Jamaican Equestrian Tegan Vincent Cooke Makes History at World Para Championships

Jamaica has marked an unprecedented milestone in international equestrian sport after rider Tegan Vincent Cooke and her horse, Stolen Kiss, became the first Jamaican Para Dressage combination to compete at the World Championship level. Representing the nation at the 2026 FEI World Championships held in Aachen, Germany, in August, the pair earned official recognition from the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica (EFJ) for their pioneering campaign on the global stage.

Competing in Grade I Para Dressage—a classification structured specifically for athletes with the most significant physical impairments, in which all movements are performed at the walk—Vincent Cooke delivered two historic tests. On August 19, she recorded a score of 63.58 per cent in the Individual Grand Prix A. Two days later, she returned to the arena to score 61.542 per cent in the Grand Prix B. In Para Dressage, competition is divided into five distinct grades, ranging from Grade I to Grade V, which accommodates athletes with the least impairment.

In recognition of her contribution to advancing inclusion within equestrian sport, the EFJ has officially nominated Vincent Cooke for the FEI Inspire Award. The winner will be honored at an international awards ceremony scheduled for December in Jiangyin, China. The nomination highlights her role as a trailblazer for Jamaican and regional sports, showing how athletes from non-traditional disciplines can break boundaries on the international stage.

To witness the historic milestone firsthand, EFJ President Heidi Lalor traveled to Germany to join the national delegation and support Vincent Cooke throughout the event. Lalor explained that the decision was rooted in both executive representation and educational growth for the national federation. “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 that the Jamaican flag stood out prominently at the Aachen venue, while Vincent Cooke and Stolen Kiss—affectionately known as Coco—drew significant interest from spectators and international competitors alike. The 18-year-old mare, a former British eventing horse, was stabled alongside horses from the German and Spanish national teams. Vincent Cooke's core support network included British Dressage rider and coach Sarah Gorvett as well as her mother, Sylvia Vincent, who owns Coco and serves on the committee of Riding for the Disabled in Bristol in the United Kingdom. Administrative support and strategic guidance were provided by EFJ Secretary General and former Olympian Sam Albert.

The atmosphere throughout the competition reflected the unique environment of Para Dressage, where venue organizers and spectators maintain quiet support near the arenas to avoid unsettling the horses. Lalor praised the commitment and determination of Vincent Cooke, noting her enthusiasm was evident from start to finish. Lalor was particularly moved by the event’s closing ceremony, attended by an estimated 40,000 spectators, where able-bodied and Para athletes joined together in celebration.

The 2026 FEI World Championships spanned 13 days and featured six distinct equestrian disciplines, including jumping, eventing, dressage, Para Dressage, driving, and vaulting. Attracting more than 500,000 spectators over its duration, the grand event also served as the initial qualification opportunity for athletes aiming to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

EFJ leadership emphasized that Vincent Cooke's breakthrough demonstrates that Jamaican athletes can pursue ambitious international goals despite structural and logistical challenges. The federation hopes her pioneering achievement will elevate public awareness of Para Dressage across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, inspire broader participation among adaptive riders, and strengthen the region's long-term prospects for seeing the discipline included in future Pan American Games.