German show jumpers are in top form; the 2026 World Championships in Aachen are ready to begin

Shortly after 6 p.m., the forecourt with its small grandstand behind the stables at Aachen’s Soers began to fill up. The fitness inspection for the eventing horses was moved to Stadium 2 solely because of the World Championships. Normally, veterinarians and judges examine the horses on a gravel path next to the stables. Today was no exception. The fitness inspection began at 5:00 p.m., and at 6:34 p.m. it was the German horses’ turn.

Daniel Deußer and Otello de Guldenboom were the first to take the field. The son of Tobago Z trotted confidently up and down the gravel path behind the stables, just like the seasoned veteran he is. It was a similar story with Coolio and Checker.

Coolio was presented by his groom, Mel Obst. Marcus Ehnings’ knee injury from this spring currently exempts him from leading out the horse. Christian Kukuk was also unable to present Checker himself; he was still on the highway. The reason: water damage at his home. But he’s on his way now, the FN reported.

Sophie Hinners trotted for a 10, and her Singclair for an 8—complete with a cheerful little hop. Richard Vogel and United Touch S also looked in top form. Toward the end, “UT” decided that the whole thing could just as easily be done at a gallop. Everyone: accepted.

In the draw to determine the order for the qualifying round and the practice round, Germany drew position 34. The practice round begins at 9 a.m. Germany will compete in the third group starting at 1 p.m. Here is the starting list.

Favorites

On paper, Germany is among the favorites for this World Championship, with European champions and Rolex Grand Prix winners Richard Vogel and United Touch S on the team, along with Vogel’s European Championship bronze medal-winning teammate Marcus Ehning and Coolio, Sophie Hinner and Singclair, who placed third in the Aachen Grand Prix in May, as well as World Cup runner-up Daniel Deußer and Otello de Guldenboom. The reigning Olympic champions, Christian Kukuk and Checker—who had just won the Grand Prix at the Global Tour event in London —are reserves.

Furthermore, the statistics speak in Germany’s favor. Seven World Championship titles out of 20 tournaments is a record—no other nation has more. In terms of team gold medals, Germany shares the lead with France, with both nations having three World Championship triumphs each.

Fun Facts

: No equestrian discipline is as international as show jumping; 146 pairs from 51 nations will compete, including 31 teams and 25 individual riders.

Taizo Sugitani is one of the most remarkable figures in the competition. When he gallops into the Soers with Quincy on Wednesday, he’ll be competing for his eighth world championship. He was just 18 years old when he competed in his first one, in The Hague in 1994. Since then, he has competed in every World Championship, with the exception of Tryon in 2018.

Alexa Stais will compete for Cyprus as an individual rider on Cornflake CR. When the rider from Paul Schockemöhle’s stable made her World Championship debut, she was still a vaulter and competed as such for her home country, South Africa, in Normandy. It was only after that that she moved to Germany to pursue show jumping. This is the first time Cyprus has participated in a World Championship.

There will be additional premieres featuring participants from the Dominican Republic, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Monaco, Palestine, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe.

Getting all of them to the finish line safely while still letting the best riders win will be the biggest challenge for course designer Frank Rothenberger in the coming days.