GERMANY GRAB TEAM GOLD IN AACHEN - FEI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026
The showjumping Team Final and the last qualification for the Individual Final of the FEI World Championship took place in Aachen with the weather adding an extra layer of difficulty to the course for both riders and horses. It was fascinating to see the high-level sport and the thrill among the top three teams that eventually secured medals.
THE INDIVIDUAL PART
The initial part of the event, for individual riders, was a thriller with Dutch athletes surprising many by failing to make Sunday’s Final.
Mexican athletes who only qualified as Individuals fought hard, with Carlos Hank Guerreiro producing a clear round with his 11-year-old SBS-bred gelding H5 Shaq Attack (Cornet Obolensky – Utopia du Val du Geer x Kashmir van Schuttershof, breeder: Dr Stijn van Campenhout).
Eugenio Garza Perez picked up one unlucky time fault with the 15-year-old Contago (Cornet Obolensky – Cassandra x Cassini II, breeder: Wilfried Sandmann). He reflected: “It was an incredible weekend. I was really surprised that the Mexican team didn’t go through because we had excellent results. And I really think we could have done a good job tonight. I’ve ridden Contago since he was four; it’s such a privilege to ride him especially that he is closely related to Greya (ridden by World no. 1 Kent Farrington). It speaks for what an amazing job the breeder did; what an incredible damline they have. I would like to say thank you to the breeder for a horse that has definitely changed my life as I was able to let him shine as much as he deserves.”
The UAE’s Omar Al Marzouqi did a fantastic job with the 12-year-old SF-bred stallion Enjoy de la Mure (Vigo Cece – Carmen x Calvados), delivering another clear round. He said: “Enjoy de la Mure jumped unbelievably. In the beginning he didn’t jump so well, but after four fences he started to jump so much better, got more into the game, and finished the course in a superb manner. It is a big milestone for our Team to be here at these Championships. In the next one, we are going to be very strong, and I am looking forward to it. Enjoy de la Mure is very special, and he is the best. I met his breeder today, and I thanked her for having bred such an amazing horse.”
THE TEAM PART - TEAM GERMANY HAVE NERVES OF STEEL
In a Championship you never know what will happen. You might see your favourite country win, but everything can change after one unlucky touch.
Many riders were once again caught out by unexpected faults. France was one of the favourites but ended up finishing in eighth place. Nina Mallevaey had one rail down with her exceptional 13-year-old SF-bred mare Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly – Sophia di San Giovanni DXB x Cassini I, breeder: Eric Levallois). She said: “Dynastie de Beaufour is amazing. She jumped unbelievably again today; her rail was a bit unlucky. She gave everything again, and it was really not her fault. I’ve been riding her for two years now, we have a strong partnership, and she has a good pedigree. I like the Diamant de Semilly offspring; I have two in my stable. They have a good head, they are really brave, and they are always there for you. Whether you jump 1.20 m or 1.60 m, they are always by your side. I think the Cassini I blood gives more rideability.”
Team Germany had nerves of steel. They knew the first riders had to go clear, but to actually do that is a different story, and they made the fairytale of this World Championships in Aachen complete. All four riders went clear!
Sophie Hinners pulled in an outstanding second clear with her SWB-bred 11-year-old gelding Iron Dames Singclair (Singular LS la Silla – Curious Friday x Cardento, breeder: J. Ab Wannius). She commented: “Singclair jumped fantastically again. I would say he even jumped better today than yesterday. I rode safely and enjoyed the round. He was just outstanding. I don’t know what to say, because it is just so impressive to jump here and to have this experience. The course was more difficult than yesterday, but it was manageable.”
She added in the press conference: “It is an amazing feeling in front of the home crowd here. I think it is so special, with this great atmosphere and under the lights. The Team spirit we had was an unbelievable feeling. The horses jumped amazingly, and now to have this gold medal is almost indescribable.”
Daniel Deusser added: “This gives me goosebumps, and it isn’t only during this event. It was a long journey this year. I have been really looking forward to these Championships here in Aachen, the public, the show. It is really an unbelievable show.”
Marcus Ehning added: “It is really unbelievable to be here after 20 years. Aachen has the best crowd in the world, and it is the best show in the world. All rounds were good; we didn’t expect that beforehand, but it was outstanding.”
Richard Vogel said: “I could not agree more. After three riders we already secured gold. It was quite hard to stay focused on United Touch S. I could not have been any happier than to ride in the Soers.”
Otto Becker joked by saying: “I could tell Richard was enjoying riding around, because he had two time faults. I am really proud of this Team for what they have done over the last couple of weeks and days.”
Silver medallists Team Belgium, with Abdel Saïd the last of the four to go into the arena and incredibly cleared his round, was really happy with this medal. Thibeau Spits started by saying: “Abdel did an outstanding job to secure the silver medal; he is a seriously good rider. To win this here is just unbelievable; it was a super performance for all of us.”
Saïd himself remarked: “My fellow athletes are very experienced riders and we had a nice chat before the second round; it was very close and tough with the Germans. The other Teams, like Great Britain, were also very strong. We tried to stay focused, and it worked out. I would like to thank the organisation for this incredible event. The crowds and the prize giving ceremonies are unbelievable.”
Chef d'équipe Peter Weinberg added: “We already concentrated all year on this Final. We also worked hard to find and put together the best Team and, in the end, these riders performed the most consistently.
Bronze medallists Team Great Britain started with Scott Brash in the press conference: “You stay focused on your job. Unfortunately, we dropped a place because I had the first rail down. Thankfully we held it together, and we secured Bronze. I think we are all very happy.
Adrian Whiteway continued: “These guys jumped amazingly well. It is my first World Championships. It was very scary watching Scott at the end. I am very, very happy.”
Performance Director Di Lamperd continued: “It is an absolute delight to be in Aachen; there is no place like it. To be on the podium and to have the Olympic qualification makes me very pleased. It was great sport for the week, and the organisation was really fantastic.”
Harry Charles added: “I wish the World Championships could be here every time. For me, it is the first time in this room (press conference room), so I am very happy to see this. The crowd supports not only Germany, and that gave a fantastic feeling. It was also special under the floodlights.”
This Championships had every emotion in it: excitement for the clear rounds, sadness for the rails down, and the unexpected refusals. The tears and smiles were all around. But truly, the queen and kings of yesterday held their nerves of steel and brought home their third title at this World Championship in Aachen.
It was a definite welcome home for Germany. HT
--ENDS--
Photo by Baroness Ludwiga von Korff
Full Team results and points here
Full Individual results and points here
The Individual Final takes place on Sunday 23 August at 14:20 Germany time.