Charlotte Fry and the stallion Glamourdale defended their world crown during the dressage Grand Prix Special this Friday in Aachen. In vaulting, Quentin Jabet placed 2nd in the technical test, while the eventing riders wrapped up the dressage phase ahead of the challenging cross-country course scheduled for this Saturday, August 15.
Tension rose even higher at the Soers showgrounds for this latest day of competition at the 2026 FEI World Championships. This Friday, August 14, will be remembered for British rider Charlotte Fry's masterclass in pure dressage, the tight battle between Quentin Jabet and Sam Dos Santos in individual male vaulting, and the final standings of the eventing dressage test.
Dressage: Charlotte Fry Defends World Title in Thrilling Finish
Reigning world champion since Herning in 2022, British rider Charlotte "Lottie" Fry confirmed her dominance in international dressage during the Grand Prix Special. Aboard her phenomenal 15-year-old KWPN stallion, Glamourdale, the 30-year-old rider delivered a masterful test scored at 82.295%.
In this highly technical class, Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour captured the silver medal riding Mount St John Freestyle with an average of 80.927%, narrowly edging out Germany's Katharina Hemmer on Denoix PCH (80.866%), who claimed individual bronze in front of her home crowd. German legend Isabell Werth just missed the podium in 4th place with Wendy de Fontaine (79.544%). Charlotte Fry will head into Saturday evening's Grand Prix Freestyle under the Main Stadium lights as the heavy favorite to secure the double.
Men's Vaulting: Quentin Jabet Neck-and-Neck Ahead of Freestyle Final
After making a strong impression in the compulsory test by earning the top score (8.698), France's Quentin Jabet delivered a very solid performance in the technical test (Sparkasse Prize). Aboard Estado and lunged by Loïc Devedu, the French champion took 2nd place with a score of 8.467:
The Frenchman was outscored by the Netherlands' Sam Dos Santos, who put in a standout routine on Heros scoring 8.568, while Germany's Bela Lehnen rounded out the provisional podium aboard Max with 8.279. The fight for the individual male world title promises to be intense during the freestyle (Kür) final scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Eventing: Dressage Concludes, All Eyes on the Soers Course
The second half of the eventing dressage test set the provisional leaderboard before the massive cross-country test. The French team sits in 3rd place provisionally in the team standings with a total of 84.5 penalty points, behind Great Britain and Germany. Nicolas Touzaint holds the best card for the squad: riding Diabolo Menthe, he holds 11th place individually with 26.7 penalties. Alexis Goury follows in 10th provisional rank with his gray gelding Je'vall (28.5 penalties).
The team—rounded out by Gaspard Maksud (Zaragoza, 16th) and Benjamin Massié (Figaro Fonroy, 63rd), alongside Astier Nicolas competing as an individual on Alertamalib'Or (23rd)—is now fully focused on the Soers cross-country course, which promises to be decisive in the race for the podium.
Saturday, August 15 Schedule: Cross-Country, Vaulting Finals, and Night Kür
Saturday, August 15 promises to be historic with four world titles awarded across a packed schedule:
- Eventing – Cross-Country Test (09:15 AM – 03:55 PM | Soers Course): The marquee eventing phase contested over 3.48 miles at a speed of 570 mpm. 42 fences await the five French horse-and-rider combinations at the start. Time allowed: 19'40"
- Vaulting – Women's Freestyle Final (08:00 AM – 12:40 PM | Arena 3): Medal showdown (Sparkasse Prize) where French vaulter Océane Gehan will attempt a comeback.
- Vaulting – Men's Freestyle Final (01:15 PM – 03:20 PM | Arena 3): Individual male final where Quentin Jabet, Dorian Terrier, and Ruben Delaunay will contend for the world podium.
- Vaulting – Squad Freestyle Final (03:45 PM – 06:25 PM | Arena 3): Team (Squad) program final featuring the French collective's decisive routine on Furst Fridolin HDC.
- Pure Dressage – Grand Prix Freestyle (07:00 PM – 11:15 PM | Main Stadium): The grand musical individual final reserved for the top 18 pairs from the Grand Prix Special, held under the floodlights of the main stadium (Lindt Prize).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Charlotte Fry's Grand Prix Special victory historic?
By winning the Grand Prix Special in Aachen with a score of 82.295%, Charlotte Fry completed the double following her title win in Herning in 2022 with the same stallion, Glamourdale, cementing her status as a global dressage benchmark at just 30 years old.
How is the cumulative individual vaulting score calculated?
The final standings are determined by averaging the scores earned in the first round (compulsory and technical tests) and the freestyle (Kür) final. Consistency across all tests is essential to contend for the podium.
What makes the Aachen cross-country course unique?
Known for its winding layout and rolling terrain, the Soers cross-country course requires excellent stride management and precise riding to successfully navigate complex combinations within the optimum time.
