Danie Deußer wants to go to the 2026 World Equestrian Games - Interview with the CHIO Aachen team

CHIO Aachen: Mr. Deußer, do you still remember your first reaction when you heard in November 2023 that the FEI World Championships 2026 would be held in Aachen?

I was definitely thrilled. Aachen is a venue that really lacks nothing. Everything is there for both the horses and the riders. Every year we have a wonderful show here, and I am clearly of the opinion that championships should take place in exactly such places.

The World Championships are now just over two and a half months away and are the big goal for almost all riders. For you too?

Definitely. It would be a great goal to be able to compete at the World Championships in Aachen in 2026. Of course, we still have to prove ourselves by then. But Otello achieved very, very good placings last indoor season, he presented himself strongly at the World Cup Final and was already completely unimpressed by the special setting in Aachen last year. If he shows a similar performance this season and we can deliver some good results throughout the year, then this World Championship will definitely be one of my main goals.

How excited are you – regardless of whether you are ultimately in the squad or not?

In any case, I’m already really looking forward to it – whether I end up taking part or not. A championship in your own country is always something special. And when it takes place in Aachen, on this world-famous showground, then you can be sure that it will be a great Championships. The expectations are high, but Aachen has proven often enough in the past that they can organize such events at an absolutely top level.

You have already mentioned it: Otello would be a possible WEG horse for Aachen. How are you currently preparing him for tasks at this level?

At the moment, I’m not training any differently just because a world championship is coming up. Otello is a horse that is very well trained in terms of endurance and masters both grass and sand arenas excellently. My daily training is all about keeping him mentally fresh so that he stays interested and motivated. Of course, I also ride him on the grass, do gymnastic work and sometimes go to the racecourse – all in all, I just try to bring as much variety as possible into his everyday life. That’s extremely important for a horse like him.

A special feature of the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 is that all six disciplines will be held in one place. What does this mean for the equestrian sport from your point of view?

This is actually something very unusual for our sport, because nowadays there are hardly any venues where all six disciplines can be held at the same time. That’s precisely why it’s so valuable when an organizer makes this possible. Many more people come together, very different disciplines meet, and this also creates a very special shared atmosphere. This is a strong signal for equestrian sport as a whole.

What makes this atmosphere in Aachen so unique for you personally?

On the one hand, of course, it’s the incredible number of people who come to Aachen. And it’s the fact that spectators can watch several disciplines in one place. Normally you have to travel for different disciplines, sometimes even to other cities or countries. In Aachen, on the other hand, you can watch show jumping one day, dressage, eventing or another discipline the next day – and all in a very small space. This is not only a big plus for the spectators, but also for the organizers and for us riders. This density of sport, emotion and spectators is rarely found anywhere else in the world.

Do you remember the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen? How did you experience this event?

Unfortunately, I was only able to watch the 2006 World Equestrian Games on TV, as I wasn’t at the start myself. The format was a bit different at the time, but I still remember very clearly watching the legendary horse change jumping competition on TV. The atmosphere, the images of the packed stadium, the enthusiasm – all of that also came across on the screen. If we manage to create a similarly special atmosphere in Aachen again in 2026, then it will be a World Championships that the equestrian sport will remember for a long time to come.

This is an interview from a press release. Further information on the 2026 World Equestrian Games in Aachen can be found here.