The equestrian world moves fast, and staying informed means following the right sources. From FEI Nations Cup victories to new Equestrian Canada board elections and exciting scholarship programs for young riders, the spring and early summer of 2026 have been packed with developments. Horse Sport has covered these stories in depth for over 50 years as Canada's equestrian authority. Below, we round up the most important headlines shaping the sport right now, with expert context to help you understand what they mean for riders, owners, and fans.
Great Britain Defends FEI Eventing Nations Cup Title at Bicton
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup is a prestigious series in which national teams compete across multiple legs for a place in the annual final. In late May 2026, Great Britain led from start to finish at Bicton to claim victory in the second leg of the 2026 series, finishing on a score of 135.6.
The British squad of Kirsty Chabert, Tom McEwen, Laura Collett, and Tom Rowland produced dominant performances across all three phases. The U.S. team earned silver with a score of 182.2, while Ireland finished fourth at 309.9 but still picked up crucial qualification points toward the series final in Boekelo, Netherlands.
FEI World Rankings Shake-Up for May 2026
The FEI World Rankings are the official global standings used to determine athlete eligibility and seedings for major championships. The May 2026 update brought notable movement across disciplines.
Dressage
Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour held onto the world number-one spot after posting six wins from six starts this season. Charlotte Fry of Great Britain climbed two places to second, while Belgium's Justin Verboomen, the reigning European champion, slipped one spot to third. Germany's Isabell Werth dropped to fourth. Full details are available in Horse Sport's FEI World Rankings update for May 2026.
Show Jumping
Kent Farrington moved up to the top of the show jumping rankings, edging past Scotland's Scott Brash. Richard Vogel, Ben Maher, and Gilles Thomas rounded out the top five, according to the latest FEI rankings data.
| Rank | Rider | Nation | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour | DEN | -- |
| 2 | Charlotte Fry | GBR | +2 |
| 3 | Justin Verboomen | BEL | -1 |
| 4 | Isabell Werth | GER | -1 |
| 5 | Becky Moody | GBR | -- |
MARS Bromont Rising Grants Support Next-Generation Eventers
The MARS Bromont Rising program is a scholarship initiative administered by the USEA Foundation that provides U25 riders with $2,500 grants to help cover travel and entry expenses at the MARS Bromont CCI in Quebec, Canada. The 2026 event runs June 4 to 7.
Beyond financial support, grant recipients attend classroom sessions led by respected industry figures. Returning presenters for 2026 include cross-country course designer Derek DiGrazia, FEI 5* judge Peter Gray, and Olympic medalist Bettina Hoy. New for 2026 are sessions on stable management with former USEA president Max Corcoran. Learn more about the program at the Bromont Rising grants announcement.
The event will also feature a fundraiser to support Equestrian Canada's high-performance eventing team ahead of the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Equestrian Canada Rule Amendments Take Effect
Equestrian Canada (EC) announced amendments through the Extraordinary Rule Amendment process, effective immediately as of May 27, 2026. The changes span four sections: General Regulations, Breeds, Dressage and Para Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper/Equitation/Hack.
Key updates include revised rules on electronic communication devices (Article A907) aligned with FEI General Regulations Article 140 for rider safety, and fall-related rule clarifications under Article G103. These amendments reflect a broader push to harmonize Canadian rules with international standards. Read the full breakdown in the EC rule amendments article.
New Directors Elected to Equestrian Canada Board
At its Annual General Meeting on May 26, 2026, Equestrian Canada elected four new directors to its board. Victoria McDonald, Sergio Rodriguez, and Marcia Thompson join for the first time, while Gilles Levasseur returns as an incumbent. The election drew 13 qualified applications with seven candidates advancing to the ballot.
The new board members will help guide the national governing body through a busy quadrennial cycle that includes the 2026 FEI World Championships, the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Horse Welfare Protocols Under the Spotlight
Equine welfare is the practice of ensuring that horses used in sport are treated humanely and protected from abuse, overexertion, and neglect. It has become one of the defining issues of the 2026 competition season.
Horse Sport has published investigative pieces noting that only 20% of abuse reports merit investigation by the FEI, and the site continues to review horse welfare protocols across the sport. Meanwhile, US Equestrian released a white paper earlier this year summarizing veterinary recommendations on sport horse medicine, injury prevention, and fitness-to-compete standards.
These developments signal that governing bodies worldwide are taking a harder look at how horses are treated at competitions, from warm-up arenas to post-event care.
Key Takeaways
- Great Britain won the second leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup 2026 at Bicton with a score of 135.6.
- Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour maintains her dressage world number-one ranking with a perfect 2026 record.
- The MARS Bromont Rising program awarded grants to U25 riders competing June 4 to 7 in Quebec.
- Equestrian Canada amended rules on safety, communication devices, and hunter/jumper tack effective May 27, 2026.
- Four new directors were elected to the Equestrian Canada board at the May 26 AGM.
- Horse welfare remains a top priority, with the FEI and US Equestrian both issuing new protocols and reports.
- The 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen represent the first major games of the new Olympic cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FEI Eventing Nations Cup?
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup is an annual team competition series in which national eventing squads compete at designated legs worldwide, earning points toward a spot in the series final held each autumn.
Who is ranked number one in dressage in 2026?
As of the May 2026 FEI World Rankings, Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour holds the world number-one position in dressage after six consecutive wins this season.
What is the MARS Bromont Rising program?
MARS Bromont Rising is a U25 scholarship program administered by the USEA Foundation. It provides $2,500 grants plus educational sessions to help young riders compete at the MARS Bromont CCI in Quebec, Canada.
When are the 2026 FEI World Championships?
The 2026 FEI World Championships will be held in Aachen, Germany. They are the first major championships in the new quadrennial cycle leading to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What rules did Equestrian Canada change in May 2026?
Equestrian Canada amended rules across General Regulations, Breeds, Dressage/Para Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper/Equitation/Hack sections, focusing on rider safety and alignment with updated FEI regulations.
Where can I find expert equestrian articles and training tips?
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