By ILSE SCHWARZ
VERDEN, Germany, Aug. 5, 2026—For the first time in many, many young horse championships, I arrived the day before the classes actually started, rather than the previous day. I was not able to find any airfare that would get me to arrive early enough for the majority of the first class so I decided on the luxury of an entire day to arrive in Europe and make my way to my apartment. In 2025, due to delays and regular travel hiccups, I missed the entire 6-year-old class. I am truly glad, thrilled and relieved that I took the time to get here this year. I would normally do a travelog/blog type post for my first Verden story, but it is late, I have lots to say after watching 45 horses, some were very good, some were very bad and, as the judges absolutely prioritized harmony it was lovely to see. And an extra bonus as Isabell Werth and V-Power were fourth to ride. I would have hated to have missed that.
If we were to look at the statistics: In 2024, 19 6-year-old horses scored over 80%, 18 horses achieved this score in 2025 and in 2026 it was 16 horses. Interestingly, the score to make it directly into the finals, meaning you were top 12, was 83.4% in both 2024 and 2025. This year it is 82.2%. I do believe the submission score is a large factor in the slight change in the scores. These are the World Championships, so on the whole, with some huge exceptions, these are athletes at the top of their field. The way they are ridden and presented is becoming increasingly important. There was not one single horse that showed over-riding and tension and flash that was rewarded for their riders misguided efforts. Instead, the overall look was one of a quiet assurance that the work was going to be balanced, harmonious and conducive to the development of a future Grand Prix athlete.
I deliberately do NOT revise and research these horses who make it to the championships. I want to look and assess with an unbiased eye. Reward and critique without preconceived ideas. But, even with that, it was not possible to realize just how many of the top five year olds from 2025 are being successful as six year olds. This truly indicates that the sport is going in the right direction as the horses are being developed with a higher degree of collection, the ability to show bend, true extensions and adjustability and are showing expression as individuals while continuing to develop and learn.
Being able to develop as individuals is important, I think. It’s interesting to see how differently these top youngsters move. How the mechanics vary. Although one thing is consistent, they all carry their hind legs under themselves and then propel themselves forward in an uphill balance. There are the loose-limbed, completely supple creatures that just look like the softest horses ever to sit on, as all of their joints shock absorb, even when they are coming off the ground way more than the average horse. The ability to create loft each stride was rewarded as long as the horses didn’t sort of just “float” above the ground without forwards impulsion. There were quite a few who presented as “floaters”. Perhaps a misguided understanding of not over-riding? They photograph beautifully, but there is a lack of activity and true impulsion so it is not a way forwards to develop an FEI horse.
Some have a more spidery front leg and reaching forelimb, and as long this was accompanied by an engaged active hind leg the judges and I loved it.
There were some that were true leg movers, their backs not really involved in creating lift or swing, so no real spring and bending of the hocks, even though they came off the ground in an impressive manner… they sort of “hit” the ground and bounced up without really bending their hind limb joints. In some cases it could just be an awkward growth phase, but in many cases the rider simply can’t lift the shoulders to give space for the hind legs to travel up and under the body.
Some horses had “interesting” necks. I hate to say it, but the “Dutch” neck still seems to be a thing. Where the horse is more upright than uphill. The poll is absolutely the highest point but the under neck is engaged and the top line is not uniformly through. The back presents as almost hollow. There were a couple of horses that I KNOW would absolutely change their way of going for the better if the rider could simply start focusing on lifting and suppling the shoulders and less on presenting a high poll that is held. I think it is no accident that the top placed Dutch horses for today were in equal 12th place.
Before I move onto my initial thoughts on the top group of horses, this is what the judges thought.
“That was really great today. We saw some very good horses that were presented very well. The emphasis was on harmony; the horses were enjoying showing themselves off here. We want to see the horses moving in balance. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an enormous amount of forehand action; it should be balanced between front and hind. That’s the most important thing. The quality of the horses has always been there, but the training and presentation have changed enormously. As a result, the horses are more well-rounded: they don’t ‘just’ trot spectacularly; they trot evenly, over their backs, with good contact; their walk is also good, and their canter is well-struck–the horses have improved even further in every respect.”
I can’t agree more. I believe this is absolutely a case of judging truly guiding and changing the direction of the sport. These championships are becoming a venue to present the top athlete, trained in a sustainable, productive and, ultimately, successful manner. I know that some of the warming up is still not what we want, but they can only judge what is in the arena, and there is no doubt that this is changing in a strongly positive direction.
OK, enough preaching! Those who have trained with me know that I am relentless about improving the balance and connection and I am ecstatic to be seeing this occurring at the very top levels.
The winner of the class today was the Danish gelding Faustino G ridden by Betina Jaeger with a score of 9.26. Faustino G (Blue Horse Farrell x Sezuan) received 9.7 for his trot, 8.5 for his walk, 9.3 for his canter, 9.5 for suppleness and 9.3 for future potential. This horse is just downright elegant and light footed. He finished 4th in the 5-year-old class at the 2025 championships. I started watching him warm up during a break and I have to say he was the most normal looking bay gelding. What a remarkable transformation over 20 minutes! Faustino is exquisite, uphill and carries a presence that just entrances you. He is a tall horse with very long legs, and as a 5-year-old struggled with consistent balance and expression, although his talent was clearly evident. He is much stronger, more consistent and an absolute delight to watch.
Second place went to another Danish horse, the mare “Dizzy” (Hesselhøj Donkey Boy x Blue Horse Zack) ridden by Meritra Hagren. My notes literally read “So, I rather like this horse (yay me ) but the neck gets so tight in the gullet but she actually doesn’t engage her under neck and is soft and quiet in the contact, and you can visibly see the correct muscles of the topline working. In the walk she reaches with her topline beautifully and showed a lovely uberstreichen in the canter. I guess the judges also liked her and were not too hindered by her profile. She definitely gave full power in her extensions. With a score of 8.92 with a 9.0 for her trot, walk and perspective.
Third and fourth place were incredibly close with two finishing the test with an overall score of 8.82. The higher mark for submission determined the final ranking so the Hanoverian stallion, Sir Gribaldi (Secret x All Inclusive) ridden by the German Beatrice Arturi finished just ahead of Isabell Werth on the Westfalen stallion V-Power. V-Power did not present his best walk today, the score of 7.2 reflecting a rhythm that was “dangerous” to say the least. However his trot (9.5) and canter (9.7) were extraordinary.
It is worth mentioning here what Isabell had to do to present this wonderful stallion at 9.24 this morning. Verden was a logistical challenge of a special kind. She travelled from the World Championships training camp in Warendorf, presented V-Power in the arena, drove the nearly three hours back to Warendorf, mounted Wendy de Fontaine there, and then drove the three hours back to Verden to take part in the prize-giving ceremony with V-Power.
“Extraordinary horses require extraordinary measures,” emphasizes Isabell with absolute conviction.”We had two minor issues in the transitions during the test, but the overall picture–the horse’s immense potential – is truly superb. The horse combines just about everything one could wish for.”
In no particular order, I also found the following horses very interesting.
Lindenberg (Libertad FRH x Destano), A Hanoverian stallion ridden by Jacob Schenk started the day. This stallion was already successful winning the Bundeschampionat as a 4-year-old. He had a very soft and loose way of moving and was an inspiring way to start the day. There was some tilting in the shoulder in and started a little tight behind but they ended up in 8th place with a personal best score of 84.6.
I absolutely adore the big, not so feminine Oldenburg mare Viva Diamond OLD (Vitalis x Don Diamond FBW) ridden by Linda Weiß. This pair finished 2nd in the 5-year-old finals in 2025 so have something to prove. However this did not create any frantic desperate energy. Linda presented the mare in the most beautiful steady frame and contact. The connection was quiet and soft. Her trot showed cadence while maintaining swing forwards. I looked at my notes and commented last year that she may have been the best ridden horse in the class. I would have to say the same thing again today. They can add a little more power in the final and maybe climb up the ranks. Today they finished in 5th place with a score of 87.2%. And a 9.0 for submission.
The Swedish horse Sundown (Suarez x Bellagio) ridden by Sofie Lexner finished in 14th place, with a score of 81.6 and will have to fight for a place in the big final by going through the small final. However, this pair just charmed me with their confident uphill balance and beautifully correct way of going. She has much room to add more power, I believe. Regardless, he will be very nice as a Grand Prix horse.
Finally, It is worth mentioning that for the first time ever a Friesian Sport Horse made the finals. What a glorious example of the breed. He had possibly the best flying changes of the entire day and his rider, Danielle Heijkoop had a broad smile on her face for much of the ride.
