The four team combinations and individual combination will be confirmed prior to the start of the Championship. The Squad will be led by Chef d’Equipe and High Performance Manager, Leslie Law, alongside High Performance Advisor Karyn Shuter and Team Leader Christina Vaughn.
The following combinations have been selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships and are listed in alphabetical order.
Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group, and cared for by Erin Jarboe
Diabolo began his career in Australia with the Tinneys and was competed extensively with success by Gemma before behind sold to Will Coleman via equine agent Sharon Ridgway.
Read more: SHARON RIDGWAY’S PERFECT MATCH – Equestrian Life, May 2026
Direct Reserves: Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x ARD Ohio) owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, and Very Dignified, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Ricardo Z) owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen, and Elizabeth Lendrum, both cared for by Erin Jarboe
Phillip Dutton and Possante, a 2013 KWPN gelding (Namelus R x Otangelo) owned by The Possante Group, and cared for by Emma Yanek
Australian-born, Phillip previously competed for Australia at four consecutive World Championships from 1994 to 2006 and also represented Australia at three Olympics: Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004. He won back-to-back team gold medals at the Atlanta (riding True Blue Girdwood) and Sydney (riding House Doctor).
Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R. x Cobra) owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers, and cared for by Stephanie Simpson
Also Australian-born, Boyd previously represented Australia at Young Rider level and was long-listed for three Olympic teams while riding under the Aussie flag.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Kannan) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, and Deniz Pamukcu, and cared for by Chloe Teahan
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3, a 2016 Holsteiner mare (SIEC Livello x Calidio I) owned by Molly and Jennifer Duda, and cared for by Savannah Gwin
The following combinations have been selected as alternates and are listed in alphabetical order.
Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pa.) and FE Lifestyle, a 2010 Warmblood gelding (Leo von Faelz x Brandenburger) owned by Tim and Nina Gardner
Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.) and Kapriccio, 2015 KWPN gelding (Dexter R x Carambo) owned by Helen and Hallie Coon
Tiana Coudray (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and D’Artagnan, a 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini II) owned by Kyrle Arscott, Tiana Coudray, and Annabelle James
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Denim, a 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Dinken x Ibisco) owned by Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites
Sydney Elliott (Hoffman, N.C.) and QC Diamantaire, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Diarado x Sandro Hit) owned by Carol Stephens
Emily Hamel (Aiken, S.C.) and Corvett, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Corrido x Clearway) owned by Black Flag Option, LLC
Allie Knowles (Lexington, Ky.) and Montpellier Scais, a 2017 Anglo European Sporthorse gelding (Quasimodo van de Molendreef x Indoctro) owned by Katherine O’Brien
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Shanroe Cooley, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dallas VDL x Condios) owned by Dallas LLC
Source: USA Eventing press release
