Werth Anchors Germany to 13th Dressage Team World Gold

On a warm August evening in Aachen, Isabell Werth anchored Germany to team dressage gold at the 2026 FEI World Championships. Her score of 79.88% aboard Wendy de Fontaine secured a 13th world team title for the host nation.

Ten titles, one first

The gold was the 10th world championship title of Werth’s record-breaking career. It arrived exactly 20 years after Germany’s last home triumph at the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games.

A lead built by the young guard

The victory was effectively sealed before Werth entered the ring. Raphael Netz and Frederic Wandres gave Germany a comfortable cushion on the opening day, and Katharina Hemmer produced a personal best of 79.224% on her World Championship debut. Two judges awarded her over 80%, guaranteeing Germany a medal and shifting the pressure onto the anchor combination.

Werth and Wendy de Fontaine navigated a tense test in a charged arena. The mare, visibly affected by the large home crowd, delivered a few uneasy moments — “I was a little surprised that Wendy was impressed,” Werth told reporters afterwards — but the pair held their line. Germany’s final team total of 235.063% left Britain 3.618 points behind in silver, with defending champions Denmark taking bronze.

“It is very special to be back on the team here 20 years after our gold in Aachen and to win gold again,” Werth said. The most decorated equestrian in Olympic history now carries 10 world golds, a tally unlikely to be touched for decades.

No German pairing finished inside the individual top three, a reminder that the team’s strength was depth rather than a single standout star. Asked about the road to Los Angeles, Werth offered only: “Step by step, and then the horse will make the plan.”