Germany's dressage and show jumping riders want to win World Championship medals from Saturday. At the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, the German Equestrian Federation (FN) initially has something else in the foreground.
"The qualifications for the 2024 Olympic Games have top priority," said sports director Dennis Peiler. "Target number two is to compete for medals in all disciplines."
What is dressage about?
The team medals will be contested on Saturday and Sunday. The German team is in a state of upheaval and is not a gold favorite this time - the Danes have this role after winning the CHIO in Aachen. But sixth place for the direct Olympic qualification shouldn't be a problem for the team of national coach Monica Theodorescu. There are more medals in the individual on Monday in the Grand Prix Special and on Wednesday in the freestyle.
Who rides in the dressage team?
Three World Championship newcomers and the most successful rider in the world form the World Championship quartet. The nine-time World Champion Isabell Werth (53) retired her top horses Weihegold and Bella Rose from the sport and rides in Herning Quantaz. Ingrid Klimke (54) with Franziskus, Frederic Wandres (35) with Duke of Britain and Benjamin Werndl (38) with Famoso are in action for the first time at a dressage championship.
What is jumping about?
In jumping, the competition for the German team is greater than in dressage. Fifth place is required for direct Olympic qualification. The team competition of the World Cup consists of a time competition on Wednesday and the two rounds of the Nations Cup on Thursday and Friday. The individual will be decided in two more rounds on Sunday - and if necessary only in the jump-off.
Who rides for Germany in show jumping?
National coach Otto Becker has nominated a team with three riders over 40 and one newcomer. In addition to European champion André Thieme (47) with Chakaria, the team includes the experienced Christian Ahlmann (47) with Dominator and Marcus Ehning (48) with Stargold, as well as Jana Wargers (30) with Limbridge. The rider, who lives in Bocholt, Belgium, comes from Emsdetten and is in a championship team for the first time.
What is the TV showing?
The TV offer is minimal. The tight live program of Eurosport includes the freestyle decision in dressage on Wednesday (7.45 p.m.). ARD shows the individual show jumping finals on Sunday (3.45 p.m.) in a week and offers streams of the team jumping on Thursday (12.45 p.m.) and Friday (8.55 p.m.) on the “Sportschau” website. The fee-based Internet portal "clipmyhorse.tv" offers significantly more.
What else is there in Herning?
In addition to the Olympic disciplines of dressage and jumping, the organizers offer two other disciplines: There are also world championship titles to be won in para-dressage and vaulting. A total of eleven sets of medals are awarded for para riders and five sets of medals for vaulting.
Why are there no World Equestrian Games?
From 1990 to 2018 there were World Equestrian Games, most recently with all FEI World Championships in one place. Most organizers overreached themselves financially or organizationally, Aachen 2006 was the exception. This year there are therefore separate world championships for eventing from September 14th to 18th in Pratoni del Vivaro near Rome, where a week later the (carriage) drivers will also be at the start. The World Championships in controversial endurance riding will take place in Verona on October 22nd.
