July 9, 2026
The United States dressage team of four riders and horses for the World Championships in Aachen, Germany next month was announced Thursday by the U.S. Federation.
The team is:
–Ashley Holzer, 62, of Wellington, Florida and HAWTINS SAN FLORIANA, 14-year-old British-bred Hanoverian mare owned by Diane Fellows and Ashley
–Jordan LaPlaca, 38, of Ledyard, Connecticut and GOLD PLAY, 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Nancy Hutson and Jordan LaPlaca
–Christian Simonson, 23, of Wellington and FLEAU DE BAIAN, 16-year-old KWPN stallion owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center
–Geñay Vaughn, 32, of Elk Grove, California and GINO, 15-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Michele Vaughn.
Reserves are:
–Kasey Perry-Glass, 38, Wellington and HEARTBEAT W.P., 14-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Diane Perry and
–Meagan Davis, 36, of Loxahatchee, Florida and TORONTO LIGHTFOOT, 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Scott Durkin.
Ashley is one of the most experienced riders in North America having competed in four Olympics for Canada including the 1988 bronze medal team. She competed in three World Championships for Canada and in 2022 for the United States after changing her nation to ride for. She has also competed in two World Cup Finals and on Canada’s 2003 silver medal Pan American Games team.
Jordan on Gold Play has been on Nations Cup teams in Wellington and Hagen, Germany this year. Earlier in his equestrian career, he competed at international level driving.
Christian is the youngest on the team at age 23 but he was reserve champion on Indian Rock at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas last April. He won gold on Son of a Lady in Small Tour at the Pan American Games in 2023 as well as success in four North American Youth Championships.
Geñay competed Gino at the 2025 World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland and with different horses in three North American Youth Championships 2009-2012
