News
World Championship debuts bring home double medals
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:29
Britain’s para riders take two medals on the first day of the para dressage competition at the FEI World Championships in Aachen.
(C) Jon Stroud Media / British Equestrian
It was the individual Grand Prix A that kicked off proceedings for the para dressage and first up for Britain was Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg in the Grade I competition. This duo are no strangers to being on the international stage; this is Athene's sixth Championship, having won 12 medals across three different riders going into this competition. It is Mari’s first World Championships with the 19-year-old mare, having won double bronze at last year’s FEI European Championships and individual bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The combination produced a consistent and accurate test, impressing judges E - Kristi Wysocki (USA), H - Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), C - Marc Urban (BEL), M - Anne Prain (FRA) and B - Kjell Myhre (NOR), to award a final score of 74.542%. Athene Lindebjerg, owned by Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart, showed off her exceptional walk, with one of their other highlights being a super halt which scored a 9 from one of judges.
"She was amazing", Mari commented, "everything that we have been working really hard on came off in the test, so I'm delighted. Everything came together just at the right time, and she was really hot out here when she saw the big screen but she kept a lid on it and felt really up for it, which it's really hard to get her there unless there's a big atmosphere: the bigger the atmosphere the more up she is for it, and she is easier to ride."
When asked about her 'game plan' for her ride, Mari explained that "We were going for bold! I've worked really hard with a psychologist on going in and owning Grand Prix A because I find it harder than B... we definitely went in bold and hopefully for our next test we will have even more to give."
Furthermore, when reflecting on her first experience at the World Championships, "It's really special... she's [Athene] 19 now so we aren't sure what the future, and I've had so much pressure everywhere I have gone with her to deliver because somebody else had, and this is our story, so it just makes it unique. She's such an incredible mare, so I'm really pleased that she is now a World Championship horse as well to add to all her other [achievements]."
It was the USA's Marie Vonderheyden, who was also celebrating her birthday today, and Fan Tastico H who won the gold medal scoring 76.709%, with Italian combination Sara Morganti and Bond Girl 18 in bronze medal position, just 0.083% behind Mari on 74.459%.
Following the Grade I competition was the Grade II, and British rider Jemima Green with her own Fantabulous (pictured), who were hoping to replicate the success they achieved at last year’s FEI European Para Dressage Championships where they won double bronze.
Jemima and ‘Fanta’ scored an incredible 75.241%, achieving a new personal best at the World Championships in Aachen. The pair showed off their super partnership with Fanta's fantastic active walk and trot work, fluent transitions and accurate riding. Their leg yields showed super crossing and accuracy and their medium trot steps showed a good amount of ground cover and expression. A real highlight of their test was the walk stretch, which showed clear over-track, swing and relaxation.
The score put them at the top of the leaderboard at that point of the competition; however, Jemima had a nervy wait for confirmation of their medal position having been one of the early combinations down the centre line. With just 0.242% separating the top three riders, it was Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 who scored 75.483% to win the gold medal, followed by Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quarter from Denmark in silver medal position.
Speaking after her test, Jemima simply described her first World Championship as "What an experience! I wasn't too sure what to expect, it wasn't the easiest of rides: he [Fanta] almost felt so relaxed in there which I really wasn't prepared for so there was a slight moment of miscommunication where he was in his own little world, which we like to call 'Fanta Land' sometimes, and then he suddenly woke up as if to go 'oh we are meant to be trotting!'. I wasn't expecting the marks we got to be honest, it felt very different, but we must have shown some lovely moves, and I really did try to ride an accurate test so I think that does help to keep the marks, even if that's not what you are necessarily feeling as good as you can feel."
"He's found the atmosphere over the last couple of days quite a lot for him, and he's been sleeping quite a lot today. He is still young, and the fact that he went in there [the arena] and actually performed, and tried, and coped with it all, including the noise from the other stadium, I can't blame him for being a bit mentally tired when I'm having to use voice queues for him."
Reflecting on their improvements from the 2025 European Championships at Ermelo, Jemima explained that "I very much remember the first test: I wasn't breathing, he wasn't breathing, it was all a bit of a blur and very hard work in a very different way. My nerves definitely took over, whereas I came in to here a lot more confident in myself... and I'm going into the arena thinking 'stay with me' rather than backing off a bit and letting him feel the nerves and feeling the atmosphere. So, I think it really shows how much we have both grown in confidence."
A huge congratulations go to both riders and their teams for their success in the individual competition. We now look forward to both Nicola and Sophie's test later on today, and the team test which begins tomorrow.
Results – top five
Grade I Grand Prix A
1. Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H, 76.709% (USA)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 74.542% (GBR)
3. Sara Moganti and Bond Girl 18, 74.459% (ITA)
4. Laurentia Tan and Hickstead, 73.792% (SGP)
5. Rihards Snikus and Rise and Shine, 72.708% (LAT)
Grand II Grand Prix A
1. Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143, 75.483% (GER)
2. Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater, 75.310% (DEN)
3. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 75.241% (GBR)
4. Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes, 75.000% (USA)
5. Roberta Sheffield and Nardando, 68.569% (CAN)
