Von Bredow-Werndl’s Earnings: Next Title and Eye on the Olympics – Olympic Champion Defends Both Titles
The road to the Olympic Games in Paris looks promising: Germany’s biggest medal hopeful in dressage is Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. In Balve, she secured two German championship titles.
Maintaining composure: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and mare Dalera were unbeatable in Balve.
First, there were praising pats for the gold mare Dalera, then a few tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of top dressage rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. She had a feeling that once again, she had nailed the best freestyle on Sunday. The 38-year-old was rewarded with 89.600 percent and another German championship title. Additionally, unlike other squad riders, she is already a confirmed participant in the Olympic Games.
For the second time in a row and the third time overall, she secured both gold medals in Balve – just under seven weeks before the start of the year’s highlight in the French capital, the form and path of Germany’s biggest medal hopeful in dressage are promising.
„It felt so easy, so natural, and so powerful – I could have ridden the freestyle four more times, and Dalera would have performed just the same,“ said Jessica von Bredow-Werndl.
„I have never felt this way before. Tears immediately shot into my eyes when I finished,“ said the rider from Aubenhausen with a trembling voice. The day before, she had already won the Special. „It felt so easy, so natural, and so powerful – I could have ridden the freestyle four more times, and Dalera would have performed just the same.“
In Balve, where the national championships will take place until 2030, not everything was perfect despite the success, especially on Thursday during the first qualifier. There were also minor imperfections on Saturday. „But that’s completely fine. This is the only way I get an honest reflection of what the right measure is,“ said the team and two-time individual Olympic champion from Tokyo, who improved in the freestyle and withstood the pressure from second-placed Frederic Wandres on Duke of Britain (83.450 percent).
National coach Monica Theodorescu was satisfied but acknowledged „room for improvement“ among her squad riders before the next selection tournament in Aachen, where the Paris squad will be announced.
Race against time for Wendy de Fontaine
This is especially true for Isabell Werth. The seven-time Olympic champion originally intended to compete in the Sauerland with Quantaz and Wendy de Fontaine. However, the mare suffered an injury just before the national competition. „I hope there is a way for Wendy,“ said Theodorescu. „The horse must be 100 percent fit. Health and fitness are top priorities.“
Since there is no discard result in the Games‘ scoring, according to the national coach, there is „absolutely no room for games or health uncertainties.“ With Quantaz, Werth finished fifth in both championship rankings. „Today I messed up because I rode the changes too casually and oddly,“ said the 54-year-old.
Unlike Werth, von Bredow-Werndl is currently not dealing with health issues with her top mare. „Dalera has never felt fitter and fresher than now. Her hair wasn’t wet – despite the sun and warmth. That was exactly my goal. So, we will stay calm and continue working quietly,“ she said on Saturday.
Choreography tailored to Tokyo
The Bavarian rider, who will take a break in Aachen, is still adjusting minor details in her program. „This is my hobby. I love experimenting,“ said von Bredow-Werndl. In Balve, there was already a preview in the freestyle. „I haven’t changed musically, but choreographically,“ she said. „I believe it’s also important for me to always stay in this development mode. That’s why I felt in the freestyle that there are better lines for us. Perhaps it was the optimal line that we already had in Tokyo.“
The rest is history: In Japan, von Bredow-Werndl was rewarded with three gold medals for her creativity and tinkering. A repeat of this achievement is her big wish. Theodorescu also sees her „on a very good path.“