Mietta Innes-Irons is eager to impress during her appearance at the World Championships.
Shepparton equestrian superstar Mietta Innes-Irons is celebrating reaching fifth position in the global rankings as she prepares for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Germany.
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Alongside trusted black Westphalian gelding Sir Helmut, the Grade V talent has arrived in Europe, as she prepares to compete for the Australian Para Dressage Team in what represents an inspired comeback from two life-altering spinal injuries.
The 31-year-old has a long history of defying the odds, having risen to the top-ten in the world just three years after her first competitive para-dressage outing.
Such is the buzz surrounding her abilities in the saddle that she was named on the Australian Para Equestrian High Performance Squad, otherwise known as the Green Squad, back in December.
With the countdown now on to the Paralympic Games in 2028, this meant that the sport’s governing body considers the Goulburn Valley rider to have podium potential ahead of the Los Angeles spectacle in two years’ time.
For now, however, her focus is firmly set on making a name for herself while representing her country on the big stage.
On the eve of the 2026 FEI World Championships, which take place between August 11 and 23, Innes-Irons reached fifth place in the FEI Grade V para dressage world rankings in yet another landmark moment.
In the build-up to the tournament, she joined her Team Australia compatriots at a three-week staging camp in the Netherlands in the lead up to the short trip over the border to Aachen, Germany.
It has been a bumper year so far for Innes-Irons, who is the reigning Greater Shepparton Young Citizen of the Year, and she has the backing of those closer to home as she looks forward to competing at the 40,000-capacity Soers Showgrounds.
Speaking after she was named as part of the Australian contingent for Aachen, Innes-Irons expressed her pride.
Mietta Innes-Irons is in preparation-mode ahead of the World Championships.
“I really have no words ... I am honoured and so excited to have been selected on the Australian Para Dressage Team for the 2026 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany,” she said.
“Firstly, congratulations to my teammates Dianne Barnes, Bridget Murphy and Lisa Martin.
“Three amazing woman who competed on the world stage at Paris 2024, I couldn’t think of a better group of people to go into my first games with.“
“We'll all be cheering you on, Mietta Innes-Irons,” a message from Equestrian Victoria read in the lead-up to the championships.
“Wishing you every success as you represent with determination, skill, and heart. We know you'll make us all incredibly proud. Go well- we're behind you every step of the way!”
Meanwhile, the Australian Equestrian Team previewed the World Championships, as its Para High Performance Lead spoke excitedly about the country’s chances of making a significant impression in Germany.
“EA Para High Performance Lead Nick Hunter described the squad as one of Australia’s most competitive para dressage teams in recent years, with three athletes ranked inside the world’s top six,” they wrote.
“Congratulations to all selected athletes and support teams.“
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