Para-Dressage World Championships in Aachen: Niehues and Mispelkamp Win Silver and Bronze in Grades IV and V

In 2024, Kate Shoemaker, a 39-year-old veterinarian from Idaho, discovered Vianne, a 10-year-old daughter of Vitalis, in Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour’s stable. It was a perfect match. Shortly thereafter, they won bronze at the Paralympics in Paris. Today, they managed to top that—by a wide margin. Early in the competition, Shoemaker and her gray mare took the lead with an impressive 78.889 percent—a personal best—and they never relinquished it until the very end. They even received a 10 for the final pose. “We were truly one today. Everything felt easy and natural,” said a delighted Shoemaker, who lives with muscle weakness, spasms, and motor impairments on the right side of her body. Now she is a world champion.

Anna-Lena Niehues: Silver in Her Debut

Anna-Lena Niehues was delighted with her silver medal. We had previously reported on the 41-year-old equine manager, who also competes successfully in standard equestrian events. She and her Westphalian mare, Vive l’Amour, also set a personal best: 74.639 percent. Niehues explained at the start of the World Championships that it took her a long time to gain Vive l’Amour’s trust. “My mare is very sensitive. That’s why I’m so proud of how well she focused on me in that atmosphere.”

The bronze medal in Grade IV went to Nicola Naylor (GBR), who is completely blind and navigates the arena solely by using auditory cues, rhythm, and her horse’s movements. She scored 73.861 percent and was overjoyed: “I never would have dared to dream that this would one day be possible for me,” said the 65-year-old.

Brandt Finishes

in the Top Eight

at Premiere

No medal, but World Championship debutante Helen Brandt and her chestnut horse Vulkan Vegas IB did secure a top-eight finish. With a score of 70.028 percent, the pair placed eighth.

Gold for Wells …

A prominent British rider also prevailed in Grade V: Sophie Wells, a four-time Paralympic champion and World and European champion. She brought the 10-year-old chestnut mare MSJ Gold Standard to Aachen. She has only been riding the mare since the beginning of the year. The mare was bred by Emma Blundell at Mount St. John Stud. The mare’s dam is FBW Dejavu, a daughter of Dacaprio from Württemberg who was trained by Nadine Plaster. The pair were the second to compete on the start list and, with a score of 74.949 percent, immediately set a mark that no one else would surpass today. “The wait was nerve-wracking,” the 36-year-old admitted. But she was happy with her mare’s performance regardless: “She’s getting better and better every time.”

The 25-year-old Dutch rider Britney de Jong took silver with a score of 73.154 percent on the KWPN gelding Caramba N.O.P.—her World Championship debut, and at the same time the final championship appearance for her 19-year-old riding partner. “Before the salute, I patted him one last time and said, ‘Let’s do this one more time.’ And with that, we won the silver.”

… Bronze for Mispelkamp

And then, with the bronze medal around her neck: Regine Mispelkamp. “Competing here in Aachen in front of my home crowd—it’s a dream come true,” said the three-time European champion, who lives with multiple sclerosis. With her longtime partner, Highlander Delight’s, she scored 72.974 percent.

Starting tomorrow, the team competition will take place at the para-dressage stadium. Heidemarie Dresing will once again be the first to compete in Grade II. The medals will be awarded on Saturday.