Theo GARDIES and Noely THIBAUDAT (FRA) with SIR SENSATION during their winning performance in the Pas de Deux 1st Round at the FEI World Championships 2026 - Aachen (GER) ©FEI/ Daniel Kaiser

14.08.2026

In a day defined by excellence, changes were afoot and margins narrowed ahead of the Vaulting finals. Alice Layher (GER) held on to the top in the female competition while Sam dos Santos (NED) soared ahead in the males, and French giants Theo Gardies and Noely Thibaudat left no doubt about their claim to the Pas de Deux gold medal.

The level of the female competition was strong. Coming in reverse order, tension built as the competition progressed. The USA’s Kimberly Palmer’s character came across perfectly as she moved through her routine in wonderful flow. The result from the judges was the first score of over eight, a huge 8.470 in the technical test, elevating her to bronze medal position after round one, 8.155. Averill Saunders put out a solid performance for Canada, however a lower horse and artistic score leaves her in fourth place 8.106. 

Germany’s Kathrin Meyer’s performance was truly beautiful. Vaulting with her heart she was near overcome with emotion on finishing her programme. The result, the top score of the day, 8.669. Teammate, Alice Layher was last to go, and although she couldn’t quite match Meyer’s score she was close enough, 8.663, leaving Layher in the lead after round one 8.726, with Meyer closer than yesterday, 8.609.

Switzerland’s Danielle Bϋrgi climbed the rankings after an error in her compulsories had her finish day one in 12^th place. A solid technical round improved her position to seventh, 7.754.

The men presented an unbelievable standard. France’s Ruben Delaunay was the first to excel. His timing was on point, and his cleverly executed routine earned him the second-best technical score of the competition, 8.481, improving his placing with an overnight 10^th place, 7.997. Thomas Brϋsewitz’s wonderfully difficult routine elevated his position, making up vital places. With 8.263 for round one, he is now in fourth place for Germany and within touching distance of the bronze medal.

Bela Lehnen (GER) holds onto third for now, but only just. His technical elements were less polished than his teammate leaving him only 0.016 ahead. Second last to compete Sam dos Santos raised the bar even higher for the Netherlands. He was artistically excellent and presented a creative composition to drive into the lead 8.607 in today’s programme, total 8.568, with only Frenchman Quentin Jabet left to compete. 

Jabet’s technical round was dramatic. After a strong start, Estado IFCE dropped into trot for half a circle, costing valuable marks in the horse score and significant time for Jabet to complete his test. Ultimately, he was unable to show many of his additional exercises and dropped further points with a hop in his final backwards stand. Despite this he was still able to score 8.236 today, leaving him in second place ahead of tomorrow’s final with a round one finish of 8.467.

The drama continued into the Pas de Deux competition. Austria’s Anna Hladik and Hubertus Witzmann took an early lead scoring 8.099. They were shortly overtaken by Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella who proved their worth with new horse and lunger combination, Malleret Romulus TS and Maud Bousignac Dumont. The Italians’ clever choreography and signature exercises were rewarded with a huge 8.724 points. 

Their lead didn’t last long as the French surpassed even that. With 8.947, Theo Gardies and Noely Thibaudat are well placed to take home the gold medal tomorrow. 

None could overtake the quality of these three duos. Unfortunately for Germany, both of their combinations suffered a fall from the horse, significantly affecting the performance score, as the horses began to find the electric atmosphere in the stadium more difficult. 

Between seventh place and third there is only 0.226 points, and with Sunday’s final counting for 60% of the total score we could yet see the bronze medal go to Switzerland, the USA or Germany’s top pairings. 

The first champions will be crowned tomorrow in the individual and squad competitions. The Pas de Deux have a well-earned rest and a day of anticipation while they watch history unfold here in Aachen. 

FULL RESULTS