Romania shines on Day 2 as battle for honours intensifies at the 26th CISM World Military Equestrian Championship

QUITO (ECU) – The second day of competition at the 26th CISM World Military Equestrian Championship delivered another exciting display of skill and horsemanship as riders competed in the Accumulator with Time (Article 229(i) – One Round Against the Clock) at the Army Equestrian School within the San Jorge Military Fort.

Following Paraguay’s impressive start in the opening competition, the second day produced a significant shift in momentum as several riders delivered outstanding performances in one of the championship’s most demanding tests. The Accumulator format rewards both accuracy and speed, requiring competitors to carefully balance risk and reward while collecting points over a challenging course.

Romania emerged as the dominant force of the day. Patricia Maria Stoina secured victory with a flawless performance, while fellow Romanian rider Norbert Schumann-Raducanu finished third. Between them, Ecuador’s Captain Xavier Mosquera Salgado produced an excellent round to claim second place and delight the home crowd with one of the strongest performances of the championship so far.

Romania’s success on the second day further reinforces the country's status as one of the leading military equestrian nations. The team arrived in Ecuador with strong credentials after Stefania Alina Stoica captured the individual world title at the 25th World Military Equestrian Championship in Cairo in 2025, while Romanian riders consistently featured among the top performers throughout last year's competition.

The second day also demonstrated the depth of talent assembled in Ecuador. Riders from numerous delegations remained in contention for the overall standings, while the constantly changing challenge of competing on unfamiliar horses continued to test adaptability, technical ability, and mental resilience. These unique characteristics make military equestrian sport one of the most demanding disciplines within the CISM programme.

In the team classification for the second competition, Bolivia delivered the strongest collective performance to finish first, ahead of Romania and Ecuador. Spain and France completed the top five, illustrating how closely contested the championship remains as the final stages approach.

After two days of competition, the battle for both the individual and team titles remains wide open. Several riders who featured prominently during the opening competition continue to occupy strong positions, while new contenders have emerged to challenge for the medals. The narrow margins separating many of the leading athletes promise an exciting conclusion to the championship.

Attention now turns to 5 June, when all participating horses will undergo the mandatory Veterinary Inspection, a key procedure to ensure the health, welfare, and fitness of the horses ahead of the decisive competitions.

The championship will conclude on 6 June with the Team Final, contested under the Accumulator format, followed by the third and final individual competition under FEI Article 221.4.3(ii) – Two Rounds, where the 2026 CISM World Military Equestrian Champions will ultimately be crowned.

With the overall standings still far from decided and riders from across the field continuing to challenge for top honours, all ingredients are in place for a dramatic and highly competitive conclusion to the 26th CISM World Military Equestrian Championship.

The second day of competition was broadcast live and can be rewatched here:

Useful Links

• Official Championship Website: https://mundial.fedeme.app/

• Live Results: https://ecuestre.digital/show/us_686

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)