Isabell Werth sweeps four victories at dressage World Championship qualifier in Hagen
The 56-year-old German rider led the national team to a Nations Cup win and added three individual victories, cementing her place at the upcoming World Championships in Aachen.
Dominant performance in Hagen
Isabell Werth delivered a commanding performance at the second World Championship qualification event in Hagen am Teutoburger Wald, winning all four competitions she entered. The most successful dressage rider in history guided the German team to victory in the Nations Cup and secured three individual wins with her top horse Wendy and the rapidly improving young prospect Viva Gold. The event, held just days before the nomination deadline, left no doubt about her place in the squad for the World Championships.
Team and individual success
Werth's Nations Cup triumph came as part of a German team that also included Olympic team gold medallist Frederic Wandres. Wandres, riding Bluetooth, contributed to the team victory and won the freestyle on Saturday evening, further strengthening his own claim for a World Championship berth. The pair's performances underscored Germany's depth ahead of the global event in Aachen.
Absences weaken the national squad
Several high-profile riders were missing from the Hagen competition. Ingrid Klimke, a member of Germany's gold-medal team at last year's European Championships in France, withdrew because her horse Vayron was not fit. Charlott-Maria Schürmann, originally nominated for the national team, also pulled out at short notice after her horse Dante's Pearl showed signs of being unwell. Four-time Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl voluntarily chose not to start with Kimet. These absences narrowed the selection picture but did not disrupt the team's dominance.
World Championship team taking shape
Werth's spot is assured, and Wandres has also secured his ticket to Aachen. The complete four-rider World Championship quartet must be nominated by Monday, 6 July. With the Hagen results now in, the German federation faces its final decisions, balancing proven performers against emerging talent. The World Championships in Aachen will be a major test for the host nation, and the Hagen qualifier has provided clarity on the core of the team.
