Often described as the pursuit of perfection, Dressage is the ultimate expression of horse and athlete working in harmony. The emotional intensity and attention to detail is awe-inspiring, as is the determination and tenacity which drives the Para Dressage athletes in their quest for excellence.

2018 FEI Dressage facts and figures

2018 FEI Para Dressage facts and figures

Top 3 NFs with events in Dressage:

Greatest increase since 2017: Poland with +23 events

Top 3 NFs with registered athletes in Dressage

Greatest increase since 2017: Germany with +53 athletes

Top 3 NFs with registered athletes in Para Dressage

Greatest increase since 2017: Australia with +6 athletes

Top 3 NFs with registered horses in Dressage

Greatest increase since 2017: Germany with +115 horses

Top 3 NFs with registered horses in Para Dressage:

Greatest increase since 2017: Germany with +13 horses

Major Events in 2018

Definitely, a year to remember! Isabell Werth reigned supreme when it came to the major titles such as the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals in Paris (FRA) and the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon (USA). History was also rewritten in Tryon when the Netherlands scooped the World Para Dressage team title ahead of Great Britain, previously undefeated at World, Paralympic and European Championship level. Other major events included the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ series and the FEI Dressage World Championship for Young Horses in Ermelo (NED).

• Check out all the latest Dressage sporting highlights on our dedicated FEI Dressage playlist on YouTube
• Watch all the main events live and on replay on FEI.TV
• Follow Dressage and Para Dressage on our dedicated Facebook page

FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, Paris (FRA)

Germany proved to be very strong once again at this 32^nd edition of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final. In a dramatic conclusion to an extraordinary battle between two mighty forces – Germany and USA – it was Isabell Werth (GER) who came through with a back-to-back victory. Werth, who won this prestigious title for the first time in 1992, mustered all the skill and experience of a lifetime to squeeze her rival Laura Graves out of pole position with the winning mark of 90.657. Laura Graves (USA), winner of the Grand Prix, finished second ahead of Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) in third.

Podium

FEI World Equestrian Games™, Tryon (USA)

Dressage:

With their brilliant performances, Team Germany heard the national anthem resonate across the US Trust arena as they secured their 12^th victory in the 52-year history of the FEI World Dressage Championships, and the seventh in the eight editions of FEI World Equestrian Games™. Host nation USA won silver and Great Britain took home the bronze.

The battle for individual honours already witnessed in Paris between Isabell Werth (GER) and Laura Graves (USA) continued in Tryon. Werth was under maximum pressure when last into the arena, with America’s Laura Graves (31) and Verdades holding on to gold ahead of Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle, as Werth and Bella Rose set off down the centre line. Once again she demonstrated exactly why she is the most medalled athlete in the history of equestrian sport, and took the World Champion title together with her unbelievable mare, back at the top-level after a lengthy lay-off. Unfortunately, due to the extreme rainfall due to the impact of Hurricane Florence, the Grand Prix Freestyle had to be cancelled.

Team Dressage Podium

Individual Dressage Podium

Para Dressage:

A historic team win for the Netherlands – the first time any nation other than Great Britain had taken home the team title. There was also plenty of success for the Netherlands on the individual front with Sanne Voets and Rixt Van Der Horst winning double gold in Grades IV and III, taking the Dutch gold medal tally to five, putting an end to British dominance. The British had to content themselves with two gold medals won by Sophie Wells, and a team silver while Italy’s Sara Morganti and Denmark’s Stinna Tange Kaastrup also picked up double gold in Grades I and II.

Team Podium

Grade I Podium – Individual

Grade I Podium – Freestyle

Grade II Podium – Individual

Grade II Podium – Freestyle

Grade III Podium – Individual

Grade III Podium – Freestyle

Grade IV Podium – Individual

Grade IV Podium – Freestyle

Grade V Podium – Individual

Grade V Podium – Freestyle

FEI Dressage Nations Cup™

In 2018, Sweden led the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™, finishing nine points ahead of the Netherlands while Denmark closed in on third place. With victories in Compiègne (FRA) and on home ground in Falsterbo, as well as an excellent second place in Rotterdam (NED), the Swedes were clearly on a roll.

Team Podium

FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships, Ermelo (NED)

The next generation of Dressage superstars showcased their skills at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Ermelo this year. Over 100 horses, aged five, six and seven, demonstrated their potential in their respective categories. Westphalian stallion Revolution, also nicknamed “Powerhouse”, scooped the five-year-old division, while D’Avie triumphed in the six-year-olds under Spanish rider Severo Jurado Lopez. Show stealer in the seven-year-olds was Glamourdale ridden by Charlotte Fry (GBR), winner of the Freestyle Grand Prix at the FEI European Dressage U25 Championships 2018 in Exloo (NED).

5 Year Old Podium

6 Year Old Podium

7 Year Old Podium