German dressage team hit as Jessica von Bredow-Werndl withdraws from Hagen World Championship trial
Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has voluntarily withdrawn Kismet from the second World Championship selection in Hagen, dealing a fresh setback to the German dressage team ahead of the Aachen 2026 World Championships.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl said she and Kismet’s owners chose to pause competitive exposure so the horse can develop without added pressure, a decision that comes as Germany prepares its final selections for the home World Championship in Aachen. The withdrawal follows earlier absences by Ingrid Klimke and Charlott-Maria Schürmann, narrowing Germany’s options at the Nations Cup event on Hof Kasselmann. The decision removes one of the nation’s most experienced riders from the immediate selection picture and reshuffles the field for the upcoming trial.
Von Bredow-Werndl’s withdrawal from Hagen
Von Bredow-Werndl informed officials she will not present Kismet at the Hagen trial, which acts as the federation’s second selection opportunity before the World Championships in Aachen. The rider — a four-time Olympic gold medallist — framed the move as a deliberate, long-range choice aimed at safeguarding the horse’s progression. Her absence means one fewer top-level pair to be assessed under competition conditions at a crucial stage in the selection process.
The rider’s statement emphasized responsibility to the horse and a preference for steady development over short-term appearances. That rationale has precedent in elite equestrian sport, where managing a horse’s physical and mental readiness often takes precedence over immediate competitive gain.
Owners and athlete cite long-term planning for Kismet
Von Bredow-Werndl and Kismet’s owners jointly decided to give the horse additional time to mature through the summer rather than compete in Hagen, according to her communications. The aim is to continue training and development without the added stress of back-to-back high-level contests ahead of the World Championships. The move signals a focus on peak condition for Aachen rather than pushing for selection through every available trial.
Sporting directors and selectors are likely to weigh that context in upcoming decisions, balancing the horse’s welfare against the team’s needs. The choice also reflects a wider trend among top riders to prioritize sustainable career planning for their top horses.
Earlier absences: Klimke and Schürmann not competing
The German federation had already announced that Ingrid Klimke would not start in Hagen after her stallion Vayron was declared unfit to compete following his withdrawal at the national championships. Klimke’s absence removes another seasoned contender from the Nations Cup entry list and limits Germany’s depth of proven combinations available for immediate selection. The federation communicated that Vayron requires further recovery, making competition at Hagen inappropriate.
Charlott-Maria Schürmann also opted out when her mount, Dante’s Pearl, was assessed by officials as not “fit to compete.” Schürmann had secured a place on the national squad through strong performances at the German Championships, but the horse’s condition prevents her from taking part in the second sighting. Those two withdrawals, coupled with von Bredow-Werndl’s decision, mean three of the high-profile pairs are absent from the next team appraisal.
Roster changes and Hagen team composition
With Schürmann stepping aside, Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot move into the squad for Hagen, according to the federation’s selection updates. The confirmed team for the Nations Cup in Hagen now includes Isabell Werth on Wendy, Semmieke Rothenberger on Farrington, Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth and Raphael Netz on Great Escape Camelot. Those riders will be joined by additional combinations contesting individual tests that can still make a case for Aachen selection.
Hagen, on Hof Kasselmann, serves as a second high-profile assessment after the German Championships in Balve, giving selectors further competitive data. The event offers both team and individual tests that allow riders outside the core quartet to demonstrate readiness under pressure and stake claims for the final World Championship roster.
Selection implications for Aachen 2026
The withdrawals complicate the German dressage team’s selection calculus as national coaches weigh recent form, horse soundness and long-term strategy. Aachen, as the home World Championships, carries heightened expectations and stakes, prompting selectors to be methodical about sending only combinations they judge capable of achieving medal-level performances. The absence of multiple leading pairs narrows options but also opens opportunities for other riders to solidify their candidacies.
Selectors will consider competition results, veterinary reports, and riders’ training plans in the weeks ahead as they finalise the team for Aachen. The federation must balance immediate competitiveness with the obligation to protect horses’ health, particularly when a World Championship on home soil is a primary season goal.
Germany’s equestrian federation has structured its selection pathway around several trials and performance indicators to produce a resilient team for Aachen. Those mechanisms will be tested now that several top combinations are unavailable for one of the last meaningful domestic assessments.
The Hagen Nations Cup this coming weekend therefore takes on extra significance for those still competing, offering a last clear opportunity to impress selectors and make the case for inclusion at Aachen. The federation and team staff will monitor outcomes closely as they move toward final selections for the world championship.
