{"id":20256,"date":"2026-05-09T14:01:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T14:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/?p=20256"},"modified":"2026-05-13T14:06:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T14:06:01","slug":"grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After a string of impressive results in the lead-up to 2026, we are keeping our eyes on seven dressage horses who may be primed for success this year. The group of seasoned campaigners and developing horses include four Dutch Warmbloods, one Danish Warmblood, one Swedish Warmblood and one Westphalian. Learn more about this set of one mare, two stallions and five geldings between the ages of 8 and 16 with dressage prowess.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fayvel\"><strong>Fayvel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name<\/em>: <\/strong><em>Fayvel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age: <\/em><\/strong><em>16<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed:<\/em><\/strong><em> Dutch Warmblood<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Gelding<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Anna Marek<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner: <\/em><\/strong><em>Cythnia Davila<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements:<\/em><\/strong> <em>Eighth at the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup\u2122 Final \u2022 Third at the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before becoming a Grand Prix star with Anna Marek, Fayvel was ridden extensively by his amateur owner Cythnia Davila. She had Shelley Van den Neste bring him up to Intermediaire I before taking the ride herself. The pair had a successful partnership, with Davila competing him in the amateur CDI classes at small tour and Grand Prix, where they collected a handful of wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But when Davila got injured and needed to take some time off from riding, she approached Marek about competing the Dutch Warmblood (Zizi Top\u2014Ofra, Houston). They hit it off from the start by taking second in the Grand Prix and winning the freestyle at World Equestrian Center \u2013 Ocala.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As they continued to build their partnership, a dream of attending the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup\u2122 Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was born. It was a new experience for the pair, as it was their first CDI outside of Florida, but Fayvel rose to the occasion, finishing eighth in the freestyle as the top-placed U.S. horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20258\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Anna Marek and Fayvel show off their extended trot at the 2025 Adequan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Global Dressage Festival. \u00a9Susan J. Stickle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When Marek was named to the short list for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with her other Grand Prix horse Fire Fly, she decided to invest in her education with both horses and brought Fayvel along to Europe. It proved to be a fruitful decision, as the gelding was second in both of his classes at the Kronberg CDI4* in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Fayvel is a true competitor, his sweet personality shines at home. \u201cIn the barn he is the sweetest, easiest horse you would ever meet, [and] also the sleepiest,\u201d she said. \u201cFor as calm as he is in the barn, one little tick about Fayvel is that he hates being alone. When I\u2019m riding him, he is like a stallion. He knows where every single horse on the property is. If a horse comes into the arena or leaves the arena, he must say something to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Marek and Fayvel competed primarily in Florida for the 2025 season, they never finished off the podium, winning the Grand Prix at the WEC \u2013 Ocala CDI4* and the Grand Prix Special at Dressage at Devon. The primary goal for Fayvel in 2025 was the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, which was held for the first time at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. The pair were the series leaders heading into the final, where they topped the Grand Prix before taking third in the freestyle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think Fayvel adores the one-on-one attention [of competing,]\u201d she said. \u201cHe is the perfect show horse because he gets excited to show but in a very good way. The show energizes him. He knows his job so well at this point that I\u2019m along for the ride\u2014especially those extended trots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They got their 2026 season off to a good start by taking second in the CDI5* Grand Prix freestyle at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and are now aiming towards the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gino-nbsp\"><strong>Gino&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name: <\/em><\/strong><em>G<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age:<\/em> <\/strong><em>15<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed<\/em>: <\/strong><em>Dutch Warmblood<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex: <\/em><\/strong><em>Gelding<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Ge\u00f1ay Vaughn<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Michele Vaughn<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements: <\/em><\/strong><em>Second at the 2022 GAIG\/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championship in the Open Grand Prix division \u2022 Sixth at the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the Vaughn family first purchased Gino as a 6-year-old, the Dutch Warmblood gelding (Bretton Woods\u2014Lugienna, Haarlem) was meant for Ge\u00f1ay Vaughn\u2019s mother Michele, not Ge\u00f1ay. But as they got to know the gelding, Michele believed Gino\u2019s talent would be well matched for Ge\u00f1ay\u2019s international team ambitions. So, Michele handed over the reins, and it\u2019s been life changing for Ge\u00f1ay, catapulting her on to the international stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGino\u2019s a freak of nature,\u201d Ge\u00f1ay said of the now 15-year-old gelding. \u201cHe\u2019s so incredibly talented, and he always offers 110%. He\u2019s unlike any horse I have ever ridden. It feels like you are floating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The selfless act proved to be the right move for both, as he became her first CDI Grand Prix horse since competing in the U25 division in 2018. The California-based pair did their first Grand Prix in 2022 and were second in that year\u2019s GAIG\/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championship in the Open Grand Prix. That was just the start for the pair, who made their CDI debut the following January at the Adequan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Since Ge\u00f1ay is Gino\u2019s groom at home, spending every day catering to his needs, she\u2019s developed a strong partnership with the gelding whose list of nicknames is extensive, including Big G, GG and Banana Boy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe has the best personality,\u201d said Ge\u00f1ay. \u201cHe knows he\u2019s the man and it\u2019s his world and we are all just living in it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131033\/WCFB25brinkman4-5d1-9035-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131033\/WCFB25brinkman4-5d1-9035-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131033\/WCFB25brinkman4-5d1-9035-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131033\/WCFB25brinkman4-5d1-9035-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131033\/WCFB25brinkman4-5d1-9035-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131033\/WCFB25brinkman4-5d1-9035-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ge\u00f1ay Vaughn and Gino compete at the 2025 FEI Dressage World Cup\u2122 Final in Basel, Switzerland. \u00a9Shannon Brinkman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As their first winter season wrapped up, the long hours spent together were evident as their scores improved. They found themselves near the top of the podium more often, and Ge\u00f1ay credits their connection on their success. She and Michele have a horse-first approach to their business Starr Vaughn Equestrian in Elk Grove, California, where they prioritize getting the horses out of the ring and make sure they\u2019re happy in their work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are truly best friends, and I think he tries his heart out for me,\u201d Ge\u00f1ay said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the following year, their competitiveness in the CDI ring increased, but 2025 proved to be their true breakout year. They won all but four classes they contested all season, earning themselves a spot in the FEI Dressage World Cup\u2122 Final in Basel, Switzerland, where they had a respectable finish in their first competition outside the U.S. They also contested the first US Equestrian Open of Dressage in Thermal California, where they were sixth in both the Grand Prix and freestyle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, Ge\u00f1ay has once again set big goals for herself, as she looks to qualify again for the World Cup Final, this time on home soil in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as aiming toward the US Equestrian Open at the end of the year. They\u2019re well on their way, with podium finishes in Wellington and a personal best in the Grand Prix freestyle in a World Cup qualifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hussmanns-topgun\"><strong>Hussmanns Topgun<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name: <\/em><\/strong><em>Maverick<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age: <\/em><\/strong><em>10<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Danish Warmblood<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Gelding<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Adrienne Lyle<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner: <\/em><\/strong><em>Heidi Humphries<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements:<\/em><\/strong> <em>Winner of the 2025 Markel\/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adrienne Lyle has always been skilled at bringing along young horses to the FEI levels, and Hussmanns Topgun is no exception. Lyle first encountered the gelding when he was 6 years old with Patrik Kittel, and she fell in love with his power. In 2022, Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center purchased the Danish Warmblood (Totilas\u2014Atterupgaards Demi, Belissimo M). Lyle took the time to get to know him before he made his U.S. showing debut at Third Level in 2024, where it was clear that \u201cMaverick\u201d was destined for big things, with scores as high as 82.87%.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the waters tested, Lyle spent most of her time training at home, working on the fine details and making him stronger. With so much time together, she really got to understand his giant puppy personality, which is gentle enough to let her toddler sit on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMaverick is very people-oriented and cuddly,\u201d she said. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t care much for other horses but always wants the attention of his humans, and he loves food and will beg for treats. He is hot and fiery under saddle but super laid back and easygoing in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Lyle brought him back out in 2025, they headed to the Developing Prix St. Georges ring, where he proved to be\u00a0just as competitive as the difficulty increased. It was a major milestone for the gelding, as she donned her tailcoat to see how he\u2019d handle the intensity of an FEI test. They were unbeaten heading into the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions in Wayne, Illinois, over the summer, where they swept the Markel\/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship, winning by nearly four percentage points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13131458\/ALyle.HussmannsTopGun.5FCS7115%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20262\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Adrienne Lyle and Hussmanns Topgun on their way to winning the Markel\/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. \u00a9Susan J. Stickle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe is a horse who has a lot of power and presence,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a process to get all that power under control and relaxed, but when it comes together, I think he is very impressive in the show ring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though Maverick is low on show miles, Lyle has spent lots of time getting to know him and determining the best way to show off his talents. While training is important, so is his mental well-being. Therefore, Lyle prioritizes riding outside of the ring and on the trails and giving him 24\/7 turnout.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe is a very sensitive horse, physically and emotionally,\u201d said Lyle. \u201cHe challenges me every day to be a better rider and be very disciplined, patient and clear in my communication with him. At first he was not very trusting and would get anxious easily, but over the years, we have built a really solid relationship, and now he trusts me as his rider and will fight for me at shows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the talent he\u2019s showing so far, the pair landed on the USEF Dressage Development Program list and are now focusing on the open small tour and entering his first CDIs to gain experience while he builds strength for the Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-indian-rock\"><strong>Indian Rock<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name: <\/em><\/strong><em>Rocky<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age:<\/em> <\/strong><em>13<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed: <\/em><\/strong><em>Dutch Warmblood<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex<\/em>: <\/strong><em>Stallion<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider: <\/em><\/strong><em>Christian Simonson<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner: <\/em><\/strong><em>Heidi Humphries<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements:<\/em><\/strong> <em>2022 FEI Dressage World Championships, 2023 FEI European Dressage Championships and 2024 Paris Olympic Games with previous rider, Dutch Olympian Emmelie Scholtens \u2022 Winner of the 2025 Neue Schule\/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with U.S. rider Christian Simonson<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indian Rock was hardly a newcomer on the Grand Prix circuit before Heidi Humphries purchased him for Christian Simonson to compete. But ever since they paired up at the beginning of 2025, they\u2019ve been unstoppable, winning every single one of their Grand Prix starts. With unmatched success in the show ring, this pair quickly became one of the hottest pairs on the U.S. dressage scene.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s naturally extremely talented with exceptional paces, but beyond that, he has an amazing brain and heart. He\u2019s truly the total package,\u201d said Simonson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRocky\u201d was initially brought up the levels by Dutch Olympian Emmelie Scholtens, who started his FEI career at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at 5 years old. In 2022, he made his CDI Grand Prix debut and that year helped the Dutch team win the FEI Dressage Nations Cup at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on his way to the 2022 FEI Dressage World Championships and later the 2023 FEI European Dressage Championships. The Dutch Warmblood (Apache\u2014Crisjena, Exquis Vivaldi) proved to be a shining star on the Dutch team, making the squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they were 11th in the Grand Prix freestyle with a personal best of 82.75%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the Games, Rocky was listed for sale, and at the beginning of 2025, Humphries secured the stallion for her Zen Elite Equestrian Center and gave Simonson the ride. It was an instant match from the first moment Simonson set foot in the stirrup.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13132001\/CSimonson.IndianRock.5FCS4333%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20264\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Simonson and Indian Rock on their way to winning the Neue Schule\/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions.\u00a0\u00a9Susan J. Stickle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRocky is just a totally chill guy in the barn,\u201d said Simonson. \u201cHe\u2019s one of the easiest-going stallions you\u2019ll ever meet. He\u2019s incredibly sweet and kind and always wants to hang out and cuddle with whoever is around. Rocky\u2019s just a really special soul.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They took their time preparing for the show ring, entering their first competition in late April, where they won two national tests with scores of 78%. From there, things only improved, with them scoring as high as 81.40% in the freestyle at the TerraNova CDI-W. Over the summer, the pair headed to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, where they swept\u00a0their classes to win the Neue Schule\/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, earning themselves a spot on the USEF Dressage Pre-Elite list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s an absolute dream to ride and train,\u201d said Simonson. \u201cHe\u2019s so elastic and has an incredible amount of scope in all of his movements. More than anything, he\u2019s incredibly smart and consistently tries his heart out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary goal for 2026 is the Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup\u2122 Final in Fort Worth, Texas, which they qualified for in their first show this year at the Adequan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Global Dressage Festival. After that, they\u2019ll see where the year takes them, but with a record like theirs so far, they\u2019re ones to watch.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jane\"><strong>Jane<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name: <\/em><\/strong><em>Jane<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age:<\/em><\/strong><em> 12<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed: <\/em><\/strong><em>Dutch Warmblood<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Mare<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider: <\/em><\/strong><em>Marcus Orlob<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner: <\/em><\/strong><em>Alice Tarjan<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements:<\/em><\/strong> <em>U.S. Dressage Team member at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heading into the 2024 season, Marcus Orlob didn\u2019t have the Olympics on his radar, but everything changed when Alice Tarjan handed over the reins on the stunning black mare Jane. Though Orlob had known the Dutch Warmblood (Desperado\u2014Zandra, Metall) bred by H.J. van Oort since she was freshly imported at 3 years old, he had never competed her. Tarjan, who rides as an amateur, brought Jane along from young horse to showing national Grand Prix. But when it came time to send Jane into the CDI Grand Prix ring, Tarjan felt Orlob would be a better fit for the enthusiastic mare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUnder saddle, Jane is always motivated, willing, and light to ride,\u201d said Orlob. \u201cEvery training session with her is a joy because she approaches her work with enthusiasm and a great attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They made their show ring debut in March, and with each show they improved as Orlob built a partnership with a mare he\u2019d only known from the ground and a brief stint riding her while in quarantine. As their scores steadily rose, they earned a spot on the short list of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. They then headed to Europe for the final observation events, and the one-on-one time only deepened their partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the barn, Jane is like a puppy\u2014incredibly sweet, affectionate, and always looking for attention,\u201d he said. \u201cShe loves to snuggle and has a very gentle, friendly personality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With wins in Kronberg, Germany, and strong showings in Aachen, Germany, they landed on the squad that would compete in France, with a fairytale story of their first show to the Olympics in five months. While a nick on Jane\u2019s leg prevented it from being a triumphant Olympic debut, Orlob brought Jane out in 2025 aiming to improve the mare\u2019s relaxation and confidence in the ring. They were undefeated during the Adequan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, before heading to Germany to begin their European tour. They competed in the Aachen CDI3*, where they won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, with consistent scores across their tests, which helped land them on the USEF Dressage Pre-Elite Program list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13132845\/MOrlob.Jane_.5G0Z7898%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20265\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marcus Orlob and Jane are focused during their dressage test at the 2025 Adequan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Global Dressage Festival. \u00a9Susan J. Stickle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During the fall, they focused on their homework, continuing to improve Jane\u2019s relaxation and getting her more through in the body. In addition to ring work, they\u2019ve spent time hacking, schooling at other barns and riding her over at the Winter Equestrian Festival showgrounds in Wellington to give her exposure to the consistent activity of the hunter\/jumper facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their work paid off, as they once again started their winter season in January as they aim to qualify for this summer\u2019s FEI Dressage World Championships in Aachen. In two shows, they won three classes, including the CDI5* Grand Prix with a personal-best score of 75.97%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe is gaining valuable experience,\u201d said Orlob. \u201cWith each show, she becomes more confident, focused and mature, which allows her talent to shine through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rosebank-vh\"><strong>Rosebank VH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name: <\/em><\/strong><em>Ross<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age:<\/em> <\/strong><em>8&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Swedish Warmblood<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex:<\/em><\/strong><em> Stallion<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider: <\/em><\/strong><em>Katie Duerrhammer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner: <\/em><\/strong><em>Kylee Lourie<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements:<\/em><\/strong> <em>Winner of the 2025 Markel\/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championship for 7-Year-Olds<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Katie Duerrhammer tried Rosebank VH for the first time, she knew immediately that he was a perfect fit for her personality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;&#8216;Ross&#8217; is funny, smart, loyal and has a bit of an ego,\u201d Duerrhammer said. \u201cHe only shows his sweet, cuddly side to his chosen people and is always up for laugh. He is a horse that demands respect, and in turn, he gives you a deep sense of loyalty and dedication. Ross also is very social and loves his neighbor. It\u2019s also very common to see him with a couple birds perched on his butt in the afternoon as he sleeps in the sun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to coming to the United States, Ross won bronze at the Swedish Warmblood young horse championships with Spanish dressage rider Eric Guardia. As a 4-year-old, he became a popular breeding stallion and later that year, he competed in the Swedish Warmblood young horse championships again, this time taking silver in the 4-year-old division with Swedish rider Mia Runesson. While he showed clear talent in the ring as a young horse, his quality is clear as he became a prolific sire, who was the top bred stallion in Sweden in 2022. Kylee Lourie then purchased the Swedish Warmblood (Revolution\u2014Darling II VH, Dalwhinnie) in the summer of 2023 for Duerrhammer to ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRoss is lovely to ride,\u201d she said. \u201cHe is light in the bridle, very naturally balanced, and learns faster than almost any horse I have had. He has a strong sense of self-confidence and is always up for the next challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13133201\/KDuerrhammer.RosebankVH.5FCS5219%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20266\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Katie Duerrhammer captured the Markel\/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championship for 7-Year-Olds with Rosebank VH at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions.\u00a0\u00a9Susan J. Stickle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After spending the fall getting to know one another, Duerrhammer began showing the Swedish Warmblood (Revolution\u2014Darling II VH, Dalwhinnie) at Third Level and in the FEI 6-year-old tests. In 2025, they moved up to Fourth Level and the 7-year-old tests, with their main goal being the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. There they won the Markel\/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championship for 7-Year-Olds, by sweeping their tests with scores soaring up to 82.81%, with their quality score hitting 92.2%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRoss is always the horse I can count on in the ring,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen he is nervous, he looks to me for guidance but loves the spotlight and to be the center of attention. He always tries his hardest for me, and I respect what his body is ready for because my goal is that he always feels he is the best horse in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the year, he showed in the national Prix St. Georges at the World Equestrian Center \u2013 Ocala, where he won both of his tests, setting him on a strong trajectory for the 2026 show year. Their focus will be on the Developing Prix St. Georges ahead of this year\u2019s U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-zen-elite-s-bohemian\"><strong>Zen Elite\u2019s Bohemian<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Barn Name: <\/em><\/strong><em>Bo<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Age:<\/em> <\/strong><em>16<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Breed:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Westphalian<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sex:<\/em> <\/strong><em>Gelding<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Rider: <\/em><\/strong><em>Endel Ots<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Owner: <\/em><\/strong><em>Heidi Humphries<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Past major achievements:<\/em><\/strong> <em>2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and team bronze, individual bronze and freestyle silver at the 2021 FEI European Dressage Championships with Danish Olympian Cathrine Laurdrup-Dufour \u2022 Traveling reserve at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with U.S. Olympian Endel Ots<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After sitting on Zen Elite\u2019s Bohemian for the first time, Endel Ots sent Heidi Humphries a memorable text. It read: \u201cI\u2019ll sell one of my kidneys, give my firstborn child, whatever I have to do, to ride him.\u201d Luckily for Ots, he didn\u2019t have to go to such extremes, and Humphries\u2019 Zen Elite Equestrian Center purchased \u201cBo,\u201d for Ots to ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRiding Bohemian reminds me every day that this sport is about listening, patience and partnership, and I\u2019m very thankful for the opportunity to grow with him,\u201d said Ots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But he had quite a lot of pressure hanging over him as the Westphalian (Bordeaux 28\u2014Sunshine, Samarant) was a prolific winner already with Denmark\u2019s Cathrine Laurdrup-Dufour. In 2019, he had a standout CHIO Aachen, where he scored 78% in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special, before improving his freestyle score by over 12 points to score an 85.39% for fourth. From there he went from strength to strength, attending the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and finishing third in the Grand Prix and fourth in the freestyle. That same year, they went to the FEI European Dressage Championships, winning team bronze, individual bronze and freestyle silver.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13133729\/EOts.Bohemian.4G8T7257%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20268\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Endel Ots and Zen Elite\u2019s Bohemian perform an effortless canter pirouette at the 2024 Adequan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Global Dressage Festival in front of a growing crowd of spectators. \u00a9Susan J. Stickle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, he was campaigned first by Korean rider Dong Seon Kim and then Sweden\u2019s Patrik Kittel before being offered for sale again, which is when Zen Elite purchased him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe has very expressive eyes; you can read everything he\u2019s thinking just by looking at him,\u201d Ots said of the gelding. \u201cHe\u2019s a bit like a cat. If you\u2019re too needy, he\u2019ll let you know. But he loves treats and needs his mind to stay engaged. He\u2019s very intelligent and observant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bo had a standout first season with Ots, winning both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special in their first outing. Their next show marked their CDI debut, with a win in the Grand Prix out of 23 horses and second in the Special. They were short-listed for the U.S. team for the 2024 Paris Olympics and did their first European tour. Ultimately, the pair traveled to France, where they were the traveling reserve combination. While they didn\u2019t compete, it was an incredible learning experience for both.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their plans to make a World Cup Final bid in 2025 were sidelined after Bo was diagnosed with a sinus issue, and they stayed out of the show ring. In December, they returned to the national ring in what Ots hopes will be just the start to their journey to the FEI Dressage World Championships in Aachen, Germany, this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBo really thrives when he understands what\u2019s coming. He doesn\u2019t love surprises, but once he\u2019s in the arena, the outside world disappears,\u201d Ots said. \u201cHe can be a little looky on the outside of the ring, but once the test starts, he\u2019s completely focused. One thing we\u2019re always working on is having him wait and not anticipate movements too early. He\u2019s very willing and always trying, and that desire to work with you is what makes him so special.\u201d \u00a0<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>This article originally appeared in the Practical Horseman Spring 2026 Special Issue.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4428,"featured_media":20258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6487,6790,2],"tags":[155,6002,6001,1353,7281,7201,7282,7283,6840,7284,5819,6023,7285,6616],"class_list":["post-20256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plus","category-featured","category-lifestyle","tag-adrienne-lyle","tag-anna-marek","tag-christian-simonson","tag-endel-ots","tag-fayvel","tag-genay-vaughn","tag-gino","tag-hussmanns-topgun","tag-indian-rock","tag-jane","tag-katie-duerrhammer","tag-marcus-orlob","tag-rosebank-vh","tag-zen-elites-bohemian"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026 - Dressage Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dressage Today\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DressageToday\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-09T14:01:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-13T14:06:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kimberly Loushin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@dressagetoday\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@dressagetoday\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kimberly Loushin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kimberly Loushin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1790e01317945b772bb391a0ced6762d\"},\"headline\":\"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-09T14:01:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-13T14:06:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3989,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/13065713\\\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Adrienne Lyle\",\"Anna Marek\",\"christian simonson\",\"Endel Ots\",\"Fayvel\",\"Genay Vaughn\",\"Gino\",\"Hussmanns Topgun\",\"Indian Rock\",\"Jane\",\"Katie duerrhammer\",\"Marcus Orlob\",\"Rosebank VH\",\"Zen Elite's Bohemian\"],\"articleSection\":[\"DT+\",\"Featured\",\"Lifestyle\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/\",\"name\":\"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026 - Dressage Today\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/13065713\\\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-09T14:01:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-13T14:06:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/13065713\\\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/13065713\\\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/plus\\\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"DT+\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/category\\\/plus\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Dressage Today\",\"description\":\"Dressage Today is the training and educational resource for dressage riders at every level. Videos and instructional articles offer tips.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Dressage Today\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/10034527\\\/dressage-today-logo.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/10034527\\\/dressage-today-logo.jpg\",\"width\":818,\"height\":255,\"caption\":\"Dressage Today\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/DressageToday\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/dressagetoday\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/dressagetoday\",\"https:\\\/\\\/pinterest.com\\\/dressagetoday\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/DressageTodayMag\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1790e01317945b772bb391a0ced6762d\",\"name\":\"Kimberly Loushin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dressagetoday.com\\\/author\\\/kimberly-loushin\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026 - Dressage Today","description":"Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026","og_description":"Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.","og_url":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/","og_site_name":"Dressage Today","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DressageToday","article_published_time":"2026-05-09T14:01:03+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-13T14:06:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kimberly Loushin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@dressagetoday","twitter_site":"@dressagetoday","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kimberly Loushin","Est. reading time":"19 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/"},"author":{"name":"Kimberly Loushin","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#\/schema\/person\/1790e01317945b772bb391a0ced6762d"},"headline":"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026","datePublished":"2026-05-09T14:01:03+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-13T14:06:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/"},"wordCount":3989,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg","keywords":["Adrienne Lyle","Anna Marek","christian simonson","Endel Ots","Fayvel","Genay Vaughn","Gino","Hussmanns Topgun","Indian Rock","Jane","Katie duerrhammer","Marcus Orlob","Rosebank VH","Zen Elite's Bohemian"],"articleSection":["DT+","Featured","Lifestyle"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/","url":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/","name":"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026 - Dressage Today","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-05-09T14:01:03+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-13T14:06:01+00:00","description":"Meet the superstar U.S. dressage horses to watch at major competitions in the year ahead.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13065713\/AMarek.Fayvel.5G0Z2396%C2%A9SusanJStickle.com_-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/plus\/grace-in-motion-7-dressage-horses-to-watch-in-2026\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"DT+","item":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/category\/plus\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Grace in Motion:\u00a07 Dressage Horses to Watch in 2026"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/","name":"Dressage Today","description":"Dressage Today is the training and educational resource for dressage riders at every level. Videos and instructional articles offer tips.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#organization","name":"Dressage Today","url":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/10034527\/dressage-today-logo.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/10034527\/dressage-today-logo.jpg","width":818,"height":255,"caption":"Dressage Today"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DressageToday","https:\/\/x.com\/dressagetoday","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dressagetoday","https:\/\/pinterest.com\/dressagetoday","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/DressageTodayMag"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/#\/schema\/person\/1790e01317945b772bb391a0ced6762d","name":"Kimberly Loushin","url":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/author\/kimberly-loushin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4428"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20256\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}