By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
AACHEN, Germany, Aug. 10, 2026–All 91 dressage horses passed World Championship veterinary examination Monday ready to begin two days of Grand Prix with three of 19 national teams to make the podium.
The final standings are reckoned by odds makers to see the top three teams as the home side Germany, Great Britain and Denmark, the three nations that were on the podium in 2022 with Denmark capturing gold, Great Britain silver and Germany bronze. The top three in a team count toward the final result.
This time, the German team includes seven-time World Championship veteran Isabell Werth and Paris Olympic gold medal team mates Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth OLD plus Katherina Hemmer on the U.S.-owned Denoix PCH and Great Escape Camelot ridden by Raphael Netz.
All eyes will be on Glamourdale with Charlotte “Lottie” Fry of Britain aboard the reigning individual world champion from 2022, the veteran competitor and trainer Carl Hester on Fame, Becky Moody on her 2026 World Cup champion and home-bred mount Jagerbomb and Fiona Bigwood on her rising Bella Donna.
Denmark’s main hope for medals will be on Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on the 17-year-old Mount St. John Freestyle that’s ranked No. 1 in the world, along with Daniel Bachmann Andersen on Flash Gordon, Carina Cassøe Krüth on Heiline’s Danciera and Nadja Aaboe Sloth on Favour Gersdorf.
Many nations will be looking to finish in the top six that will earn a start at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
