The German showjumping group has been revealed for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen (11-23 August) – as the house aspect boldly states “the objective is evident: a group medal”.
The group consists of present European champions Richard Vogel using United Contact S and former European champions Andre Thieme with DSP Chakaria. Olympic and European medallist Daniel Deusser will experience Otello De Guldenbloom and 2025 European bronze medallist Sophie Hinners has been named with Iron Dames Singclair. Each Daniel and Sophie’s horses are making their championship debut.
Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42, who had been a part of the 2025 Europeans group alongside Richard and Sophie, are first reserves. Maybe extra notably, 2024 Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 are second reserve.
A German federation spokesperson stated nationwide showjumping coach Otto Becker, who has led the house aspect to 13 senior medals throughout his 17-year tenureship, chosen a group skilled in championships – and that “the objective is evident: a group medal for Germany”. After all, the Germans may also be eyeing one of many seven 2028 LA Olympic spots up for grabs.
The stress will likely be on Germany to ship in entrance of the house crowd. Prior to now 10 years particular person medals have come thick and quick, however group gold has eluded them. They gained bronze on the 2025 Europeans, 2018 World Equestrian Video games and 2016 Rio Olympics – and silver on the 2021 dwelling Europeans in Reisenbeck.
With this in thoughts, some followers is perhaps left scratching their heads over the omission of legendary performer Marcus Ehning and reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk from the core group – however present type throughout the six combos reveals simply how enviable a place the German selectors had been in.
In February the federation stated that there was not a set choice for the showjumping group, “however quite an individually agreed-upon choice route” with Otto.
The document of Richard Vogel and 14-year-old tremendous stallion United Contact S speaks for itself; the formidable European gold medal-winning pair gained the Rolex grand prix on the Dutch Masters in March and the World Cup leg in Basel at first of the 12 months.
One other key issue is prone to be Aachen’s huge grass area. Richard and United Contact gained the CSI5* Rolex grand prix of Aachen in Might, and Sophie Hinners was third with 11-year-old Iron Dames Singclair – proving these pairs can ship there.
They don’t have championship expertise collectively, however final month Sophie and Singclair posted a double clear to assist Germany to the runner-up spot within the La Baule Nations Cup leg. This was alongside Richard, Daniel and Andre – all on their Aachen rides – displaying the 4 already work nicely as a group. They had been crushed by France by simply 2.55 penalties.
Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria have proven they’re nonetheless on the high of their sport 5 years after they gained particular person gold on the 2021 Europeans. The mare, now 16, had eight months out after selecting up an damage in the summertime of 2023 – however returned to win the Rolex grand prix of Aachen in July 2024. This 12 months, they helped Germany to first place on the Ocala leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in March and in Might they gained the Longines grand prix of Hamburg, one other huge grass area.
Olympic group bronze medallist Daniel Deusser and 12-year-old Otello De Guldenboom, may not have a championship underneath their belt, however the pair are constant on the high degree. Amongst their a number of high placings this 12 months, they had been second within the World Cup Closing in Fort Value in April, and a part of the Nations Cup squad at La Baule.
This isn’t to say Marcus Ehning and 13-year-old Coolio 42 or Christian Kukuk and 16-year-old Checker 47 are out of contact. Simply final month Marcus and the 13-year-old gelding gained the Longines grand prix of Switzerland – even whereas being chased by a unfastened canine.
Christian and Checker had been a part of that profitable group on the LLN Ocala alongside Richard and Andre in March, having posted a significant double clear, they usually have two latest International Champions League group victories underneath their belt as a part of Reisenbeck Worldwide.
Ought to Otto have to name on a reserve, he has two robust contenders ready within the wings, who importantly, will be capable to stand up to the excessive stress of being known as upon on the eleventh hour, if wanted.
Below the showjumping guidelines, every nationwide federation could enter a most of 5 athletes and 5 horses. The group will consist of 4 combos (or three, for these nations that would not have 4).
The substitution guidelines fluctuate between disciplines. For showjumping, within the occasion of accident or sickness of a horse or rider confirmed by medical certification, a substitution might be made as much as one hour earlier than the primary horse inspection on 17 August.
The fifth horse and rider mixture – in Germany’s case that is at the moment Marcus and Coolio – could take part within the coaching session on 18 August. The primary competitors session is on 19 August.
Chef d’equipes should declare in writing the members of the group by 5.15pm on 18 August. In circumstances of substitutions after this declaration, within the occasion of accident or sickness, a substitution could also be made till one hour earlier than the primary competitors – with medical certification and approval of the president of the bottom jury.
On the 2015 European Championships in Aachen the German group gained silver, and on the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Video games the group gained bronze. Might 2026 be the 12 months they bag a group gold in entrance of the Aachen crowd?
The German showjumping group for the 2026 World Championships (in alphabetical order of surname):
Daniel Deusser with 12-year-old stallion Otello De GuldenboomOwner: Stephex StablesBreeder: H VersnickBreeding: by Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, out of a mare by Caretino
Sophie Hinners with 11-year-old gelding Iron Dames SingclairOwner: Pegase Equestrian BVBreeder: J AB WanniusBreeding: by Singular Ls La Silla, out of a mare by VDL Cardento 933
Andre Thieme with 16-year-old mare DSP ChakariaOwner: Pferdemanagement & Advertising GmbHBreeder: Martin JuergensBreeding: by CHAP 47, out of a mare by Askari 173
Richard Vogel with 14-year-old stallion United Contact SOwner: Julius-Peter SinnackBreeder: OwnerBreeding: by Untouched, out of a mare by Lux Z Z
Reserves:
Marcus Ehning with 13-year-old gelding Coolio 42 (first reserve)Proprietor: rider and Elmrok BVBreeder: M WirtzBreeding: by Casalito, out of a mare by Quidam De Revel
Christian Kukuk with 16-year-old gelding Checker 47Owner: H & Associate Gbr and Madeleine Winter-SchulzeBreeder: Wolfgang KippBreeding: by Comme Il Faut 5, out of a mare by Loro Piana Come On
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H&H senior information author
Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and street security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call only a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Citadel Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
