TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published May 20, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has identified seven riders and eight horses for its Dressage Team Short List, beginning the final evaluation phase before the 2026 World Championships in Germany.
What Happened
The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the horse-and-rider combinations selected for The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team Short List. These athletes are primary contenders to represent the United States at the 2026 FEI Dressage World Championship, scheduled for August 10-15 in Aachen, Germany.
The short list features seven riders and eight horses. Over the next two months, these combinations will participate in designated observation events to assess their performance under pressure. Final team selection will be in July. The squad will be led by Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig and Team Leader Laura Roberts.
The short-listed combinations include:
- Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, FL) with Toronto Lightfoot
- Ashley Holzer (Wellington, FL) with Hawtins San Floriana
- Jordan LaPlaca (Ledyard, CT) with Gold Play
- Anna Marek (Williston, FL) with Fayvel
- Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, FL) with Heartbeat W.P.
- Christian Simonson (Ventura, CA) with two mounts: Fleau de Baian and Indian Rock
- Geñay Vaughn (Elk Grove, CA) with Gino
Why It Matters
This announcement is a pivotal moment for U.S. high-performance dressage, marking the "home stretch" of a multi-year preparation cycle. The World Championships occur every four years and are the most prestigious international dressage competition outside the Olympic Games.
Inclusion on this list provides specialized team support and increases performance pressure during observation events. For the U.S. equestrian community, the list balances veteran experience and rising talent. Kasey Perry-Glass and Ashley Holzer bring Olympic-level experience, while Christian Simonson’s inclusion with two horses highlights his current Grand Prix prominence.
Aachen, Germany, known as the "Mecca" of equestrian sport, hosts the event. This venue demands immense focus and stamina from horses and riders due to its atmosphere and high standard of international judging.
Discipline Context
This selection impacts the Grand Prix level of dressage, its highest echelon. The horses, aged 11 to 16 years old, demonstrate the specific window of peak performance required for a World Championship. Their diverse breeding, including Oldenburg, Dutch Warmblood (KWPN), and Hanoverian, reflects modern dressage's global nature. Managing these horses through the observation period is a test for support teams and grooms, as much as for the athletes.
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