland, will compete on Monday (25 August) and Tuesday (26 August) when team honours will be decided and the first slots for the individual final claimed.

The trot-up is held on a hard surface overlaid with a thin layer of sand to help the horses grip, as they are shod with special ‘sliding plates’ on their hind feet, designed to enhance reining’s ‘sliding stop’ manoeuvre.

Four horses ruled out

Four horses were eliminated at this stage, including Sweden Rocks Gopher (Isabell Silverstolpe) and Mister Sure Whiz (Fredrik Thomsson). This leaves Sweden with just three team members after their reserve horse was ruled out earlier by injury. All three Swedish scores must now count towards the team competition, which is judged on the best three from a maximum four starters from each country.

Also spun by the reining ground jury and taking their team down to three was Lil Uss Peppy (Susanne Skovrinder) for Denmark.

Italy’s PC Sliderina For Me (Manuel Cortesi) was the final horse to fail the trot-up. However, as the Italians have six horses and riders entered, they will still be able to field a full team of four, plus an individual.

British order of go

Josh Collins (Spook A Little) and Jessica Sternberg (Smart Like Valentino) will be the pathfinders for Team GBR on Monday, with Francesca Sternberg (Ten Reasons), Doug Allen (Hangten Shiner) and Shane Borland (Chex N Flashy) competing on Tuesday.

Chef d’equipe Adam Heaton said: “We have five very capable horse and rider combinations and potentially five finalists, although it’s even more competitive this year with more entrants and just 20 going into the individual final. The riders and their support team have worked exceptionally well together to prepare these very talented horses for WEG.”

The United States are the favourites for the team competition, having won gold at the previous three WEGs at which reining has been an FEI discipline.

Bluffers’ guide to reining at WEG

Horse & Hound explains all you need to know to enjoy the reining in Normandy

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The reining squad that will represent Great Britain at this summer’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) has been announced and includes 3 members of the same family.

The team chosen by British Reining will see Jessica Sternberg, 24 competing alongside her aunt, Francesca Sternberg, and her uncle, Doug Allen, both team GB stalwarts.

The full squad has been named as:

• Doug Allen, 55, competing in his 4th WEG.
• Shane Borland, 42, from Stratford-upon-Avon, who competed in 2 previous World Games for South Africa.
• Josh Collins, 24, who has been selected for his first WEG.
• Francesca Sternberg, 51, who has been on all 3 previous WEG teams.
• Jessica Sternberg, 24, from Bodiham, East Sussex.

Doug Allen said: “In Lexington we used borrowed horses but with Normandy being so much closer to home we can take our own; we know our horses really well and will feel much more prepared and confident.”

Will Connell, chef de mission said, “The squad is underpinned by the huge depth of experience of Francesca and Doug and it’s great to see 3 athletes making their debut for GBR at a World Championships.”

The reining competition at WEG takes place on 25-30 August in Caen.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now