US Equestrian has announced the athletes and horses selected to the U.S. Jumping Team Short List ahead of the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championships Aachen, to be hosted in Aachen, Germany, from August 16-23, 2026. The Short List athletes and horses will compete across five different Observation Events before the final team selection in early July. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson.

The following athletes and horses will represent the U.S. Jumping Team as a part of the program’s Short List ahead of the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championships Aachen and are listed in alphabetical order.

Courtesy U.S. Equestrian Federation

Karl Cook*** (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) and Caracole de la Roque, a 2012 Selle Français mare (Zandor Z x Pocahontas d’Amaury), and Foxy de la Roque, a 2015 Selle Français mare (Armitages Boy x Kannan), both owned by Signe Ostby and cared for by Tessa Falanga and Grace Titus

Natalie Dean*** (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Mr. Boombastic, a 2014 Selle Français gelding (Vigo Cece x Sable Rose), and Pedro van de Barlebuis, a 2015 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Echo van’t Spieveld x Bioagrico Ohio van de Padenbo), both owned by Marigold Sport Horses, LLC and cared for by Luis Garcia

Katie DinanWCF (New York, N.Y.) and Out of the Blue SCF, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Verdi TN x San Patrignano Cassini), owned by Grant Road Partners LLC and cared for by Lou Beudin

Kent Farrington* (Wellington, Fla.) with Descartes SR, a 2017 CCDM gelding (Caramelo x Oklund), and Greya, a 2014 Oldenburg mare (Colestus x Contender), both owned by Kent Farrington, LLC; and Toulayna, a 2014 Zangersheide mare (Toulon x Parco) owned Rabbit Root Stables & Kent Farrington LLC, all cared for by Denise Moriarty

Laura Kraut* (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Baloutinue, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Balou du Rouet x Landor S) owned by St. Bride’s Farm; Bisquetta, a 2014 Zangersheide mare (Bisquet Balou C x Takashi van Berkenbroek) owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.; Dorado 212, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Diarado’s Boy x Chacco-Blue), and Tres Bien Z, a 2015 Zangersheide gelding (Toulon x Nabab de Reve), both owned by St. Bride’s Farm, and all cared for by Margo Thomas and Alex Tyler-Morris

Lillie Keenan* (New York, N.Y.) and Argan de Beliard, a 2010 Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago HN x Ahorn); Fasther, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer); and Kick On, a 2014 British Sport Horse stallion (Warrior x Caretino Glory), all owned by Chansonette Farm, LLC and cared for by Anna Halasz

Marilyn Little** (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Heidi von Imhoff, a 2015 Holsteiner mare (Christian 25 x AB 19 Chepetto) owned by Gameday Group LLC, and La Contessa, a 2015 Mecklenburger mare (License x Cornet’s Prniz) owned by Marilyn Little LLC; both cared for by Raven Alfieri

Callie Schott** (Wellington, Fla.) and Garant, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Warrant x Verdi TN) owned by Southern Arches LLC and cared for by Valdo Prado

Aaron Vale** (Williston, Fla.) and Carissimo 25, a 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello x Clinton) owned by The Carissimo Group and cared for by Nicky Cook

McLain Ward* (Brewster, N.Y.) and High Star Hero, a 2013 Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Zaza x Darco), and Jordan Molga M, a 2014 KWPN gelding (Etoulon VDL x HGT Dulf van den Bisschop), both owned by Michael Smith and cared for by Olga Kruglova and Caroline Holmberg

* Selected from the December 19, 2025 – Rolex/USEF Show Jumping “Average Ranking List”

** Selected from the April 3, 2026 – Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking “Horse List”

*** Discretionary Selection

WCF – Highest placed U.S. athlete within the top 10 at the World Cup Finals who has not already earned a spot on the Short List

Athletes and horses will compete in designated CSI/CSIO observation events including CSI5* Aachen, CSIO5* Rome, CSIO5* La Baule, CSIO5* St. Gallen, and LLN CSIO5* Rotterdam during the selection period.

Learn more about the U.S. Jumping Programs and USA Jumping Pathway here.