Aachen, Germany – The dressage phase of competition concluded for the Defender U.S. Eventing Squad at the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships Aachen, hosted in Aachen, Germany, from August 13-16, 2026. Three U.S. combinations competed Friday, with the final two team rides securing the U.S. standing of sixth place overnight before heading out onto the cross-country course Saturday morning.
“It’s Aachen. I think it's what we expected,” Chef d’Equipe Leslie Law said when commenting on tomorrow’s course. “It's technical and the riders are going to have to stay very focused and concentrated to keep horses on their lines. The time is gonna be very influential at the end of the day.”
Tamie Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Lillet 3, a 2016 Holsteiner mare (SIEC Livello x Calido I), owned by Molly and Jennifer Duda and cared for by Savannah Gwin, sit in eighth place individually on a score of 27.0, making them the highest-placed U.S. combination at the conclusion of dressage.
“She stayed with me every stride,” Smith said. “She's such a special mare and she tries so hard. She was just so with me, it felt amazing.”
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R. x Cobra), owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers and cared for by Stephanie Simpson made their way down the centerline this morning, earning at 30.9 from the ground jury to sit in 25th place. Will Coleman (Free Union, Va.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group and cared for by Erin Jarboe , were the last U.S. pair to enter into the stadium at Aachen, scoring a 30.0 to settle the pair in 21st place.
On Thursday, Caroline Pamukcu (Springfield, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Kannan)owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, and Deniz Pamukcu and cared for by Chloe Teahan, carried a 32.3 through to put them in 36th place. Not far behind them, Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Denim, a 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Dinken x Ibisco) owned by Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites and cared for by Emma Yanek, earned a score of 32.6 to sit in 38th place.
The Defender U.S.Eventing Squad ride times on Saturday, August 15:
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Phillip Dutton and Denim: 9:37 a.m. GMT+2 / 3:37 a.m. ET
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Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake - 10:55 a.m. GMT+2 / 4:55 a.m. ET
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Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker - 1:07 p.m. GMT+2 / 7:07 a.m. ET
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Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 - 2:31 p.m. GMT+2/ 8:31 a.m. ET
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Will Coleman and Diabolo, - 2:47 p.m. GMT+2/ 8:47 a.m. ET
Results
Dressage Results | Standings
Competition Information
The 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships Aachen will be the highlight of international eventing competition on this year’s calendar and will be hosted during the first week of the 2026 FEI World Championships Aachen. Competition will begin on Thursday, August 13, with the first day of dressage beginning at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. ET, followed by the second day of dressage on Friday, August 14, also beginning at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. ET. Cross-country will begin at 9:15 a.m. GMT+2/3:15 a.m. ET on Saturday, August 15, before competition concludes on August 16, awarding both team and individual medals following show jumping, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. GMT+2/6:30 a.m. ET.
Schedule | Watch | Results | US Equestrian’s Content Hub
The 2026 U.S. FEI Eventing World Championship Squad is generously supported by the Jacqueline B. Mars International Training & Competition Grant, awarded by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation.
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