Aachen, Germany – August 20, 2026 – The Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team will advance to the Team Final sitting second after the first two rounds of competition at the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championship hosted in Aachen, Germany, and running from August 17-23, 2026.

On an overnight score of 4.85 penalty points from Wednesday, the team produced three clear rounds from Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), riding Baloutinue, Katie Dinan (New York, N.Y.) with Out of the Blue SCF; and Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) on Fasther. No penalty-points were added to their overall tally after Thursday’s second round.

“Fasther jumped fantastic today,” said Keenan of her partner, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer) owned by Chansonette Farm, and cared for by Anna Halász, who posted two clear rounds in as many days. “We were eager to secure three clear rounds today, and it was great that we could do it with our first three riders. He is the type of horse that knows when it’s a big moment.”

Continuing about the opportunity to represent the Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team, Keenan said, “Anytime you get to represent your country, it is the most incredible feeling and opportunity. To represent something bigger than yourself, especially alongside such talented riders, you want to make the most of it.” ?

Both Keenan on Fasther and Kraut, the latter riding Baloutinue, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Balou du Rouet X Landor S), owned by St. Bride’s Farm, Inc., and cared for by Alex Tyler-Morris—jumped two pivotal clear rounds in as many days for their team.

Dinan came back from an eight-fault round a day earlier to post a high-stakes clear aboard 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.

“My horse has been great the whole time, but I made riding mistakes yesterday, so I am thrilled I could come back today and deliver a clear round for the USA,” said Dinan. “I knew after we jumped the first two jumps that she was right there with me.?I just needed to give her the guidance she deserves, and I felt like we were both fighting for the clear round.”

An unlucky rail fell late in the course for McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Michael Smith’s High Star Hero, a 2013 Belgian Sport Horse gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Darco), cared for by Caroline Holmberg. The four faults earned as a result were erased as the team’s drop score, leaving them on zero ahead of Friday’s final.

Individually, Kraut and Baloutinue are the highest-ranked U.S. combination, sitting in seventh on 1.06 total penalties, while Keenan and Fasther are slotted closely behind, in ninth place on 1.17 penalties. 

The top ten teams will advance to the next round, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. GMT+2/12:30 p.m. ET on Friday, August 21, to determine team medals. Competition for individual medals on Sunday, August 23, will start with Round A at 2:20 p.m. GMT+2/8:20 a.m. ET and conclude with the final individual jumping at around 4:20 p.m. GMT+2/10:20 a.m. ET to conclude the two-week-long championship.

Team Standings – After the Second Team Competition – Mercedes-Benz Prize

1) Germany – 3.48 / 0 = 3.48

2) United States of America – 4.85 / 0 = 4.85

3) Belgium – 3.69 / 4 = 7.69

7) Laura Kraut (USA) & Baloutinue – 1.06 + 0 = 1.06

9) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Fasther – 1.17 + 0 = 01.17

56) McLain Ward (USA) & High Star Hero – 2.62 + 4 = 6.62

81) Katherine Dinan (USA) & Out of the Blue SCF – 10.91 / 0 = 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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