A Full-Circle Trip to Aachen for More Consistent Horse Photography

Why Aachen carries such weight

Hart admits she never pictured herself competing on German soil at this level. Growing up, the dream was simply to ride in that legendary sand, and she thought doing so with her previous partner, Tex, would satisfy that longing. Instead, fate delivered something even more layered: a return to Aachen alongside a Paris champion.

She describes the venue as carrying genuine historical gravity. The arena has witnessed decades of dressage greatness, and stepping into it means feeling the pull to honor that legacy. "You want to live up to the name and the history of Aachen," Hart says. "Hopefully, you can add to the legacy and add to the history with your performance and the dedication of your team that is completely behind you. " That sense of responsibility, she notes, is what makes the location feel truly special.

Good horse photography almost always gets easier when the plan gets simpler.

How a chance encounter opened the door

The path to this championship berth began almost accidentally. Hart and her team had not originally planned or expected to attend the event at all. Everything shifted when their friend Fernando Ortega, who was grooming for the German national squad, secured tickets that allowed them to attend the dressage final as spectators.

That unexpected seat in the stands rekindled a spark. What started as a supportive visit soon transformed into something far bigger—a confirmed spot on the US roster and a trip back to a venue where Hart once had the rare privilege of training during the 2021 Paralympic buildup. "I was able to ride Tex in the Aachen stadium during that time, and that in itself was a magical experience," she recalls.

Floratina: a queen ready for one more campaign

At 18, Floratina is no stranger to the biggest stages. Her resume already includes a Paralympic gold from Paris alongside Hart, plus a Pan American Games title won in 2019 with Canadian rider Lindsay Kellock Duckworth. Hart views her partner as a true professional—a queen who simply knows what to do in the ring and genuinely enjoys competing.

Because of Flora's seasoned expertise, Hart's daily work focuses less on teaching new movements and more on keeping the mare physically comfortable and mentally fresh. "She doesn't have to train movements, because at her seasoned age, she knows exactly what she's doing, and she really enjoys going out in the ring," Hart explains.

The partnership's survival came down to a generous decision by Rowan O'Riley, who owns the mare. Hart and Flora had been competing aboard a loaned horse, and while both could have gone separate ways heading toward the LA28 cycle, O'Riley chose to purchase Floratina late last year so the partnership could continue intact. "It ended up being such an amazing experience and partnership with Flora that Rowan, who is insanely kind and generous, decided to purchase her late last year so we could keep that partnership alive and together," Hart says. "This championship actually feels even more special, just because it wasn't supposed to happen like this, and we're here. "

The road to Aachen: camp and camaraderie

The US squad arrived in Hagen, Germany, on Aug. 9 for a final training camp under chef d'équipe Michel Assouline. Team members—fellow Paris Paralympians Kate Shoemaker and Fiona Howard, along with Marie Vonderheyden—had been preparing at various training locations but converged for this crucial pre-show stretch. After camp, the group relocated to the Aachen show grounds on Aug. 16, with competition beginning two days later.

Fiona Howard already maintains a facility at home that houses Hart's young horse, Remedy, and Hart praises the property for its excellent turnout and hacking opportunities. While Remedy continues developing at home, Hart notes the promising colt possesses a strong engine beneath his calm demeanor. "He's quite an interesting horse for the future," she says. "He just needs to develop some muscle and learn to connect from behind without having the support of an able-bodied leg. "

The world championship roster mirrors the Paris Paralympic team closely, giving the squad a rare advantage: deep mutual understanding and shared experience under pressure. Hart hopes to recreate the magic of their Paris run, though she acknowledges it would be unrealistic to expect the same outcome. "I'd love to experience that Paris magic together again, but I'm realistic that it's a big ask," she admits. Against a field of younger, highly talented contenders, Hart and the veteran Floratina are fully prepared to fight for podium space.