Gold bei der Reit-WM: Wenn das Pferd jedes Wort versteht

The German dressage team secured a comfortable victory at the World Championships in Aachen, earning their first gold medal with a score of 235.063 points. Isabell Werth on Wendy (79.063), Katharina Hemmer on Denoix (79.224), Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth (75.963), and Raphael Netz on Camelot (73.338) outscored Great Britain (231.445) and Denmark (229.426). All four riders have qualified for the Grand Prix Special, the first individual competition. Isabell Werth, a multiple Olympic champion, expressed her joy at returning to Aachen after 20 years, winning her tenth World Championship gold. Despite her horse Wendy showing signs of nervousness and a minor error costing points, Werth secured fourth place individually, the best German result, just ahead of Katharina Hemmer on Denoix.

Hemmer and Denoix were among the true stars of the competition. The 14-year-old Denoix, who has previously struggled with pressure, remained composed. Hemmer described braiding his mane as a ritual that they both need. Before entering the arena, she allowed Denoix to survey his surroundings, ensuring he felt comfortable. Throughout the test, Hemmer spoke quietly to Denoix, and it seemed he understood her every word. The horse performed fluid traversals, rhythmic piaffes, and flawless flying changes, dancing across the arena. As the test concluded and the pressure eased, Hemmer shed tears of joy. The coach praised their performance, suggesting Hemmer's surname be changed. Despite receiving personal best scores from the judges, fifth place in a field of 91 starters was considered not overly generous.

The individual competition was led by Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Freestyle, who impressed with her piaffes and passages but made a mistake in a pirouette and showed some unruliness in her mouth. The Danish team had a surprise visit from Queen Mary Elizabeth, an avid equestrian, who showed great interest in the horses. The event saw an unusual number of royals in attendance, including the Dutch heir to the throne, Amalia, Spain's Infanta Elena, and Zara Tindall, niece of King Charles III.

In the subsequent competition, reigning European champion Justin Verboomen from Belgium had a less successful day. His horse Zonik Plus, a rising star the previous year, made errors and frequently twitched its tail, indicating tension. Despite this, he was placed second, ahead of the British defending champion Charlotte Fry on Glamourdale, whose powerful canter consistently earns high scores. Fry's piaffes have also improved.

Besides the medal-winning teams, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden have qualified for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The coach emphasized that individual medals in the Grand Prix Special and the freestyle depend on the horses' daily form, and while a medal for the host nation is possible, it is not guaranteed.