TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published July 7, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
The U.S. Para Dressage Team secured a major victory at the Hagen CPEDI3* in Germany, besting ten international teams and solidifying their status as world championship favorites.
What Happened
The U.S. Para Dressage Team achieved a significant international victory in July 2026, topping the podium at the Covalliero Dressage Days CPEDI3* held at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, Germany. The American squad finished with a final team score of 458.894, outperforming a highly competitive field of ten international teams, including the Netherlands, who took second place.
The victory in Germany capped off a successful early summer season for the program. In June, the team also posted dominant results at the Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI3* in Mill Spring, N.C., where they achieved a total score of 442.099 and celebrated several personal best performances. Earlier in April, the squad secured another podium-topping finish at the TerraNova CPEDI3* in Myakka City, Florida.
Under the leadership of Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Michel Assouline and Team Leader Laureen Johnson, the U.S. has utilized these competitions to solidify its roster of combinations, including veteran riders like Rebecca Hart, Kate Shoemaker, and Roxanne Trunnell.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Para Dressage program is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented depth and consistency. By winning on European soil against traditional powerhouses like the Netherlands, the U.S. has signaled that it is a primary contender for the upcoming FEI Para Dressage World Championships.
For the broader equestrian community, this success highlights the effectiveness of US Equestrian’s revised athlete development structure. The Para Dressage Pathway and Programs list, which was updated in May 2026, now recognizes 13 athletes across four distinct tiers (Elite, Pre-Elite, Development, and Emerging). This pipeline is designed to ensure that the U.S. not only stays competitive at the Paralympic level but also fosters new talent to sustain that success in the years to come.
Competition Context
The victory in Hagen is particularly noteworthy due to the venue. Hof Kasselmann is one of the most prestigious dressage facilities in the world, and winning a CPEDI3* there requires athletes to handle high-pressure environments typical of championship settings. These results serve as the final proof of form before major international assignments.
Looking further ahead, the FEI and the Organizing Committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games have already released the official timetables. Equestrian events in LA are scheduled to take place from August 16, 21, 2028. The current momentum of the U.S. team is critical as they build toward a home-soil Games.
Discipline Context
While the headlines are currently dominated by Para Dressage, US Equestrian is also moving forward with development in other international disciplines. Bid applications have officially opened for the 2027 USEF Combined Driving National Championships, and the federation recently held deadlines for the Developing Program and FEI World Championship applications for Four-in-Hand and Single horses. This indicates a broad push by the governing body to strengthen U.S. performance across all non-Olympic and Paralympic disciplines through the late 2020s.
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