Equestrian Sports NZ has launched "Fly the Fern" - a fundraising initiative that aims to raise money to fly all discipline horses to the 2026 FEI World Championships
As well as the ‘all-in’ initiatives, each discipline will also raise their own funds separately which will remain in their purses. Aachen (GER) will host the championships for eventing, dressage and jumping, with endurance heading to Al Ula (KSA).
Hopes are high for eventing, with New Zealand having won team and individual bronze medals at the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni (ITA).
“We are targeting a team podium as a priority,” says ESNZ High Performance General Manager Jock Paget “Secondary to that will be individual medals and placings. By default, if we achieve that we will qualify for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.”
Aachen is not only an iconic venue with past experience of hosting the 2006 World Equestrian Games but is also happy hunting ground for New Zealand. Most recently they took an historic double victory at Aachen 2025 with the team winning gold in the hotly contested Nations’ Cup and Tim Price taking the top individual crown.
“It is hard to imagine anywhere better,” says Jock. “It is a brilliant venue and the organisers are excellent at delivering a top show. It is always a real honour for anyone to compete in the Aachen arena and there’s no doubt the atmosphere will be electrifying at the Champs.”
“Aachen was a targeted event for us this year, as was Boekelo, which was a development opportunity for combinations needing more team experience. Between now and the World Championships our focus is on working backwards from the demands of the event with individualised plans for each combination.”
