News

British Equestrian announces para dressage nominated entries for FEI World Championships 2026

Thursday, 25 June 2026

British Equestrian and the British Dressage Para Selectors can today confirm the eight para dressage athlete and horse combinations that will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as our nominated entries for the FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2026, set to take place from 11–23 August in Aachen, Germany.

Nominated entries for the British Equestrian dressage team, in partnership with Agria, are listed by classification grade, then in alphabetical order by athlete surname:

Grade 1

• Mari Durward-Akhurst (32) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart’s Athene Lindebjerg (black, mare 19yrs, 17hh, Gribaldi x Diamant, breeder: Ulla and Kristian Bech DEN)

Grade 2

• Jemima Green (37) from Arlesford, Hampshire, with her own Fantabulous (chestnut, gelding, 8yrs, 16.1hh, Foundation 2 x Furst Romancier, breeder: Rainer and Angelika Alhers GER)

• Sir Lee Pearson (52) from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with Jenson Guest, David Pearson, Linda Pearson and his own Breezer (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, s. Barcardi, breeder: Sir Lee Pearson GBR)

Grade 3

• Erin Orford (37) from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, with Carl Hester, Anne Barrott, Rowena Luard and The Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Nutbush (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Negro x Sion, breeder: Mr A. Gregory GBR)

Grade 4

• Nicola Naylor (65) from Ashford, Kent, with Rosalind Emery Kay and her own Humberto L (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.2hh, Cachet L x Haarlem, breeder: J. Lamers NED) and her own Moulin Rouge (chestnut, mare, 9yrs, 16.2hh, Ferdinand x Dorado, breeder: P. Buwalda NED)

Grade 5

Sophie Wells (36) from Harby, Lincolnshire, with The Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (black, mare, 10yrs, 16.1hh, Blue Hors St Schrufo x I. P. S. Gribaldi, breeder: Anders Green Hansen DEN) and Emma Blundell’s MSJ Gold Standard (chestnut, mare, 10yrs, 16.2hh, Governer x Furstenball, breeder: Mount St John Equestrian LLP GBR)

At the time of release, the names of the travelling 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.