Celebrating the present, building the future: Jumping in 2026

By Todd Hinde

FEI Director Jumping

As we look ahead, it is clear that 2026 will be another landmark year for Jumping—one filled with unforgettable moments, major milestones, and meaningful challenges.

It brings a compelling mix of tradition and innovation: the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final moves to a new city, the FEI Jumping World Championship returns to Aachen, Germany—one of the sport’s most iconic venues—exactly 20 years after it was last staged there, and the Longines League of Nations™ continues to raise the bar for elite team competition.

Just as importantly, 2026 reinforces the FEI’s long-term commitment to the future of the discipline. The growth of our sport depends not only on the champions we celebrate today, but on the young talent we educate and inspire for tomorrow. That focus is underscored by the Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in November in Dakar, Senegal.

While trophies and titles often dominate headlines, one of the FEI’s most important responsibilities is investing in the talent who will carry this sport forward.

Youth involvement is a top priority for the FEI in 2026, and for good reason. We are seeing strong engagement from young athletes, and we know that the experiences they have early in their careers will shape the riders, professionals, and ambassadors they become.

Talent alone, however, is not enough. Modern sport demands education, awareness, responsibility, and above all, respect of and dedication to horse welfare. That is why one of our key initiatives this year is the Youth Education Programme.

This programme delivers meaningful educational content tailored to young athletes across Jumping, covering topics that reflect the realities of being a modern competitor, including: equine welfare, anti-doping, professionalism and athlete presentation, media and communications as well as governance.

These topics are not optional extras—they are foundational. They influence how athletes understand and address the needs of their horses, handle pressure, represent themselves and their sport, and how they make decisions that affect the integrity of competition and, ultimately, their careers.

In today’s world, young athletes are not only competitors. They are public figures, role models, and often leaders within their communities. Giving them the tools to understand equine welfare, communication, and sport values is not just beneficial—it is essential.

A dedicated session at the upcoming FEI Sports Forum will focus on youth and the pathway from grassroots participation to the elite level. The event will take place in person in Lausanne and will also be livestreamed online. I am particularly looking forward to hearing the perspectives of the young athletes on the panel, whose insights will be central to the discussion.

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final has always held a special place in our sport. It rewards horsemanship, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure when it matters most. Ever since the series’ creation in 1978, the Final has been the stage where legends are made.

Hosting the Final in Fort Worth – the most typically Texan of all Texas cities – marks an exciting new chapter. New hosts bring fresh audiences, new energy, and a distinct identity—signalling not just change, but the continued evolution and global reach of Jumping.

From its earliest days, the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final has produced history-makers. Hugo Simon (AUT) was the first athlete to claim three victories, helping define what greatness looks like in this series. He was followed by Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Marcus Ehning (GER), and Steve Guerdat (SUI)—each a three-time winner, each proving that sustained excellence at this level demands far more than raw talent.

There are also stories that remind us of the power of youth and boldness. The victory of Mario Deslauriers (CAN) in 1984 at just 19 years old, which made him the youngest rider ever to take the title, remains a striking example of how fearlessness and belief can change the course of history.

Legendary horses have been just as central to the story. Baloubet du Rouet and Shutterfly have each had their names engraved on the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final trophy three times, while icons such as Milton, Big Ben, E.T. FRH, and more recently King Edward, have secured the title twice—each leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

From the World Cup Final, attention turns to the FEI Jumping World Championship—and few venues could offer a more fitting stage than Germany’s Aachen.

Exactly 20 years after last hosting the Championships, Aachen welcomes the world back once again. This is more than just a venue; it is an experience. For athletes, Aachen represents tradition and prestige. For fans, it is Jumping at its absolute highest level. The moment you enter the arena, the weight of history is unmistakable.

In 2006, Aachen crowned Jos Lansink (BEL) and Cavalor Cumano as World Champions—a combination that delivered exactly what a championship demands. That event also highlighted the unique pressure of championship jump-offs, where precision and nerve are tested to the limit.

This year’s World Championship carries added significance. Beyond the fight for medals, it marks the first major step on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games. In Aachen, the first nations will secure Olympic qualification—a powerful incentive that sharpens focus, intensifies preparation, and raises the stakes for every team.

Now in its third season, the Longines League of Nations™ continues to establish itself as one of the most compelling team competitions in the sport. It delivers pressure, excitement, and intensity—every round, every jump, every result matters.

One of the most exciting storylines in 2026 is Brazil’s return to the top 10 in the Longines League of Nations™ rankings. Their resurgence adds another layer of competitiveness and reflects the truly global nature of Jumping.

For every team, the goal is clear: qualification for the Final in Barcelona in October. Reaching that stage is not just about prestige—it is proof of consistency, resilience, and being among the very best team performers of the season.

Alongside the senior World Championship, we also look ahead to November and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, where 24 riders from 24 nations will come together to compete on a unique stage.

The impact of the Youth Olympic Games is clear. When we look at past participants and where they are today, the strength of this pathway speaks for itself. Riders such as Martin Fuchs (SUI), Michael Duffy (IRL), Giacomo Casadei (ITA), and Omar Al Marzooqi (UAE) have all gone on to represent their countries and perform at the very highest level of the sport.

One word defines 2026 for me: momentum.

Momentum from Fort Worth, momentum from Aachen, momentum from the Longines League of Nations™, momentum toward the future of our sport in Dakar.

We are not simply moving from one major event to the next. We are creating pathways, building careers, and strengthening Jumping from youth development to elite performance and professionalism.

The fences will be big. The margins will be small. The pressure will be real.

And that is exactly what makes Jumping so special.

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