Final World Champions Crowned in Aachen
Harry Charles (GBR) riding LT Holst Freda. Photo: FEI/Benjamin Clark/Leanjo de Koster
After 13 days of world-class sport, the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 came to a close after welcoming 500,000 spectators through the gates and crowning World Champions across six disciplines.
The Closing Ceremony brought the Championships together for one final celebration in the Main Stadium, including a special appearance from Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine, whose Freestyle performance was met with a standing ovation. With athletes, teams, and nations gathering once more beneath the Aachen flags, it was a fitting end to two unforgettable weeks of top sport at the Allianz Park.
Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Dynamix de Belheme were crowned Individual World Champions after completing five demanding rounds without a jumping fault. Thibeau Spits (BEL) claimed silver, while Harry Charles (GBR) produced a remarkable comeback to take bronze.
The USA was crowned Para Dressage Team World Champions after a record-breaking team performance, finishing ahead of Germany in silver and the Netherlands in bronze.
The final Para Dressage medals were decided across all five grades, with Freestyle gold going to Marie Vonderheyden (USA), Fiona Howard (USA), Rixt van der Horst (NED), Kate Shoemaker (USA), and Lena Malmström (SWE).
Boyd Exell (AUS) secured his eighth Individual World Championship title, finally adding an Aachen World Championship victory to his extraordinary record. Dries Degrieck (BEL) took silver, with Chester Weber (USA) completing the podium in bronze.
The Netherlands was crowned Team World Champions after the final Cones phase, with Australia taking silver and Belgium bronze to complete the Four-in-Hand team podium.
