Aachen, Germany – August 20, 2026 – Day two brought a different test at the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championship in Aachen (GER), as the Team competition sharpened and the Individual title race gathered momentum in Round 1 of the Second Competition.
Unlike Wednesday’s speed test, there was no race against the clock. This time, the priority was to leave the poles in their cups and secure a place among the top 10 nations and 60 best-placed Athletes advancing to the next round.
Germany did exactly that. The host nation added nothing to their overnight score to remain on 3.48 penalties, ahead of the USA on 4.85, with Belgium and Italy tied for third on 7.69.
Germany, the United States of America, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and Ireland all made the cut for Friday’s Team medal decider.
Individually, Scott Brash (GBR), aboard Hello Mango, moved into first place after another clear round to remain on 0.80 penalty-points. Sophie Hinners (GER) sits second with Iron Dames Singclair on 0.84, while Steve Guerdat (SUI), riding Dynamix de Belheme, and Daniel Deusser, on Otello de Guldenboom, share third on 0.86.
German Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker knows there is little room for error.
“So far, so good,” he said. “All four horses jumped very, very well. But as we always say, the other nations are very close, so you’d better have no faults.”
Second Test
Course designer Frank Rothenberger (GER) turned up the technical pressure with a winding 13-obstacle track featuring 16 jumping efforts, a time allowed of 84 seconds and the first triple combination of the week.
Forty-nine combinations left every fence standing, but faults throughout the field showed just how quickly fortunes could change.
Cyprus’ Alexa Stais (CYP) and Cornflake CR produced the first clear of the day, 20 years after she represented South Africa in Vaulting at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen.
“It was a surreal feeling,” she said. “I don’t think it’s really quite sunk in yet. I’m going to go back to the stable to calm down with Cornflake, but it was very emotional.”
Back at the venue where she first competed as a 10-year-old, Stais delivered a full-circle moment in the best possible way, with a clear round on her Jumping World Championship debut.
Germany Deliver Again
Germany entered the day in pole position and gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate, with Marcus Ehning (GER) & Coolio 42, Sophie Hinners (GER) & Iron Dames Singclair, Daniel Deusser (GER) & Otello de Guldenboom and Richard Vogel (GER) & United Touch S all jumping clear to add nothing to their overnight total.
Hinners, who also sits second individually, adjusted her tactics from Wednesday’s speed test to produce another faultless performance.
“Yesterday we tried to be as quick as possible without rushing him,” she explained. “Today we went back to our usual plan and added a stride here and there because I think that’s the way we get the best jump.”
The 11-year-old gelding may be small in stature, but his ability continues to belie his size.
“He’s very special to me. He’s quite small and quite short, and then he just goes in and jumps a track like this and makes it look easy,” Hinners added.
“He always comes into the arena wanting to do his best and is always fighting for me.”
Brash Breaks Through
Brash and Hello Mango delivered another textbook clear, while overnight leader Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Fringan de Vesquerie had two rails down and slipped to 64th, showing just how quickly fortunes can change.
For Brash, however, it was another performance to savour.
“I’m delighted with Mango. I thought she jumped incredible,” he said. “She felt a little bit more tense in the warm-up today because there was more atmosphere, but when she went in the ring she was absolutely fantastic.”
The clear also helped Great Britain secure their place in Friday’s Team Final, but Brash is taking nothing for granted.
“It’s amazing, but I’m under no illusions,” he said. “There’s a long way to go, a lot of jumping to go and a lot of big tests to come. We’ll take one day at a time.”
Family Affair
For Norway, Thursday brought a milestone of another kind.
Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen (NOR) & Equine America Harwich VDL produced Norway’s first clear of the day while competing alongside his father, Geir Gulliksen (NOR) & Island V G.
It is only the fifth time a father and son have competed together on a Team at a World Championship, with the Gulliksens becoming just the third pairing to do so.
“We are a proud riding family, and to be here with the Team and family means a lot,” Johan-Sebastian said.
The clear on his FEI Jumping World Championship debut also secured his place among the 60 best-placed Athletes progressing to Friday’s competition.
Geir admitted watching his children brings more nerves than riding himself.
“I’m not nervous when I’m riding, but when he goes, you cannot do anything,” he said. “It’s like sitting next to a driver who is going fast. If you drive yourself, it’s fine.”
Having first competed in Aachen 41 years ago, seeing the next generation continue the family’s passion for the sport is especially meaningful.
“I just love competing,” he added. “It’s so nice to have two kids who can compete at this level. Today he rode super, the horse jumped well and I’m very happy.”
Final Countdown
With the top 10 nations and 60 best-placed Athletes set to return for Round 2, the field has narrowed and the pressure intensified.
Friday brings another dimension as the Championship moves under lights in the iconic Main Stadium for the Team medal showdown.
The competition continues at 18:50 CEST on Friday with Round 2 of the Second Competition – Team Final and Second Individual Qualifier – where the Team medals will be decided and the Individual contenders move one step closer to Sunday’s Individual title.
Team Standings – After the Second Team Competition – Mercedes-Benz Prize
1) Germany – 3.48 / 0 = 3.48
2) United States of America – 4.85 / 0 = 4.85
3) Belgium – 3.69 / 4 = 7.69
Individual Standings – After the Second Competition Individual Qualifier – Mercedes-Benz Prize
1) Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Mango – 0.80 / 0 = 0.80
2) Sophie Hinners (GER) & Iron Dames Singclair – 0.84 / 0 = 0.84
3) Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Dynamix de Belheme – 0.86 / 0 = 0.86
3) Daniel Deusser (GER) & Otello de Guldenboom – 0.86 / 0 = 0.86
Source: Press Release by Kirsty Pasto for the FEI – Fédération Équestre Internationale
Photos: © FEI / Benjamin Clark
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