FEI Dressage World Championships Aachen 2026: Germany Lead After Day One
The FEI Dressage World Championships Aachen 2026 got underway with Germany setting the early pace. Following the opening half of the Lambertz Prize, the competition deciding the team medals, the host nation sits at the top of the provisional standings thanks to strong performances from Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth OLD and Raphael Netz with Camelot.
Ahead of the evening’s Opening Ceremony, the first two combinations from each nation entered Aachen’s iconic Main Stadium. The standout performance of the day came from Frederic Wandres, who produced an impressive Grand Prix aboard Bluetooth OLD to score 75.963%, a result that also put the pair at the top of the provisional individual standings.
His performance earned high praise from German national coach Monica Theodorescu, who described it as “one of his best, if not the best Grand Prix ever.”
Wandres himself made no secret of the pressure he had felt before entering the arena, joking afterwards: “A huge burden dropped to the floor and is now lying somewhere near marker B.”
Raphael Netz had earlier opened Germany’s World Championship campaign. Making his debut at this level, the 27-year-old posted 73.338% with Camelot despite a minor mistake in the one-tempi changes.
“It is simply fantastic to be here,” Netz said. “I was aware of the responsibility, but I tried not to let it affect me too much.” The tension nevertheless made itself felt before the competition, with the German rider admitting that he had been unable to take his customary nap ahead of an important test.
Great Britain currently occupies second place in the team standings. Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, the reigning World Cup champions, scored 73.820%, enough to sit second individually after the opening day. The British rider, however, made no attempt to conceal her disappointment after several mistakes crept into their test. “That isn’t the result I wanted to deliver for my team,” she admitted.
Just outside the provisional top three are two experienced championship riders partnered with promising ten-year-old horses. Australia’s Simone Pearce and Will Marq earned 72.391%, narrowly ahead of Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen and Navarro, who currently sit fifth on 72.376%.
Another of the day’s most memorable performances came from 21-year-old Austrian rider Felicita Simoncic, who has been competing at senior level for just ten months. Riding Four Legends, she achieved a new personal best of 70.730% on her World Championship debut, securing provisional tenth place.
The battle for the Lambertz Prize remains wide open. On Wednesday, 12 August, the remaining two combinations from each nation will take to the arena, with the World Championship team medals set to be decided. The results will also determine qualification for Friday’s MEGGLE Prize, the Grand Prix Special, which will form the next stage of the individual championship.
Provisional individual standings after Day One
- Frederic Wandres – Bluetooth OLD (GER) – 75.963%
- Becky Moody – Jagerbomb (GBR) – 73.820%
- Raphael Netz – Camelot (GER) – 73.338%
- Simone Pearce – Will Marq (AUS) – 72.391%
- Therese Nilshagen – Navarro (SWE) – 72.376%
Source: Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV)
Photo: ALRV/Jasmin Metzner
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