Lexington, Ky. — Four individual U.S. vaulters traveled to Opglabbeek, Belgium, to the 2026 FEI Vaulting World Cup Final™, with athletes competing across both the Technical and Free Test phases of competition from May 29-30, 2026. Kimberly Palmer and Tessa Divita represented the U.S. in the Individual Female division, while Jace Brooks and Daniel Janes competed in the Individual Male division.
The competition was held over two phases, with the Technical Test and Free Test each scored by a four-judge jury. In the Individual Female division, Germany's Alice Layher claimed first place overall, winning both the Technical Test (8.742) and the Free Test (9.168). France's Quentin Jabet topped the Individual Male Free Test with a 9.167, while Germany's Jannik Heiland had won the Technical Test with an 8.377.
Individual Female
Kimberly Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.), aboard Rosenstolz 99, a 2007 Rheinlander gelding (Rosencharmeur x Fidergirl), owned by Club Ippico Monzese A.S.D., under the care of lunger Laura Carnabuci, earned a total score of 8.071 in the Technical Test to finish third in a competitive eight-athlete field. Palmer's score was anchored by a 9.395 from judge Frederique Pitrou, the highest single judge mark awarded to any U.S. athlete across both tests, and a 9.036 from judge John Eccles, reflecting strong execution and consistency throughout the exercise. In the Free Test, Palmer posted an 8.360 to finish fourth, making her the highest-placed U.S. athlete at the event across both tests.
“The results aren’t always the most important part for me,” said Palmer of her experience competing at the FEI Vaulting World Cup Final. “It’s more about the feeling of the performance and being able to experience it with my special partner Rosenstolz, as well as the amazing team next to me.”
Tessa Divita (Portola Valley, Calif.), competing with Quantico, a 2014 Danish Warmblood gelding (Quiet Please x Chelsea), owned by Voltigeklubben Thommysminde, with lunger Lasse Kristensen, earned a 7.464 in the Technical Test to finish sixth. Divita's Technical Test featured a Score A of 8.294 alongside a Score A of 7.988 in the Free Test, where the pair posted a 7.796 to finish seventh.
Individual Male
Jace Brooks (Eagle Mountain, Utah), vaulting with lunger Jonathan Schumacher and horse Oslo vd Bisschop, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Joop III x Ilonga VD Bisschop), owned by Mortiz Wolf and Susanne Wunderle, earned a 7.341 in the Technical Test for sixth place. In the Free Test, the pair posted an overall score of 7.493 to finish in seventh.
Daniel Janes (Standwood, Wa.) competed with lunger Jana Leib aboard Caretes Auhoern, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Caretino 2 x Seres), owned by Jana Leib and Jacques Ferrari, earned a score of 7.102 in the technical Test for seventh place. In the Free Test, the duo posted an overall score of 8.084 to finish in sixth place.
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