Aachen, Germany – The U.S. Para Dressage Team, comprised of Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) riding Floratina; Fiona Howard (Boston, Mass.) and Diamond Dunes; Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) aboard Vianne; and Marie Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) on Fan Tastico H have won a thrilling team gold medal at the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championship on Saturday, August 22, in Aachen, Germany.
After four FEI Para Grand Prix B tests across Grades I through IV over two days, a final team score of 236.235 clinched gold for the team in the Allianz Park Stadium, the highest team score in FEI Para Dressage World Championship history.
“We all had high expectations, and I know that expectations don't always come to fruition, but this is just incredible,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline of the team’s performance. “It’s an amazing thing to be here on this incredible stage—the biggest stage in the world for equestrian athletes. For the team to perform as they did, and also set a record, is incredible. It takes a certain kind of village, and we have the best village in the world behind us.”
Shoemaker, a two-time U.S. Paralympian, clinched the gold medal as the final athlete in team competition. Her score of 80.460% for Grade IV was the highest individual total throughout team competition in Aachen. She and Vianne, a 2016 Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube) cared for by Jessica Martin-Legg, triggered an eruption of cheers from the stands during their final halt.
Smiling ear to ear before she even entered her final movements, Shoemaker reflected on her test, saying, “For me, what was most important coming here was the team. Being the last rider to go after the girls had already done their job and put us in a really good spot, I was able to go for it and take a few risks. That really paid off. I wanted to keep the same balance all the way around, because that's what we have been focused on all year; harmony and balance. I am really proud of my horse today.” ?
Grade II Paralympian Howard and her gold-medal-winning partner from Paris, Diamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De L’Or x Wolkentanz), owned by Dressage Family, LLC, and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Jacqueline Bohme, earned the team's second-highest score with 79.300%.
“I knew from the first lap around the outside of the arena that he was ready for this,” said Howard about her test. “He really just put his whole heart in there today, and I'm so proud of him and happy we could do this for the team. I think, as a team, we're all competitive, but we also really want each other to succeed. We all fought for this medal.”
Vonderheyden, a Grade I athlete, earned an individual gold medal earlier in the week, and doubled down with Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Furstenball OLD x Weltmeyer) cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo. Their team score was a personal best 76.375%.
“I tried to stay consistent each day all week, and here we are,” she said. “Fan Tastico was amazing. In our test yesterday, he did what I needed him to, and I just wanted to stay present and with him. I'm very proud of him.”
A five-time U.S. Paralympian and Grade III rider, Hart kept all team scores about 70% by posting a final score of 73.533. She rode her gold-medal-winning Paralympic mount from Paris, Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD), owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young.
When asked about para dressage being included as one of the six disciplines at the FEI World Championships Aachen, she responded, “One of the main things that we as para athletes try to recognize is that “para” doesn't actually refer to being paraplegic or disabled. It refers to being parallel to able-bodied sport. When we can highlight that at a huge championship and a venue this world-renowned, it can only benefit the future of our sport. And, for individuals with disabilities, being inspired helps them to understand that you do not have to let what the world would seem as limiting, limit you.”
Joining U.S. athletes on the podium, Germany finished on 229.875 for silver, and the Netherlands claimed bronze on 227.639.
Para dressage competition will conclude on Sunday, August 23, with all grades taking to the Allianz Prize Stadium for their FEI Grand Prix Para Freestyles. Grade III will kick off the final day of individual medals at 8:15 a.m. GMT+2/2:15 a.m. EST, with Grade II to follow at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. EST, and Grade I at 10:50 a.m. GMT+2/4:50 a.m. EST. Grade IV competition takes place at 1:30 p.m. GMT+2/7:30 a.m. EST, and Grade V will conclude the competition at 2:55 p.m. GMT+2/8:55 a.m. EST.
Competition Information
The 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships will be a pinnacle of international para dressage competition this season and will be hosted during the second week of the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
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