Julie Davey and LT Holst Freda have drawn no.13 to go in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final, which gets underway in Fort Worth, Texas, tomorrow. “Mum always thought no.13 was lucky so that is good for me,” said Julie. “It’s better than going at no.1!”

It’s been a busy day for the Kiwis at the final with draws and riders meetings. “The arena familiarisation went well but there was no atmosphere in there today. It is a beautiful arena – the building itself is massive but not the arena.” It has been a long road to the final, but with the moment now upon them, the Kiwi combination are ready to shine.

Julie and Freda have won the last two New Zealand League Series, but opted not to go last year, opening the door for Luke Dee and Gangster WW. This time though was different – it was time to chase that lifelong dream of hers.

She is one of a host of first-time finalists. Among them is Norway’s Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen who follows in the footsteps of his father, five-time finalist Geir Gulliksen. Jamie Winning-Kermond (AUS) is also on debut at the final, where she will ride Tulara Wat Colblensky. In all there are 16 first-time finalists.

The Ewen McIntosh-bred grey mare, who is by Colman out of Brooke Edgecombe’s very well-performed LT Holst Andrea who is by Casall Ask, has been with Julie her whole career.

Julie Davey and LT Holst Freda at home in the stables at the 2026 FEI World Cup Final, Fort Worth, Texas

The 46th edition of the jumping final has attracted 36 athletes from 18 countries. It is being held in the 14,000-seat, state-of-the-art Dickies Arena where organisers are promising a “show of Texas-sized proportions”. Thirty-three horses and 16 athletes are competing in their first-ever World Cup Final. The youngest in the field are two 21-year-olds, while at 60, Laura Kraut (USA) is the oldest. Combinations will be challenged by renowned course designer Anderson de Moura Lika (MEX).

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat heads to Texas with history in his sights, as the three-time title holder bids to become the first athlete ever to claim a fourth crown, having already lifted the trophy in 2015, 2016 and 2019. Steve is the athlete in the 2026 field with the most appearances at a final – 15 in all, while Michael Whitaker (GBR) has competed in it 24 times.

Compatriot Martin Fuchs, who claimed the title in 2022, is back, as is six-time Olympian McLain Ward (USA), contesting his 21st final. Missing from the line-up is defending champ Julien Epaillard (FRA). It has been nine years since the final was won by a combination from the host country. The United States remains the most successful nation at the final with 11 titles to its name. When it comes to female success, no country can match them, with four of the five women to lift the trophy hailing from the US.

The first jumping competition starts on Thursday (April 9), with the top 30 progressing to the second on Friday, with the champ to be crowned at Sunday’s top 20 decider (April 12). The first class is a table C (one rounder) will decide the rankings. Final II is a table A with a jump-off while Final III is a two rounder.

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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
9th April 2026