No World Championships for Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Times Kismet: They Will Not Compete at the 2026 World Dressage Championships in Aachen

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Times Kismet, “Kiss,” were actually supposed to compete at the World Championship qualifier in Hagen this coming weekend. The tournament at Hof Kasselmann is the venue for the German Nations Cup. A CDI4* tour is taking place at the same time. Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the KWPN mare were scheduled to compete in these classes.

Second round for Aachen without Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Times Kismet

During their first appearance at the German Championships, the pair’s competition came to an end after the Grand Prix (10th place) because Times Kismet’s stablemate, Quick Decision, had a fever. Now von Bredow-Werndl will not be traveling to Hagen. This was a deliberate decision made together with the mare’s owners, the Olympic champion wrote in an Instagram post.

This is Kiss’s first Grand Prix season, and she has exceptional talent. That is exactly why it is important to us to develop her with patience and foresight.

Although the mare has continued to improve with each competition, according to von Bredow-Werndl, there should be no additional pressure. The focus is on “keeping an eye on the big picture.”

One rejection follows another

Even though the pair—who have so far gained experience competing together mainly at smaller tournaments in Italy—was not among the select group of riders being considered for the World Championships in Aachen, national team coach Monica Theodorescu must cross another name off her list.

Last week, it was announced that Ingrid Klimke’s Vayron is definitely not yet far enough along in his rehabilitation training to compete in Hagen. Yesterday, it was announced that Charlott-Maria Schürmann and Dante’s Pearl OLD, who had been considered for the Nations Cup team, will not be able to compete.

The team that will be competing in Hagen currently consists of Isabell Werth/Wendy, Fredric Wandres/Bluetooth OLD, Semmieke Rothenberger/Farrington, and Raphael Netz/Great Escape Camelot. The reserve pair is the surprise of the season: Tobias Nabben riding Forster, who was once considered unrideable as a young horse.