In an electric atmosphere in Fort Worth, Becky Moody took the lead of the FEI Dressage World Cup Final from day one. With her trusted Jagerbomb, the Brit edges ahead of young American Christian Simonson and Patrik Kittel. But nothing is decided yet: Saturday’s Kür resets the scores.

Jagerbomb, a homebred on display

Holding her nerve was essential. Becky Moody did just that, and in style. Last to go in this opening Grand Prix in Fort Worth, the Brit delivered a solid, clean, almost clinical test.

Result: 76.761%. Enough to take the lead and send a clear message to the competition.

Her partner? Jagerbomb, a KWPN gelding born… at home. A homebred shaped with patience and partnership. And it shows. Combining power and elasticity, the pair displays a rare harmony at this level.

“He’s my baby,” she says. A relationship that weighs heavily when the pressure rises.

Simonson, 23 and already among the elite

The sensation of the day comes from the United States.
At just 23, Christian Simonson secured second place with 75.413% in his first final.

Riding Indian Rock, former star mount of Emmelie Scholtens, the American long believed he had the win in hand. An impressive piaffe, an engaged test, and above all remarkable composure.

“Surreal,” he said after his performance.

The youngster is no longer an outsider. He is already a serious threat for the Kür.

Kittel solid, but not sharp

The 2024 World Cup winner, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, completes the podium with 72.869% on Touchdown.

We’ve seen him more incisive. Notably due to a flawed halt at entry, “very costly,” in his own words. What followed was clean, with no major mistakes, but lacked the brilliance needed to trouble the two leaders.

No panic, however: Kittel is waiting for the Kür, his favorite playground. And he says it plainly—he still has cards to play.

The Grand Prix, a no-frills benchmark

No music. No choreography.
The Grand Prix is the raw test.

Same test for everyone. Same demands. Judges scrutinize everything: accuracy, transitions, attitude, connection.

And some pitfalls always take their toll—halt and rein-back at the top of the list. In a packed Dickies Arena, every detail matters.

Mendoza Loor, the fairytale for $20

Impossible to ignore Julio Mendoza Loor.
The Ecuadorian opened the competition with 72.000% on Jewel’s Goldstrike… a horse bought for $20 from a friend.

Yes, $20.

Leading for a good part of the class, the Pan American champion eventually finished fourth, but with palpable emotion.

“It’s a fairytale,” he says. Hard to argue.

The rest: Sysojeva, Treffinger, Fairchild, Barbançon

Behind the leading quartet, the hierarchy is taking shape:

• Sandra Sysojeva (POL) with Maxima Bella
• Moritz Treffinger (GER) with Fiderdance
• Alexa Fairchild (BEL) with Fairplay
• Morgan Barbançon (FRA) with Sir Donnerhall II OLD

A Belgian presence worth noting in the top 8, with Fairchild confirming her consistency on the indoor circuit.

A Kür without a safety net

No points carried forward. Everything starts from scratch.

With Charlotte Fry, the 2025 title holder, absent, the path is open. Can Becky Moody extend British dominance? Or will we witness the emergence of a new face?

Answer Saturday evening.

And one thing is certain: between Simonson’s freshness, Kittel’s experience, and Moody’s momentum, the battle promises to be explosive.

Find the full results of the Grand Prix of the Dressage World Cup Final here.

(Photos © FEI/Shannon Brinkman)