From August 11 to 23, Aachen, Germany, will be all about the FEI World Championships. The absolute world elite will battle for medals in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Para Dressage, Driving, and Vaulting. Curious about how the competition unfolds and when your favorite discipline is scheduled? We have lined up all the formats and schedules clearly for you.

Jumping

Format

The team competition kicks off on Wednesday with a speed class against the clock. Times are converted into penalty points, with the leader starting the remainder of the championship on 0 penalty points. The top three results per country count toward the team score.

Two rounds follow in the team competition. The first round takes place on Thursday, carrying over the penalty points from the speed class. On Friday, the top ten teams and top 60 individual combinations return for the decisive second round. The team with the fewest penalty points takes the world title.

The top 25 combinations following the team competition qualify for the individual final on Sunday. This final consists of two rounds, with the top 12 combinations in the second round battling for the gold medal.

Schedule

  • Wednesday, August 19: Speed class (team & individual qualification)

  • Thursday, August 20: Team final round 1 (individual qualification)

  • Friday, August 21: Team final round 2 & team medal ceremony

  • Sunday, August 23: Individual final (2 rounds)

Dressage

Format

Team gold is decided during the Grand Prix on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each nation may field four combinations, with the top three scores counting toward the total.

The top 30 combinations from the Grand Prix (maximum four per nation) qualify for the Grand Prix Special on Friday, where the first set of individual medals will be awarded. The top 15 from the Special advance to the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday (maximum three riders per nation) to contend for the second set of individual medals.

Schedule

  • Tuesday, August 11: Grand Prix – Team Competition (Part 1)

  • Wednesday, August 12: Grand Prix – Team Competition (Part 2)

  • Friday, August 14: Grand Prix Special (individual medals)

  • Sunday, August 16: Grand Prix Freestyle (individual medals)

Eventing

Format

In Eventing, the team and individual competitions run completely in parallel. Teams of four combinations begin on Thursday and Friday with the dressage test, followed by cross-country on Saturday.

The decision comes on Sunday: first, the show jumping round takes place for the teams (top three scores count). The top 25 combinations in the standings then immediately jump a second round to determine the individual medalists.

Schedule

  • Thursday, August 13: Dressage (Part 1)

  • Friday, August 14: Dressage (Part 2)

  • Saturday, August 15: Cross-country

  • Sunday, August 16: Show jumping (team & individual finals)

Para Dressage

Format

Para Dressage opens on Wednesday and Thursday with the individual test (Para Grand Prix A). Friday and Saturday feature the team competition (Para Grand Prix B), where the top three scores from a three- or four-member team determine the final team score.

The top eight combinations per Grade (I through V), based on the combined scores of GP A and GP B, qualify for the Freestyle on Sunday. All finalists start from zero in the fight for individual gold.

Schedule

  • Wednesday, August 19: Individual – Para Grand Prix A (Grades I, II, and III)

  • Thursday, August 20: Individual – Para Grand Prix A (Grades IV and V)

  • Friday, August 21: Team Competition – Para Grand Prix B (Grades I, II, and III)

  • Saturday, August 22: Team Competition – Para Grand Prix B (Grades IV and V)

  • Sunday, August 23: Freestyle Final (all Grades)

Four-in-Hand Driving

Format

The Driving World Championship follows the classic three-phase format: Dressage, Marathon, and Cones. A national team consists of two or three drivers, with the top two scores counting per phase. Penalty points from all three phases are combined, and the team with the lowest total wins the title.

Following dressage on Thursday/Friday and the marathon on Saturday, Sunday's cones course determines the final standings for both team and individual honors.

Schedule

  • Thursday, August 20: Dressage (Part 1)

  • Friday, August 21: Dressage (Part 2)

  • Saturday, August 22: Marathon

  • Sunday, August 23: Cones / Obstacle driving (final)

Vaulting

Format

For individual vaulters, the championship consists of two rounds: a compulsory test and a technical test on Thursday and Friday, followed by a Freestyle (Kür) on Saturday. The average score across all three tests determines the final ranking. For squads, the compulsory test counts for 40% and the Freestyle for 60%.

The event concludes on Sunday with the Official Team Competition. Each nation fields one male individual, one female individual, and one squad performing their Freestyles; the combined score determines the nation's final ranking.

Schedule

  • Thursday, August 13: Compulsory test (female, male & squads)

  • Friday, August 14: Technical test & Pas de Deux

  • Saturday, August 15: Freestyle finals (female, male & squads)

  • Sunday, August 16: Pas de Deux final & Official Team Competition