“He's never experienced a games before, and especially not with an atmosphere and the feeling like it is going into (the arena in) Aachen!” said Brittany.
August 12, 2026 - Aachen, Germany – One of Canada’s most experienced upper-level dressage riders, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu arrived at Aachen as the country's highest-ranked Grand Prix athlete in the lead-up to the 2026 World Championships. Wednesday afternoon in Aachen, she and “Jac” proved they can more than hold their own in this company, performing with strength and style to earn an overall score of 71.926% -- good enough for 22nd place and an all-important spot in the Grand Prix Special competition.
Her mount is Jill Irving's Jaccardo, a 2014 KWPN gelding by Desperado out of a Jazz mare. They performed their first Grand Prix together almost exactly one year ago in Bromont, Quebec
Brittany Fraser Beaulieu and Jaccardo. Photo by Cealy Tetley
“He's never experienced a games before, and especially not with an atmosphere and the feeling like it is going into (the arena in) Aachen!” said Brittany. “He trotted down around that ring and he felt like he was saying "Here I am!”, and I thought, "Wow!!” because when you take a new horse to a games, you're just not sure how they're going to deal with the atmosphere. It's hard to practice. I really wasn't sure how he would cope with it all, but he went in there and he owned it. I had a small mistake in one of my flying changes in the zigzag sequence, which I'm sure was a bit costly.
“He had total confidence in me. He was totally confident within himself. He finds everything effortless, he's small and he's so soft. The movements are very easy for him. It's just gaining the control within the movement that I still have to work on, but that takes time and practice.”
Two-time Olympian Chris von Martels rode Daniel Gauthier’s Londoncrown (2013 Hanoverian mare, Londontime X San Amour I) in the morning session. A couple of small errors unfortunately dropped them out of contention, but Chris made a point to mention Londoncrown is still a little new to the level, and there was much he was proud about today.
Chris von.Martels and Londoncrown. Photo by Cealy Tetley
“Our test today was not really the test I was hoping for, but it had many good parts that I was happy with. (London) is still a little green at the level, so when we are able to have a fault-free test she is very good. I believe in her a lot, she’s a horse that always wants to try hard and truly give her best. If she makes some mistakes I can’t be that upset about it. The sportsman in me always wants to do my best, but the horseman in me understands that we all make mistakes and it’s ok.
“This is our first true Grand Prix season together. She first came into my stable to be sold, and after a few months I called the owners and asked them if we could think about a different long-term plan for her because she’s a really nice horse! Thankfully they agreed and they have been extremely supportive. I also really want to take my time with her – she is a very special horse both talent wise and personality wise. When she really wants to do it for you she does give her heart and soul. I think her best years are the next ones coming.”
Team Technical Advisor Jordi Domingo-Coll reflected on the day: “Today brought different challenges for our team. Our first horse Londoncrown was a little impressed by the incredible atmosphere here in Aachen, which made it difficult for the combination to show the quality we know they have. That is part of championship sport, and I’m proud of how they managed the situation and kept fighting until the end.
Photo by Cealy Tetley
“This afternoon, Brittany delivered a fantastic ride under pressure. She showed confidence and determination, producing a performance that moved Canada up the rankings and gave the team a strong finish to the day.
“I’m very proud of all four of our combinations. They represented Canada with professionalism, determination and great team spirit throughout these two days. There is a lot to be excited about for the future.
I also want to wish the very best of luck to all the other Canadian athletes competing across the different disciplines here in Aachen. We will be supporting and cheering for Team Canada all the way. Go Canada!”
Canada’s dressage team finishes the Team competition in ninth place overall. The experienced teams from Germany, Great Britain and Denmark topped the podium first through third respectively. The most recent time Canada’s senior dressage team finished in the top 10 at a World Championship/World Equestrian Games was 2014, at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy, France, where Canada finished 9th in team competition.
Jessica Phoenix Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Cealy Tetley
Multiple Pan-American Games medalist and Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix is riding as an individual this week and presented Fluorescent Adolescent to the ground jury and veterinary panel for inspection Wednesday morning. “Lacey” as she is called at home was declared fit and ready to compete. They will perform their dressage test Thursday afternoon at 16:18 local time, followed by Saturday’s exciting cross-country phase and Sunday’s final horse-inspection ahead of the show jumping phase to determine the medals.
Competition begins Thursday August 13 for our Canadian Vaulters. We have competitors across multiple divisons over the coming days:
Thursday, August 13 - Compulsory Tests (all start times local)
Female Individual 08:30
• Averill Saunders
• Megan Leeper
• Charlotte Axani
Male Individual 13:30
• Talmage Conrad
Friday, August 14
Technical Tests & Pas De Deux
Female Individual - Technical 08:30
• Averill Saunders
• Megan Leeper
• Charlotte Axani
Male Individual - Technical 17:00
• Talmage Conrad
Pas De Deux - Round 1 19:00
• Megan Leeper & Katherine Van Den Bosch
• Katelyn Foss & Jacynda Row
Saturday, August 15
World Championship Finals
Female Individual - Free Test 08:00
• Averill Saunders
• Megan Leeper
• Charlotte Axani
Male Individual - Free Test 13:15
• Talmage Conrad
Sunday, August 16
Pas De Deux Final 09:30
• Megan Leeper & Katherine Van Den Bosch
• Katelyn Foss & Jacynda Row
About the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026
Aachen is continuing its tradition of hosting numerous World and European Championships: Following the FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 and the European Championships 2015, the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 will once again be one of the biggest equestrian sport events of the coming years.
FEI World Championships Aachen by the Numbers – Dressage
• 91 horse and rider combinations
• 19 teams with 3-4 riders each
• 17 individual riders
• Competitions: Grand Prix (Tuesday and Wednesday) / Grand Prix Spécial / Grand Prix Freestyle
• Team Final: Wednesday
• Individual Final Grand Prix Spécial: Friday
• Individual Final Grand Prix Freestyle: Saturday evening under floodlights
The World Championships will host six disciplines: Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Para Dressage, Driving and Vaulting.
Participants and horses:
Overall: 879 from just under 70 nations
Participants FEI World Championships: 814 with 814 horses
Participants in the youth competitions: 65 with 65 horses
Additional horses for the Opening Ceremony: 250
Find more information at www.Aachen2026.com
About Equestrian Canada
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 7500 horses, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada. EC is a Canadian registered charity as a Registered Charity Amateur Athletic Assocation (RCAAA) and thanks the Government of Canada for their financial support.
Team Canada is supported by Mad Barn, Ecclestone Horse Transport Inc. (EHT), 4CYTE™, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, the Government of Canada, Ogilvy Equestrian, LeMieux, Prostock Athletic Supply Ltd, and Talisman Custom Fly Bonnets.
Photos: Cealy Tetley
Source: Equestrian Canada