Interview with Vaulters Kathrin Meyer and Thomas Brüsewitz

In the run-up to the World Championships in Aachen, the host organization, the Aachen-Laurensberger Racing Club (ALRV), spoke with the two German medal contenders in vaulting, Kathrin Meyer and Thomas Brüsewitz.

Meyer is the most successful German vaulting athlete of recent years. She was crowned European champion twice, in 2023 and 2025. She has won the World Cup Final three times—a feat no other female vaulter has achieved before her. She has also won twice in Aachen.

Thomas Brüsewitz has a two-win lead over her. He went undefeated four times in Aachen, from 2016 to 2019. Before him, only Kai Vorberg—now the national team coach—had achieved that feat. That’s not the only thing that connects “Thommy” Brüsewitz to Aachen. It was here in 2015 that he competed in his first senior championship—the European Championships—where he won silver right off the bat. So he knows what it’s like to perform at a world-class level in the indoor dressage arena.

Brüsewitz and Meyer spoke with the ALRV about this and their feelings as they now look ahead to the World Championships (for vaulters, August 13–16). For both of them, this will be the last championship of their careers. Meyer will turn 26 at the end of October, and Brüsewitz celebrated his 32nd birthday in May.

Interview

What makes a World Cup year special for you, especially when it’s a home World Cup? What are your expectations?

Kathrin Meyer: It’s always something special for us to come to Aachen every year and be able to compete there. Now that we’re there at the same time as the other disciplines, it creates a whole different vibe, and you can connect with all the athletes much more. And Aachen is a venue where the conditions are just perfect—it’s bound to be awesome.

Thommy Brüsewitz: I couldn’t agree more. A World Championship in our own country—and hosted by my favorite organizer, no less—is something truly special that we’re all eagerly looking forward to. It’s been more than ten years since a championship was held in Germany. That’s exactly why every vaulter dreams of this. I hope we can showcase our sport in the best possible way on a stage like this. Vaulting is a sport that can truly inspire people, and we want to convey that to the outside world. Hopefully, we’ll achieve that by showing what we can do and what we love.

Thommy, you mentioned the 2015 European Championships. You were already here back then, so you know what the atmosphere is like in the indoor stadium. What’s the vibe like in the circle?

Thommy Brüsewitz: The atmosphere in 2015 was absolutely amazing. We were practically carried into the circle; there was a sea of German flags, and the scene was just incredible. It was truly inspiring to run in there. To be honest, nothing in recent years has come close to that. I hope there will be lots of spectators there again this time and that they’ll be waving German flags for us.

You both know what it’s like to win in Aachen. What are your goals for the World Cup? What have you set out to do?

Kathrin Meyer: Of course, my goal is to compete at the top. But the competition isn’t going to let up. I’d say it’s going to be a tough race, but we’re well prepared and will definitely give it our all to perform at the level we’ve shown in training. That’s especially true for my freestyle routine. It embodies this special year for me—and the feelings that come up when you think about retiring from the sport. It’s meant to showcase my entire journey, as well as the people and horses who have supported me along the way. It’s definitely going to be emotional.

Thommy Brüsewitz: Above all, I want to enjoy myself. I’m so grateful for this whole experience and want to consciously take in once again everything I’ve been able to experience over the past few years. It’s a great honor for me to be able to be a part of all the fun. I want to take a moment to pause and take in every single moment—whether it’s good or bad—and carry it with me. On the athletic side, I’ll of course try to give it my all, but that’s something we always strive for.

For both of you, this will be the last championship after a long and successful career. Does that put extra pressure on you, or does it give you even more motivation to really give it your all one last time?

Kathrin Meyer: I would definitely say that the pressure is different this year. Whether that’s because it’s a World Championship, a home championship, or the final championship—there are a lot of factors at play. But I’m definitely looking forward to it, and together with Gesa and Capi (lunger Gesa Bührig with Capitain Claus OLD), it’s going to be something very special either way.

Thommy Brüsewitz: I’ve tried not to think about it too much, but lately I haven’t really been able to do that very well (laughs). It’s still hard for me to grapple with the question: “What are you actually going to do when all this is over?” I’m a little afraid of falling into a hole. Of course, it’s on my mind, but I’m not letting it drive me crazy. To be honest, more than anything, I just want to be grateful once again that I get to experience all of this.

The nominated German vaulters

The competition Meyer referred to comes, among other places, from within their own ranks. The following vaulters have been nominated for the World Championships:

Women’s

• Alice Layher with FBW Candy and Daniel Zembrot; reserve horse: Nugat and Michelle Kung


• Kathrin Meyer with Capitain Claus OLD and Gesa Bührig


• Annemie Szemes with Rubinio and Nina Vorberg
  
  , 1st alternate: Gianna Ronca with Max and Sarah Krauß

Men

• Thomas Brüsewitz with Belistano HF and Alexandra Knauf


• Leon Hüsgen with Rockemotion NRW and Nina Vorberg


• Bela Lehnen with Max and Sarah Krauß, as well as Formula 1 DC and Alexandra Knauf
  
  , 1st reserve: Jannik Heiland with Rey Rubino and Lars Hansen

Pas de Deux

• Kimberly Hyks and Jannik Heiland with Crashkurs and Andrea Harwardt


• Philine Lindhorst and Cjell Aaron Richert with Chagall and Andrea Lindhorst
  
  ; 1st Reserve: Gisa Sternberg and Linda Otten with Espresso and Cornelia Ammermann

Teams

Team NORKA Automation from VV Köln-Dünnwald I with Ecuador (who, incidentally, began his athletic career as a candidate at Stephan Borgmann’s stable auction ), with Fantomas as the reserve horse, and Alexandra Knauf

If you’d like to attend the event in Aachen, tickets are available here.