Olympic dressage champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl will miss the 2026 World Championships in Aachen after withdrawing her horse from selection trials. The decision centers on the health and development of her mare Times Kismet.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl announced on 28 June that Times Kismet would not compete in the German team selection trial in Hagen from 1 to 5 July. She described the choice as difficult but necessary to allow the 11-year-old mare time to develop without added pressure during her first Grand Prix season.
The rider has no other horse at international Grand Prix level. Her previous top mount TSF Dalera BB retired in August 2024, and Diallo BB died earlier this year. Times Kismet and von Bredow-Werndl placed 10th in the Grand Prix at the German Championships in early June before a quarantine period.
Ingrid Klimke is also out of contention. She and Vayron NRW missed both the German Championships and the upcoming Hagen trial after the gelding was deemed not yet fit enough.
