Tegan Vincent-Cooke becomes first Jamaican Para Dressage rider to compete at World Championships

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tegan Vincent-Cooke and her horse Stolen Kiss have become the first Jamaican Para Dressage combination to compete at World Championship level, the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica (EFJ) has confirmed, after the pair represented the island at the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, in August.

Vincent-Cooke, who competes in Grade I Para Dressage, scored 63.58 per cent in the Individual Grand Prix A competition on August 19 and followed with 61.542 per cent in the Grand Prix B two days later. Grade I is the classification for riders with the most significant physical impairments, with all competitive movements performed at the walk. The discipline has five grades, with Grade V reserved for riders with the least impairment.

The EFJ has formally nominated Vincent-Cooke for the FEI Inspire Award in recognition of her achievement and her contribution to advancing inclusion in equestrian sport. The FEI, the global governing body for equestrian sport, will hold its awards ceremony in Jiangyin, China, in December. The nomination cites her determination, commitment to Para Dressage and her role in inspiring greater representation and opportunities for athletes with disabilities worldwide.

EFJ President Heidi Lalor travelled to Germany to witness the occasion and described it as both inspiring and educational. “Knowing the importance of this history-making occasion, I made the decision to book the trip to Germany and join the incredible support team for Tegan, represent the National Federation and educate myself on the discipline of Para Dressage,” Lalor said.

Lalor recalled the pride of seeing the Jamaican flag prominently displayed at the venue, where Vincent-Cooke and Stolen Kiss, affectionately known as Coco, drew considerable attention. The 18-year-old mare, a former British eventing horse, was stabled between the German and Spanish teams and became a favourite among spectators and fellow competitors. “The Jamaican flag was a visual standout from the main entrance,” Lalor recalled. “Between requests for photos and selfies, Coco and Tegan were already superstars before they even entered the arena!”

Vincent-Cooke’s support team was led by experienced British Dressage rider and coach Sarah Gorvett, alongside her mother, Sylvia Vincent, who owns Stolen Kiss. Sylvia Vincent is also a committee member of Riding for the Disabled in Bristol, United Kingdom, where she helps provide opportunities for riders with disabilities. Lalor praised the close-knit team for its dedication. “Tegan’s joy and love of sport is unmistakable. She is permanently smiling and radiant. I feel privileged to have met this remarkable woman and her wonderful team, who so effortlessly rally around her and help make her equestrian dreams possible,” she said.

The championships brought together the world’s leading riders and horses across six disciplines — jumping, eventing, dressage, para dressage, driving and vaulting — attracting more than half a million spectators over 13 days, according to the EFJ. Lalor noted that Para Dressage was staged alongside the other elite disciplines and that traditional cheering and flag-waving were restricted in Para Dressage areas to avoid disturbing the horses. “We met at the ‘kiss and cry’ area, where the team and supporters can gather, but with the Para Dressage etiquette of quiet in deference to the horses’ sensitivities, flag waving and loud cheering is forbidden,” Lalor explained. “Instead, teams and supporters indulged in some silent ‘clapping’, offering a peaceful and profound sense of pride and grace in support of Tegan and Coco and their remarkable journey.”

Lalor said the championships demonstrated the growing prominence of Para Dressage within international equestrian sport, particularly as athletes across disciplines capitalised on the first opportunity to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She described the closing ceremony as especially memorable, with elite and Para athletes celebrating together before approximately 40,000 spectators. “The closing ceremony was so heartwarming, particularly seeing the Brazilian riders cheering on their Para team side-by-side in the final parade of nations,” she said.

According to Lalor, Para Dressage had a strong presence at the championships, with more national teams participating than in Eventing and more individual competitors than in Dressage. She expressed optimism about the discipline’s continued growth and the possibility of its inclusion in the Pan American Games, which would create additional opportunities for Para equestrian athletes throughout the Americas.

The EFJ also acknowledged the contribution of its secretary general and former Olympian, Sam Albert, whose administrative support and guidance helped facilitate Vincent-Cooke’s historic appearance in Aachen. Lalor said the achievement represents an important milestone for Jamaican equestrian sport and demonstrates the opportunities available to athletes determined to pursue their ambitions despite significant challenges. “As a national federation, we salute and honour Tegan Vincent-Cooke and Stolen Kiss for showing us the journey, the dream and the pathways that do exist against all odds,” she said.

The federation hopes Vincent-Cooke’s pioneering appearance will encourage greater awareness of Para Dressage in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, while inspiring future generations of athletes to pursue opportunities in the discipline.