News
British riders showcase future stars at the 2026 WBFSH World Breeding Championships
- Written By: British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
- Published: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:00
British combinations produced a series of standout performances at the WBFSH World Breeding Championships (5 – 9 August), highlighted by Charlotte Dujardin's victory in the seven-year-old qualifier and a podium finish in the final.
Charlotte Dujardin headlined the seven-year-old qualifier competition on Friday, taking the win aboard her own Secret Agent (Secret x DeNiro) on 80.645%. Presenting in front of judges Peter Storr (C – GBR), Elke Ebert (C – GER), Frederico Pinteus (E – POR), Agnieszka Majewska (H – POL), and Mats Eriksson (B – SWE). In their technical mark, the duo scored 76.607% and 73.571% from the judges at H and B, and earned a standout 86.200% for quality by the judges at C and E.
In Sunday's final, the pair improved again, producing a personal best of 83.115% to finish second, just 0.314% behind the winners. This time they competed under judges Elke Ebert (C – GER), Monique Puetz-Vegter (C – NED), Alice Schwab (E – POL), Juan Carlos Campos (H – ESP) and Hand Voser (B – SUI), where they completed on a quality mark of 89.800% and scored 74.857% (H) and 78.000% (B) for their technical execution. For their quality marks, the pair’s sheet consisted largely of marks over nine, including a spectacular 9.6 for their trot, and 9.5’s for their canter and submission. Across both days, Charlotte delivered polished, harmonious performances that were rewarded by consistently high marks from the judging panel.
Alongside Charlotte, Phoebe Peters and Sadie Smith qualified for the finals with their two five-year-old rides. Phoebe, who was representing Great Britain aboard Reesink Stallions’ McMary NRW (McLaren x Ampere) finished fifth in the final competition on a personal best of 85.600%, having finished 12th in the qualifier on 81.600%. In the final, the pair scored an impressive 84.800% technical mark, earning a fantastic 9.8 for their trot, along with 8.6 for perspective and 8.4 for submission.
Sadie Smith was chosen to represent the Netherlands aboard Van Olst Horses’ Real Dream (Dynamic Dream x Negro), who finished in 15th position in the final on 73.800%, however had qualified from eighth position on 82.400% in the qualifying round. In the qualifier, Sadie and Real Dream had received a fantastic 82.400% technical mark, gaining a 9.0 for the canter and 8.3 for perspective.
In the six-year-old tests, Annabella Pidgley presented aboard Sarah Pidgley’s Flirtfaktor 3 (Furst Samarant x Sir Donnerhall I). Annabella produced a sympathetic and tactful test, helping Flirty through moments of tension despite a couple of costly mistakes, resulting in the pair receiving 8.5 for the trot work and 8.2 for the walk to finish on a final score of 78.600%. In the small final, the duo finished in eighth with 77.800% with strong marks for their trot work (8.6) and canter (8.0). Speaking on social media, Annabella explained that “Flirty was really on fire today and he really turned on when we entered the arena which led to some tensions and we couldn’t show our best quality work in the arena. For such a young horse, who has done one show this season, I am incredibly proud of how he has been the whole week. This enthusiasm which he brings makes me so excited to continue to develop him”.
The other rider to compete under the British flag at this year's Championships was Adrian Muñoz Jurado, who campaigned his British-bred ride Vitaliano (Vitalis x Dancier). The seven-year-old BHHS registered gelding, who is owned by Dr Monika and Wolfgang Wese and was bred by Grant McKerron, was unfortunately eliminated during his post-test tack check. Vitaliano’s owner, Dr Wolfgang Wese, commented:
“After our arrival on Wednesday, Vitaliano showed his best form under Adrian Munoz during training with our coach Ludwig Zierer, and we were extremely confident that we would be able to build on his international successes on the first day of the competition. Unfortunately, the horse appears to have cheated his stallion’s [wolf] tooth inexplicably during the night. We didn’t notice it either whilst feeding him or whilst putting the bridle on. During the warm-up and the show, Vitaliano felt unfocused and unsettled in the contact. For a horse that had been awarded marks of nine for rideability and responsiveness, this was highly unusual. During the routine vet check after the show, the steward found that the stallion’s tooth was sensitive to touch. Unfortunately, this led to his elimination. We are deeply dismayed. Nevertheless, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to British Dressage for selecting Vitaliano to take part in the Championships.”
Congratulations to Charlotte Dujardin and Secret Agent on their superb runner-up finish, as well as to Phoebe Peters, Annabella Pidgley and Sadie Smith for their strong performances throughout the Championships. These results reflect not only the skill and dedication of the riders, but also the invaluable contribution of the owners, breeders, grooms, trainers and wider support teams behind them. Their collective efforts continue to nurture the talented young horses that represent the future of British dressage, and we look forward to following their progress in the years ahead.
Results – top three and British contenders
Wednesday 5 August
First Qualification for Six-Year-Old Horses
1. Betina Jæger and Faustino G, 92.600% (DEN)
2. Merita Hagren and Dizzy, 89.200% (DEN)
3. Beatrice Arturi and Sir Gribaldi, 88.200% (GER)
20. Annabella Pidgley and Flirtfaktor 3, 78.600% (GBR)
Thursday 6 August
First Qualification for Five-Year-Old Horses
1. Kira Laura Soddemann and Einfach Imposant B, 89.000% (GER)
2. Ellen Richter and DSP Lord Löwenherz von Belliz, 87.800% (GER)
3. Alina Schneider and Weihe's Happiness OLD, 87.200% (GER)
8. Sadie Smith and Real Dream, 82.400% (NED)
12. Phoebe Peters and McMary NRW, 81.600% (GBR)
Small Final for Six-Year-Old Horses
1. Bart Veeze and Roman Empire, 86.200% (NED)
2. Sofie Lexner and Sundown, 84.800% (SWE)
3. Kirsten Brouwer and Pina Colada, 82.000% (NED)
8. Annabella Pidgley and Flirtfaktor 3, 77.800% (GBR)
Friday 7 August
First Qualification for Seven-Year-Old Horses
1. Charlotte Dujardin and Secret Agent, 80.645% (GBR)
2. Theresa Rosenkilde and Brandtbjergs Divya, 80.140% (DEN)
3. Tessa Kole and Odi Murona, 79.593% (NED)
Sunday 9 August
Final for Five-Year-Old Horses
1. Kira Laura Soddemann and Einfach Imposant B, 92.600% (GER)
2. Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Global Amour OLD, 89.400% (DEN)
3. Alina Schneider and Weihe's Happiness OLD, 85.800% (GER)
5. Phoebe Peters and McMary NRW, 84.800% (GBR)
15. Sadie Smith and Real Dream, 73.800% (NED)
Final for Seven-Year-Old Horses
1. Tessa Kole and Odi Murona, 83.429% (NED)
2. Charlotte Dujardin and Secret Agent, 83.115% (GBR)
3. Theresa Rosenkilde and Brandtbjergs Divya, 80.979% (DEN)
