April 2, 2026 
Two former World Cup champions will not be aiming for repeat titles at the 2026 World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, Texas next week.
USA’s McLain Ward is recovering from a minor injury and has withdrawn Jordan Molga M from the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final. Ward won the 2017 World Cup Final in Omaha aboard HH Azur, sweeping all four rounds of competition.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On will fill his spot. Keenan and the 12-year-old British Sport Horse stallion made their World Cup Final debut in 2025, finishing 11th.
Charlotte Dujardin’s World Cup hopes have also come to a premature end. The two-time World Cup champion (2014 & 2015) was awarded one of two extra starting places for the Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2026 but has withdrawn Alive and Kicking for unspecified reasons. The British Equestrian Federation noted that her decision is unrelated to a recent warm-up video in Amsterdam that has prompted scrutiny.
Ben Ebeling and Bellena were allocated the starting place, joining world no. 9 Christian Simonson with Indian Rock and world no. 33 Kevin Kohmann with Dünensee in the American lineup.
Germany’s Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks have also pulled out of the Jumping Final, while Germany’s Raphael Netz has changed mounts, subbing Great Escape Camelot with DSP Dieudonne.
The 2026 FEI World Cup Finals hosted in Fort Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena from April 8-12, 2026.
