Spotlight on the people behind dressage during the World Championships in Aachen

During the World Championships in Aachen, the spotlight was not solely on the riders and their horses. The people who contribute behind the scenes on a daily basis to the dressage horses’ performances also received the recognition they deserve. During this wonderful event, particular emphasis was placed on the important role played by grooms and owners.

After all, a top performance in dressage is never achieved in the competition arena alone. Behind every horse is a team that works hard every day. From daily care, training and preparation to the horse’s welfare whilst travelling and during the competition: the groom is an indispensable link. With their knowledge, dedication and eye for detail, they ensure that horses are optimally prepared and in the best possible condition when they take to the arena.

Owners also play a vital role in the sport. They help to ensure that horses can develop to the highest level and support the riders and their horses throughout their careers. A successful partnership is therefore the result of collaboration between the horse, rider, groom, owner and the entire team surrounding them.

It’s wonderful to see that at an event such as the World Championships in Aachen, the focus isn’t just on the performances in the arena, but also on the people who contribute to this every day. Because behind every champion there is a team that works together, looks after the horses, supports them and, above all, shares an enormous passion for them.

A well-deserved tribute to all the grooms, owners and other team members who give their all for their horses, day in, day out.

Aachen 2026: Glamourdale Airlines delivers double gold

Under the lights of Aachen’s iconic stadium and in front of a crowd of more than 40,000 spectators, the world’s best dressage combinations delivered a spectacular evening of freestyle competition. Leading the way was Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, who produced a breathtaking performance to claim a second freestyle gold medal and secure her title as a double World Champion.

Lottie delivered yet another back-to-back Gold performance, becoming the double World Champion for the second time aboard her own and Van Olst Horses’ Glamourdale. With her high-energy medley of flying-themed pop and classic songs, Lottie and Glamourdale glided around the stage in front of judges Maria Colliander (K – FIN), Clive Halsall (E – GBR), Maribel Alonso de Quinzaños (H – MEX), Ulrike Nivelle (C – GER), Alice Schwab (M – AUT), Michael Osinki (B – USA) and Kurt Christiansen (F – DEN) to finish on a fantastic 91.907%. This stunning score bests their winning score from the 2022 World Championships in Herning where they completed on 90.654%, and sat less than 0.9% away from their personal best that they achieved at the FEI European Championships in 2023. In their artistic marks, the pair achieved no less that 97.200%, with four of the judges on 99.000% or higher. For the technical, Lottie and Glamourdale achieved numerous 10’s throughout the canter work, leaving them with scores in the mid 80.000% from all of the judges.

Speaking about her performance on the Lord Leatherdale-sired stallion, Lottie quite simply said “It couldn’t be better for me”, going on further to explain “he was completely relaxed, he was super happy, we both enjoyed every second. We weren’t sweating, we weren’t out of breath, it was just so enjoyable”. Throughout the music, which included songs such as Frank Sinatras ‘Come Fly With Me’, Vengaboys’ ‘We’re Going to Ibiza’, John Denver’s ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’, and Nelly Furtado’s ‘I’m like a Bird’, Lottie described herself as “smiling throughout the test, I had to keep reminding myself to ‘concentrate… we’re at the World Championship!’, but it was the most amazing feeling in the world. This really was the best test of our lives so far so I do hope that we continue to improve but for now… this is just incredible.”

“It has been an amazing week, Glammy has performed beyond all of our expectations and he’s been a complete dream to ride from the stable to the arena he’s so happy here… he loves it. Before we went in to the main arena… he kept looking over there [the main arena] from the warm up every time they started clapping as if to go ‘can we go yet!’. I had to tell him it wasn’t our go yet, we have to wait! He was whinnying the whole way in, he was so excited to get in there, but as soon as you are in he is so quiet and calm… like this is his place.”

Speaking on the atmosphere of the crowd, Lottie described it as “amazing”, going on further to explain that “going in, you know it’s going to be a huge atmosphere, but you don’t really look up to have a look at what’s going on around you… but you can feel everyone there, especially when he does an extended canter, I can hear them which is really cool! … I’ve never ridden in quite an arena like that.”

Bron: British Dressage

2026 World Championships Freestyle: Fry and Glamourdale take GOLD once again

The world’s largest equestrian stadium – with 43,000 seated and 2,000 standing places – was sold out to the last seat this evening for the final of the dressage championship: the freestyle. With IOC President Kirsty Coventry in the stands, dressage provided a tremendous showcase for equestrian sport as a whole. Charlotte Fry, riding Glamourdale, also retained her freestyle title from Herning (91.907%), with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle (now close behind: 91.236%) taking silver once again. Both Wendy de Fontaine and Zonik Plus performed significantly better than in their previous two tests, both finishing in the 88 per cent range. The medal ultimately went to Isabell Werth, with Justin Verboomen finishing fourth. And had that not been the case, the judges would probably have been mobbed by the crowd.

Charlotte Fry makes history at the age of 30

It is Charlotte Fry who is making history here in Aachen. She is the first dressage rider to win four World Titles in a row. Isabell Werth never managed that. Nor did Anky van Grunsven. And she did it at the age of 30. Fry and Glamourdale were once again the undisputed World Champions. The rest simply couldn’t hold a candle to them. The first piaffe was the best piaffe Glamourdale has ever performed. The judges’ marks (7.9) were too low. The final score came in at 91.907 per cent, which – compared to the score in Herning (90.654 per cent) – is actually a bit low. But who cares?

Source: Horses.nl

Glamourdale also takes gold in the freestyle

Charlotte Fry and the KWPN-approved Glamourdale brought their golden World Championships week in Aachen to a stylish close. Following their victory in the Grand Prix Special, they also won the freestyle to music on Saturday evening. With their spectacular performance under floodlights, they scored 91.907 per cent, enabling Fry and Glamourdale to retain the world titles they won four years ago in Herning.

Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale out of Thuja stb pref prest by Negro, bred by Joop Rodenburg of Ouderkerk aan den IJssel) had to enter the arena immediately after reigning European champions Justin Verboomen and the KWPN-approved Zonik Plus (by Zonik). The Belgian pair had just taken the lead with 88.439 per cent and had already had the crowd on their feet.

Welcome to Glamourdale Airlines

Fry and the impressive stallion from Van Olst Horses had the crowd in the palm of their hands. The fifteen-year-old Glamourdale remained faultless and made a particularly strong impression during the canter sequence. The powerful extensions and expressive changes drew audible reactions from the crowd. Even before Fry and Glamourdale began their final AC line, a large section of the stadium was already on their feet. With a score of 91.907 per cent, they convincingly took the lead.

It couldn’t have gone better

“It was the most fantastic feeling in the world. We’ve never ridden a test like that before,” said Fry. “As soon as he enters the arena, he relaxes and we were both just able to enjoy it. It couldn’t have gone better and I couldn’t be happier. In Herning, it was as if Glammie still had something to prove to the world. This year, our whole team has put everything into this week. For it to turn out like this is a dream come true.

Source: KWPN

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

Glamourdale retains world title in the Grand Prix Special

Charlotte Fry and the KWPN stallion Glamourdale have once again claimed the world title in the Grand Prix Special at Aachen. With a convincing score of 82.295 per cent, they finished well ahead of the strong field.

The 15-year-old Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale) showed himself at his best in Aachen’s impressive Soers arena. Charlotte Fry presented the black stallion in a forward-moving and fluid test, in which his enormous, extended canter and expressive changes particularly impressed the judges.

Standing ovation

The crowd were already clapping enthusiastically on the final straight, and after the final bow the stadium erupted. Six of the seven judges awarded Fry and Glamourdale first place, and Fry was escorted out of the stadium to a standing ovation. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour rode Mount St John Freestyle to silver, meaning that Fry and Laudrup-Dufour, just as in Herning, took the top two places on the podium. Germany’s Katharina Hemmer, riding Denoix PCH and scoring 80.866 per cent, provided a new name on the podium.

Glamourdale goes from strength to strength in the arena

“I can hardly believe what’s just happened,” said Fry. “Glamourdale just kept giving. I thought: let’s play it safe, but he seemed to be saying: no, let’s take a risk. I’ve never ridden such a good test with him. I’ve no words to describe him. He’s an incredible horse.” According to Fry, Glamourdale really comes into his own in front of a large audience. “He thrives in an arena like this and enjoys it. He loves Aachen. When all eyes are on him, he steps it up a notch.”

He gives his all

Following the Olympic Games in Paris and the European Championships in Crozet, where the pair didn’t achieve their best results, the team continued to search for the ideal preparation. In Aachen, everything came together at just the right moment. “Glamourdale doesn’t need many competitions, because every time he steps into the ring, he gives his all. It’s incredible that, at the age of fifteen, he’s still improving. Peaking at exactly the right moment is incredibly difficult and truly a team effort. There’s a long period of preparation behind it, and we’re supported by a large team. Today I knew he could do this. When he feels like this, I know it’s going to be good.”

Source: KWPN

Glamourdale Leads British Team to Silver

The KWPN stallion and reigning world champion Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale) took third place in the individual competition with Charlotte Fry, scoring 80.311%, and also led the British team—which included three Dutch horses—to a team silver medal. Great Escape Camelot was part of the gold-medal-winning German team.

In the thrilling Nations Cup, Germany took gold on home soil, Great Britain claimed silver, and Denmark secured bronze. The Netherlands finished fifth behind Belgium.

Glamourdale Loves Aachen

Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale out of Thuja pref prest by Negro, bred by J.W. Rodenburg, owned by Van Olst Horses from Den Hout) also showed under Charlotte Fry that he is in top form, and they will do their very best to defend their individual gold. “Glamourdale loves Aachen. The whole test felt like a highlight, even though we had a minor miscommunication in the first piaffe, but I got him back on track quickly. Glammie helped me tremendously throughout the test—it couldn’t have gone better,” Fry laughs.

Source: KWPN

King Glamourdale

Tatum v. Secret Lover qualifies for the NMK via a superb EPTM performance

A high-calibre group of mares took part in the EPTM exam in Ermelo on Friday 7 August. “We’ve had a good day today and are delighted with the results the mares have achieved,” explains Luuk Smeters. “After seven weeks of training and selection, we finally went into the final exam with a fine group of mares.”

 

Invitation to the NMK

The Secret Lover daughter Tatum (out of Nova Liz elite IBOP dressage sport-dressage D-OC by Everdale), bred by Van Olst Horses from Den Hout, received a 9 for her canter and achieved a total score of 85. She also received 80 points for conformation and an invitation to the NMK. “A mare with great breed character, possessing very good connections in the topline and a strong foundation. Under saddle, she is an elegant, youthful mare with a highly functional walk. She has ample reach and always walks with good drive and excellent rhythm. In trot, this mare displays great stride and leg action, whilst remaining very light-footed and moving freely through her body. Her most striking gait is the canter, in which she displays excellent balance and cantres beautifully from hind to fore, moving uphill with great ease and the ability to change leads. Furthermore, this mare is very rideable; she has plenty of drive and is always keen to work. A very well-rounded mare.”

 

Tatum is a half-sister to Taeke (by O’Frederic), who was awarded KWPN premium status this year; both horses are by Nova Liz (by Everdale) and were born in 2023 via embryo transfer.

 

Source: KWPN

KWPN stallion Pjethro (by Kjento) sold to the USA

Very recently, the KWPN stallion Pjethro (Kjento out of Jaomie elite IBOP-dress D-OC by Desperado, breeder A.J. Beerens, De Moer), approved by multiple studbooks, was sold to the USA.
Due to this recently completed sale and the impending export, Pjethro will not participate in the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden.
The super talented Pjethro, who demonstrated his talents under Lottie Fry (2nd Pavo Cup 2025, 3x stallion competition winner season 2025/2026), has been sold to the couple Fritz and Claudine Kundrun.
In addition to his superb sporting qualities, Pjethro also impresses with his offspring. It was agreed in the sale that the entire stock of frozen semen remains the property of Van Olst Horses, so that Pjethro remains available to European breeding through Van Olst Horses.