The equestrian world is buzzing this June with major ranking shake-ups, welfare reform, thrilling grand prix victories, and a restructured Nations Cup series. Whether you follow dressage, show jumping, or eventing, staying current with expert analysis helps you ride smarter, compete better, and care for your horses more responsibly. Horse Sport has covered the equestrian industry for over 50 years, and this roundup distills the biggest stories of the moment into one convenient read. Here is what the sport's leading voices are talking about right now.
FEI World Rankings: Who Leads in 2026
The FEI World Rankings are the official performance-based classification system used to rank equestrian athletes globally. As of May 2026, Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour holds the world number one position in dressage after maintaining a perfect record of six wins from six starts this season. Charlotte Fry of Great Britain has climbed to second, while Belgium's Justin Verboomen sits in third.
Germany's Isabell Werth, widely regarded as the most decorated dressage rider in history, currently sits fourth. Becky Moody rounds out the top five following her strong FEI Dressage World Cup Final performance. These rankings shift monthly, so check the May 2026 rankings update for full details.
FEI Eventing Nations Cup Gets a New Format
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup is the premier team eventing competition, pitting national squads against one another across a series of international legs. In its 14th year, the 2026 series features a restructured format with five qualifying legs and a Final in Boekelo (NED) from October 1 to 4.
What Changed?
The new format moves away from a cumulative season-long points system. Instead, nations select their top three leg results for a qualifying score, and the Final is designed to reintroduce jeopardy and reduce predictability. Teams consist of three or four combinations, with the best three scores counting.
Who to Watch
Defending champion Germany enters as the favourite, led by Olympic champion Michael Jung aboard Fischerchipmunk FRH. The U.S. Eventing Team also earned silver at the Bicton leg in late May, finishing on a score of 182.2 behind host nation Great Britain, according to US Equestrian.
Horse Welfare Task Force Launches
Horse welfare is the ethical obligation to protect equine athletes from harm, injury, and undue stress during training and competition. The FEI Board recently approved a new Horse Condition Task Force to harmonize welfare protocols across all disciplines. The first meeting is scheduled for June 29, 2026.
As reported on Horse Sport, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez stated the sport must reach common recommendations on blood-on-horse regulations and field-of-play protocols. The Task Force will review current rules, identify gaps, and propose a standardized framework for FEI Officials.
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | FEI General Assembly | Approved restructured Jumping Rules |
| March 2026 | Rule proposals deadline | National Federations submitted welfare rule changes |
| June 29, 2026 | Horse Condition Task Force first meeting | Harmonized blood-on-horse protocols under review |
| Oct 1-4, 2026 | Eventing Nations Cup Final | New format debuts at Boekelo (NED) |
Show Jumping Highlights: Devon and Old Salem
The 130th Devon Horse Show delivered one of the most competitive Grand Prix events in its history. Charlotte Jacobs aboard Korbach van de Renger won the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix with a jump-off time of 32.77 seconds, according to AKSM Media's recap.
Meanwhile at Old Salem Farm, Ireland's Jordan Coyle continued a dominant streak by winning the $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix with Ariso in a time of 34.65 seconds. Ten of 21 entries advanced to the jump-off, but only four posted double-clear rounds.
Dressage World Cup Final Recap
The Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup Final took place April 8 to 12 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. A total of 18 horse-and-rider pairs from 15 countries competed, including a Canadian representative. The 2025-2026 season spanned 36 qualifiers across four leagues: Western European, North American, Pacific, and Central European.
In the U.S., Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4 were crowned USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Champions at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala on May 17, finishing with a combined score of 71.082%.
Canadian Riders Making Waves
Canada's Annie Wang climbed from 163rd to 110th in the FEI Endurance rankings after a second-place finish in the CEI3* 160 in Vittorito, Italy. She and her mount Zaira Del Ma are now qualified for the FEI Endurance World Championships 2026.
For deeper dives into Canadian equestrian stories, explore Horse Sport's magazine archive, which features expert columns on equine health, training, and rider psychology from leading professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour leads the FEI Dressage World Rankings with a perfect 2026 record.
- The FEI Eventing Nations Cup now uses a top-three-results qualifying format instead of cumulative points.
- A new Horse Condition Task Force will hold its first meeting on June 29, 2026 to harmonize welfare rules.
- Charlotte Jacobs won the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix at the 130th Devon Horse Show.
- Jordan Coyle claimed the $225,000 Empire State Grand Prix at Old Salem Farm.
- Canada's Annie Wang qualified for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championships.
- The Dressage World Cup Final in Fort Worth drew 18 combinations from 15 nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current world number one in dressage?
As of May 2026, Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour holds the top position with six wins from six starts this season.
What is the FEI Eventing Nations Cup?
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup is a team-based international eventing series now in its 14th year, featuring five qualifying legs and a Final in Boekelo, Netherlands.
What changed in the Nations Cup format for 2026?
The series moved away from a cumulative season-long points system. Nations now count their top three qualifying results, and the Final is designed to be less predictable.
What is the FEI Horse Condition Task Force?
It is a multi-discipline body established by the FEI Board to review and harmonize welfare protocols, especially regarding blood-on-horse rules, across all equestrian disciplines.
Who won the 2026 Devon Horse Show Grand Prix?
Charlotte Jacobs won the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix aboard Korbach van de Renger with a jump-off time of 32.77 seconds.
Where was the 2026 FEI Dressage World Cup Final held?
The Final was held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 8 to 12, 2026.
Are any Canadian riders competing internationally in 2026?
Yes. Annie Wang qualified for the FEI Endurance World Championships 2026 after moving up to 110th in the world rankings.
Where can I find expert equestrian articles and analysis?
Horse Sport publishes expert-written news and in-depth features across disciplines at horsesport.com/news and in its magazine section.
Stay Ahead of the Sport
The equestrian calendar is packed through the fall of 2026. Subscribe to the Horse Sport newsletter to receive expert news, rankings updates, and welfare coverage delivered straight to your inbox every week.