Two promising U.S. horse-and-rider pairs gained valuable experience and delivered standout performances at the 2025 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, held at the prestigious Turniergelände Verden in Germany.
Hope Cooper (Concord, Mass.) and O Romeo S, a 2019 U.S.-bred KWPN stallion, made history by qualifying directly for the Six-Year-Old Final, a feat not achieved by a U.S. combination in a decade. Their strong performance culminated in a 12th place finish with a score of 82.400%, earning praise for the stallion’s uphill canter, balance, and collection potential.
“It was one of the best feelings I’ve had so far in the arena with him,” said Cooper. “We truly showed off the direction we hope to go in the future.”
Cooper also emphasized her pride in representing the U.S. at her first WBFSH championship, calling the experience both “inspiring and fulfilling.”
Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Christine Traurig praised the pair, noting the significance of O Romeo S’s U.S. breeding and Cooper’s European debut:
Related News
“This is a great accomplishment… it shows how important it is for U.S. riders to have that experience in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Rebecca Rigdon (Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.) and Stay Cool, a 2020 Hanoverian gelding owned by Ad Astra Collective, qualified for the Five-Year-Old Small Final, where they finished 12th with 76.000%. Judges commended the gelding’s elasticity and impulsion, pointing to a promising future as he continues to develop.
Traurig highlighted the value of exposure at this level, saying,
“Both riders came home feeling inspired and motivated… it shows how important this kind of experience is for U.S. development.”
The performances of both combinations underscore the growing strength of U.S. dressage breeding and training programs, and signal continued progress in producing international-caliber young horses.
