WAYNE, Illinois, Aug. 29, 2026–Tuscany was ridden by Jessica Kozel Saturday to become the U.S. 5-year-old champion on the highest score so far at the 2026 Festival of Champions.
The judges praised Tuscany (Taurus x Cavallieri) as “spectacular” in awarding a score of 88.600%, with marks of 9 for trot, 9.5 for walk, 8.8 canter, 8 submission and 9 for perspective.
Tuscany is owned by Cynthia Perretti and was bred by Petra Kerschbaum, who has youngsters with some top riders and is an active media photographer in both Europe and the U.S. when she is off duty at a medical center in Vienna, Austria.
Lindsey Holleger, based in Aiken, South Carolina, was runner-up on the Dutch-bred mare WSI Royalty (Zackery x Sir Sinclair) on 83.600%. Individual marks were 9.2 for trot, 8.5 walk, 8 canter, 7.8 submission and 8.3 perspective.
Sonnenberg’s Royal Vegas competed by Mackenzie Peer for Sonnenberg Farm in Sherwood, Oregon was third on 82.200%
Janet Lee Foy, speaking for the four-judge panel, said she had thought before the competition “how awesome it would feel to have bred this horse. Now I’m getting all choked up.
“But really, it’s a spectacular horse, and I think we have to thank the breeders and really consider them when they do such an amazing job to bring us such amazing horses for this class.”
“Now, most of us personally know Petra and love her, so that makes it even more special.”
She added: “It’s so much fun to be able to judge a horse like this.”
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jessica Kozel (USA) Tuscany | 88.600% | ||||
| 2. | Lindsey Holleger (USA) WSI Royalty | 83.600% | ||||
| 3. | Mackenzie Peer (USA) Sonnenberg’s Royal Vegas | 82.200% | ||||
| 4. | Allison Nemeth (USA) Royal Indy VD | 82.100% | ||||
| 5. | Nora Batchelder (USA) RH Sirius Brown | 79.600% | ||||
| 6. | Brittany Burson (USA) Venturini | 79.200% | ||||
| 7. | Lindsey Holleger (USA) Galaxena | 79.200% | ||||
| 8. | Martin Kuhn (USA) Damascus EP | 78.600% | ||||
| 9. | Laura Abner (USA) Schickeria | 76.400% | ||||
| 10. | Lori Barrett (USA) Barbarella S | 73.200% | ||||
| 11. | Mila Perry (USA) Jabberwocky Eden | 72.100% | ||||
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
