2026 World Championships Dressage: Netz leads German team in Aachen

The performances of Netz and Wandres

Immediately after Netz, team Olympic champion Frederic Wandres started with Bluetooth. The veteran, who already belongs to the German Olympic squad, is said to have provided a further strong result with a calm, confident performance.

The team around exceptional rider Isabell Werth, who herself also belongs to the German contingent, has been among the world elite at championship events for years. In Aachen, the team wants to pull off the next big team coup – after the impressions of the first rides, the project seems well on track.

Competition from Denmark and Great Britain

Alongside the German riders, the teams from Denmark and Great Britain are also among the promising contenders for the Nations Cup. Denmark and Great Britain will do everything in the remaining rides to overturn the German lead.

Mentioned in the German camp was also the horse Denoix, which likewise belongs to the contingent and could possibly be deployed later in the course of the test.

Television and streaming coverage

The last Nations Cup in dressage at a World Championship was shown live on Das Erste and in the WDR stream. This allowed equestrian fans in Germany to follow the decision on screen and experience the final rides up close.

The equestrian federation and the German team had emphasised beforehand that they wanted to go into the decision with a unified team performance. After the first outings, much suggests that this plan is working.

With a view to the further course of the tournament, it remains to be seen whether the German team can defend the lead across all the rides. If this succeeds, it would be another great success in the team's already exceptional record.

Katharina Hemmer is mentioned as a further rider in the vicinity of the German team and counts among the extended circle of active participants. The final constellation of the German rides only emerged on the day of competition.

For German equestrian fans, the hope remains that the combination of a debutant and an experienced Olympic champion will lay the foundation for another title.