Aachen, Germany – August 21, 2026 – The Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team held on for a fourth-place finish at the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championship in Aachen, Germany, on Friday, August 21, 2026, anchored by a clear round from six-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) riding Michael Smith’s High Star Hero to finish on a team total of 16.85 penalty-points.

“McLain showed us tonight why he’s the anchor: he’s done it before, and that’s why he goes last,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, whose team started the evening under the lights of the Aachen stadium in silver-medal position. “We had quite a few high points—Katie came through for us on the second day, which was great because she didn’t have a great first day, and Laura and Lillie were consistent throughout. It wasn’t our night for the podium, but we still pulled together a strong performance against the world’s best combinations to finish in the top four out of 31 international teams.”

Ward spoke about High Star Hero, a 2013 Belgian Sport Horse gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Darco) cared for by Caroline Holmberg, after their clear round, saying, “For him to come back so fresh today is a test of stamina and I’m very pleased with him. I had to deliver a zero today and thank goodness for the ladies this week—they came through brilliantly and put us in a wonderful position.”

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Baloutinue brought two clear rounds forward to the final. However, one rail on the floor in the triple combination settled her on a tally of four penalty-points with the 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Balou du Rouet X Landor S), owned by St. Bride’s Farm, Inc., and cared for by Alex Tyler-Morris.

Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) also brought forward a clear slate with Chansonette Farm’s Fasther, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer) cared for by Anna Halász. An uncharacteristic rail at the first fence was eventually added to another late in the course for eight total penalty-points.

After rallying for a clear a day earlier, 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, retired after more trouble in the triple combination.

Individually, Kraut and Baloutinue are the highest-ranked U.S. combination, sitting 12th on 5.06 total penalties, while Ward and High Star Hero are slotted in 21st on 6.62 penalties. Both will advance to the individual final on Sunday, starting at 2:30 p.m. GMT+2/8:30 a.m. ET

Final Standings – FEI Jumping World Championship Team Final

1) Germany – 3.48 / 0 / 1 = 4.48

2) Belgium – 3.69 / 4 = 7.69

3) Great Britain – 4.98 / 4 / 4 = 12.98

4) United States of America – 4.85 / 0 / 12 = 16.85

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

Photos: © USEF / Shannon Brinkman Photo

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