Aachen, Germany – August 19, 2026 – The Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team started competition with a strong opening day at the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championship hosted in Aachen, Germany, and running from August 17-23, 2026. 

“We are within striking distance of a team medal, even in this early stage of the game, which was the plan,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “This is a major championship—and Aachen on top of that—for us, it’s very important. We always aim to be on the podium, and we are going to give it our best shot.”

Clear rounds from Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) riding Baloutinue and Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) on Fasther in the Table C speed competition, where faults are converted into time penalties, kept both pairs less than two points away from the lead and anchored the team on an overnight score of 4.85 penalties. 

Kraut returns to Aachen in her fourth World Championship appearance after competing at the venue in the 2006 edition of the championship, where she helped the U.S. Jumping Team earn team silver. Twenty years later, and this time aboard her Olympic mount, Baloutinue, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Balou du Rouet X Landor S), jumped clear in 72.72 seconds to finish 11th on 1.06 converted penalties. 

“I am absolutely thrilled—he could not have been better,” said Kraut about “Balou”, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, Inc., and cared for by Alex Tyler-Morris. “Today was definitely a very open galloping course, which I wouldn’t say is normally my horse’s forte. He’s really quick at turning, but he handled it great. He has taken me places I’ve only dreamt of, and not only got me there, but arrived in style and pulled off beautiful rounds. Today, I’m just so proud of him.”

Keenan and Fasther, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer) owned by Chansonette Farm, and cared for by Anna Halász, ended the day sitting 14th overall after a clear round across the jumps was converted to 1.17 penalties. 

An unlucky rail fell late in the course for McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and High Star Hero to add four time penalties to his quick time of 71.83. The six-time U.S. Olympian with Michael Smith’s 2013 Belgian Sport Horse gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Darco), cared for by Caroline Holmberg, are within the top 35 on a score of 2.62.

Katie Dinan (New York, N.Y.) and Out of the Blue SCF, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Verdi TN x San Patrignano Cassini), owned by Grant Road Partners LLC, and cared for by Lou Beudin, were the final pair to take to the stadium for the team. Two rails fell for eight penalties and a final score 10.91.

Action returns with the first round of team competition at 10:30 a.m. GMT+2/4:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 20, with the top ten teams advancing to the second round, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. GMT+2/12:30 p.m. ET on Friday, August 21, to determine team medals.

Final Results – €100,000 First Competition – Team & Individual Qualifier Turkish Airlines-Prize CSIO 5*

11) Laura Kraut (USA) & Baloutinue – 0 / 72. 72 – 1.06

14) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Fasther – 0 / 72.94 – 1.17

33) McLain Ward (USA) & High Star Hero – 4 + 71.83 = 75.83 – 2.62

121) Katherine Dinan (USA) & Out of the Blue SCF – 8 / 84.41 – 10.91

Source: Press Release by US Equestrian Communications Dept USEF – United States Equestrian Federation / US Equestrian

Photos: © USEF / Shannon Brinkman Photo

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