VideoUS Equestrian on July 6 announced the combinations selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Squad for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championships hosted in Aachen, Germany, from Aug. 13-16.
The four team combinations and individual combination will be confirmed prior to the start of the championship. The squad will be led by chef d’equipe and high performance manager Leslie Law, alongside high performance advisor Karyn Shuter and team leader Christina Vaughn.
The following combinations have been selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships and are listed in alphabetical order.
Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Roulett M, by Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group, and cared for by Erin Jarboe
Direct Reserves: Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay, by ARD Ohio) owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, and Very Dignified, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Katey’s Gem, by Ricardo Z) owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen and Elizabeth Lendrum, both cared for by Erin Jarboe
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Possante, a 2013 KWPN gelding (Namelus R x Wendelien, by Otangelo) owned by The Possante Group, and cared for by Emma Yanek
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R. x Ballyshan Cleopatro, by Cobra) owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers, and cared for by Stephanie Simpson
Caroline Pamukcu (Springfield, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Doughiska Lass, by Kannan) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu and Deniz Pamukcu, and cared for by Chloe Teahan
Tamie Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Lillet 3, a 2016 Holsteiner mare (SIEC Livello x Princess L, by Calido I) owned by Molly and Jennifer Duda, and cared for by Savannah Gwin
The following combinations have been selected as alternates and are listed in alphabetical order.
Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pa.) and FE Lifestyle, a 2010 warmblood gelding owned by Tim and Nina Gardner
Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.) and Kapriccio, 2015 KWPN gelding owned by Helen and Hallie Coon
Tiana Coudray (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and D’Artagnan, a 2014 Holsteiner gelding owned by Kyrle Arscott, Tiana Coudray, and Annabelle James
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Denim, a 2015 Holsteiner gelding owned by Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites
Sydney Elliott (Hoffman, N.C.) and QC Diamantaire, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens
Emily Hamel (Aiken, S.C.) and Corvett, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding owned by Black Flag Option LLC
Allie Knowles (Lexington, Ky.) and Montpellier Scais, a 2017 Anglo European Sporthorse gelding owned by Katherine O’Brien
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Shanroe Cooley, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Dallas LLC
Competition Information
The 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships will be the highlight of international eventing competition on this year’s calendar and will be hosted during the first week of the FEI World Championships Aachen in Germany.
Competition will begin on Thursday, Aug. 13, with the first day of dressage beginning at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. EDT, followed by the second day of dressage on Friday, Aug. 14, also beginning at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. EDT.
Cross-country will begin at 9:15 a.m. GMT+2/3:15 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 15, before competition concludes on Aug. 16, awarding both team and individual medals following show jumping, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. GMT+2/6:30 a.m. EDT.