2026 GPS World Championships: Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale retain their world title

Four years ago, Glamourdale became a double World Champion in Herning. Now, four years later in Aachen, he has once again been crowned World Champion in the Grand Prix Spécial. Without a single break, he and Charlotte Fry brought home medals from every championship to Gertjan and Anne van Olst in Den Hout, and also competed in the World Cup season on three occasions. And now – where the best chances were thought to lie with Freestyle (silver), Zonik Plus (5th), Wendy (4th) and, since Wednesday, Denoix PCH (bronze) – it’s GOLD once again. With a well-deserved 82.295 per cent and a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted several minutes. Huge credit to Charlotte Fry, to her trainer Anne van Olst and her husband Gertjan van Olst, who still allowed Glamourdale to be covered. None of the other horses in the top ranks were present in Herning. Now that’s what you call sustainable success.

Rarely has a dressage championship been so thrilling. With six pairs (from five different countries) theoretically in contention for a medal, it really came down to the best performance. And the best performance won by a clear margin. And it’s worth saying for once: the judging was spot on!

Ridden by Charlotte Fry, Glamourdale produced the best test of his life in Aachen, thereby becoming a more than deserved World Champion. With 82.295 per cent, he pulled clear of the competition. The test was faultless; Glamourdale moved harmoniously, over his back, with swing, reaching upwards and with length. And he produced the best piaffes (the second and the last

On the final straight, the crowd (including the Dutch Glamourdale fans in the competitors’ stand) could no longer contain their excitement, and Glamourdale, carried by the crowd, raced to the world title. The 40,000 spectators in the stands, many of whom were just as knowledgeable about dressage as the judges, also made it clear that this was the winner. The first standing ovation. And it lasted for minutes on end.

Source: Horses.nl