Jessica von Bredow-Werndl Withdraws Kismet from German WEG Team Contention

Dressage

Germany

Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has officially withdrawn herself from German team contention for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen.

She has cancelled her entry in the second, mandatory team selection trial at the CDIO Hagen next week.

Jessica was aiming for a team spot with Times Kismet, an 11-year old KWPN mare by Ampere x Lord Leatherdale x Jazz, who her business partner EE Invest bought in the spring of 2025. Kismet was bred and owned by Peter Belshaw and trained to schooling GP level by Charlotte Dujardin.

Jessica first competed the mare internationally in March and April 2026 at smaller CDI's in Italy away from the attention, winning all classes. After Ornago and Bedizzole, they headed to Mariakalnok in Hungary to place second twice. At the CDI Munich at the start of May they posted 74.522% to win the Grand Prix, raising hope for team consideration. At the first team trial, the German Championships, they finished 10th (71.500%) and were forced to withdraw from the competition due to a health safety precaution in the barn.

In order to keep herself in the mix for team selection, the pair had to compete in Hagen but will not be doing so.

"Together with Kiss’s owners, we have consciously decided to give her the time she needs," Jessica explained. "This is Kiss’s first Grand Prix season, and she has exceptional talent. Precisely because of that, it is important to us to develop her with patience and a long-term perspective."

She added, "With every competition, we continue to grow and learn. Over the summer, we want to stay committed to this path, without added pressure, but with a clear focus on her long-term development. In competitive sport, it is often tempting to seize every opportunity. But responsibility sometimes also means letting an opportunity pass when you are convinced it is the right decision for the future."