British Equestrian announces dressage nominated entries for FEI World Championships 2026
Thursday, 25 June 2026
British Equestrian and the British Dressage Selectors can today confirm the eight dressage athlete and horse combinations that will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as our nominated entries for the FEI Dressage World Championship 2026, set to take place from 11–23 August in Aachen, Germany.
Nominated entries, listed in alphabetical order by athlete surname:
- Fiona Bigwood (50) from Haywards Heath, West Sussex with her own Donna Bella (chestnut, mare, 10yrs, 16.3hh, Don Juan de Hus x I. P. S. Gribaldi, breeder: Fiona Bigwood GBR)
- Charlotte Dujardin (40) from Newent, Gloucestershire, with Ellen McCarthy, Spencer McCarthy and Bridget McCarthy’s Brave Heart (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.1hh, Bordeaux 28 x Blue Hors Zack, breeders: Shirley and Titian Wilaras GER)
- Charlotte Fry (30) based in Den Hout, the Netherlands and originally from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, with Van Olst Horses and her own Glamourdale (black, stallion, 15yrs, 16.3hh, Lord Leatherdale x Negro, breeder: J. Rodenburg NED)
- Carl Hester (58) based in Newent Gloucestershire and originally from Sark, The Channel Islands, with Fiona Bigwood, Mette Dahl and his own Fame (bay, stallion, 16yrs, 16.2hh, Bordeaux 28 x Rhodium, breeder: V. O. F. G. oM. Gerritsen NED)
- Gareth Hughes (55) from Southam, Warwickshire, with Georgina Wilkinson, Rebecca Hughes and his own Mowgli-Olympia MC (chestnut, gelding, 9yrs, 17hh, s. Rousseau, breeder: M. Van Summeren NED)
- Becky Moody (46) from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with Jo Cooper and her own Jagerbomb (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 17.1hh, Dante Weltino OLD x Jazz, breeder: Becky Moody GBR)
- Susan Pape (63) from Hemmor, Germany, with Harmony Sporthorses and her own Harmony’s Giulilanta (chestnut, mare, 15yrs, 16.2hh, Broere Jazz x Flemmingh, breeders: A. Vogelaar and J. Knol GER)
- Sadie Smith (36) from Fareham, Hampshire, with her own Swanmore Dantina (dark bay, mare, 11yrs, 16hh, Dante Weltino x Charatan W, breeder: Ben St John James GBR)
At the time of release, the names of the grooms who will accompany the horses to Aachen have not been confirmed, but will be included in the final squad announcement.
Selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance. The selected squad of four combinations to travel to Aachen, plus non-travelling reserves, will be announced at a later date.
The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground.
British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Agria, Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek and Lotus Romeo. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams, which helps us to best prepare for senior championships.