Aachen, Germany – The U.S. Para Dressage Team got off to a strong start at the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championship, hosted in Aachen, Germany, from August 17-23, 2026. Marie Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H (Fürstenball OLD x Weltmeyer), owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo, secured individual gold in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade I, to open competition.
“They are really starting to come together,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline in response to Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H’s day. “They are definitely on an upward trend and it’s lovely to see them getting a high score. Overall, we had a good day,” continued Assouline. “Sport is sport—you don’t always win everything. We have combinations with known horses and the progression varies a little bit from time to time.”
Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H have been partnered together for just over a year and are making their championship debut together in Aachen. The pair delivered a standout performance in their first test of the week, earning a 76.709% to rise to the top of the individual standings and secure the gold medal.
“I stayed organized in my head—it helps me be more accurate,” Vonderheyden reflected on her gold-medal-winning test. When asked about her relationship with Fan Tastico H, Marie replied, “He is a super nice person. And, yes, I say person because that’s what I feel with him. He is very super.”
Six-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Rowan O’Riley’s Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD) cared for by Mackenzie Young, were the first U.S. combination down centerline, competing in the Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade III. Hart and Floratina earned a 73.900%, finishing fourth in the individual standings.
The experienced combination arrived in Aachen with an impressive record, highlighted by three gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Returning to the world stage with Floratina made the moment particularly meaningful for Hart.
“The entire experience of representing our country again and going down the centerline with my partner is a magical moment,” said Hart.
Last in the ring today for the U.S. was Fiona Howard and the 2013 Hanoverian gelding Diamond Dunes (De L’Or x Wolkentanz), owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Jacqueline Bohme. With equally as impressive accolades as teammate Hart, Howard and Diamond Dunes put in a solid effort in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade II, scoring a 75.000% to land the pair in fourth place.
“He has risen to every challenge I have thrown at him,” Howard explained. “We didn’t have our best ride out there today, but I couldn’t fault this horse. He put his heart out there and I’m so proud of him.”
The U.S. Para Dressage Team continues with competition tomorrow with Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Vianne (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube), cared for by Jessica Martin-Legg, heading into the Allianz Park Stadium at 9:24 a.m. GMT+2/ 3:24 a.m. ET for their FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade IV.
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. Grades IV and V will enter the area for their first individual freestyle qualifier on Thursday, August 20, beginning at 9:00 a.m. GMT+2/3:00 a.m. EST.
The FEI Grand Prix Para Test B for Grades III, I, and II will start team competition on Friday, August 21, beginning at 9:00 a.m. GMT+2/3:00 a.m. EST, with Grades IV and V closing out competition to determine team medals on Saturday, August 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. GMT+2/2:30 a.m. EST.
Para dressage competition will conclude on Sunday, August 23, with all grades taking to the dressage court 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.
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