Liza Tittle Wins Silver at Dakar Youth Olympics
The American rider took silver in the Jumping Individual final, finishing behind Switzerland's Mike Smits after a jump-off.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Equestrian
Liza Tittle of the United States won the silver medal in the Jumping Individual at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Mike Smits of Switzerland claimed the gold in the same event.
Why it matters
The result gives the United States a strong showing in youth equestrian competition at a major multi-sport event. It also highlights the developmental pathway that international youth competition offers young riders.
Tittle's silver came in the Jumping Individual Final Jump-Off, which was required after more riders than she expected cleared the technical final course. The source does not report jump-off times or penalty totals for the top finishers.
The players
Liza Tittle
Liza Tittle is an American equestrian rider who won silver in the Jumping Individual at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Mike Smits
Mike Smits is a Swiss equestrian rider who won gold in the Jumping Individual at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The details
Tittle won silver in the Jumping Individual Final Jump-Off at the Equestrian Centre in Diamniadio on Friday. She said she was anxious before the competition but that she and her horse connected from the first day of the event.
Timeline
About one year before the event, Tittle's groom urged her to apply to compete at the Youth Olympics.
Friday: the Jumping Individual Final Jump-Off was held and Tittle won silver.
Season Trajectory
The Youth Olympic Games offer young athletes an international competition stage that sits outside the regular domestic equestrian calendar. Tittle's result places a United States rider among the medalists at that level.
Tittle's silver adds a medal to the United States youth equestrian tally at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The result shows how a rider's qualification to a youth event can translate into an international podium finish.
The takeaway
Tittle's path to the Youth Olympics began with a groom who encouraged her to apply about a year before the event. Young riders considering international youth competition can seek out coaches and support staff who push them to enter qualifying opportunities.
Further reading
Explore more United States equestrian news for context on American riders competing at the international level.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Olympics.
