The Austrian equestrian federation has announced the team that will represent Austria at the 2026 World Championships in dressage and para dressage in Aachen on 11 - 20 August 2026.
The Austrian team will be captained by Christian Steiner, who is the newly appointed Technical Director for dressage in Austria. He was absent from accompanying the Austrian youth riders at their two European Championships at the start of July, but will join the seniors in Aachen.
The Austrian dressage team includes:
- Ulrike Prunthaller – Fleur TSF
- Peter Gmoser – Dante´s Daiquiri
- Felicita Simoncic – Four Legends
- Bettina Kendlbacher – Broadmoars Don Alfredo AWÖ
No reserve was announced although insiders say Stefan Lehfellner received the spot. Florian Bacher (Da Vinci), Katharina Haas (Let it Be), Christian Schumach (Dedale de Hus) and Lehfellner (L'Espoir de Massa) were all nominatively entered.
For the first time, in what seems years, Austrians Olympians and stalwarts Victoria Max-Theurer (either/or) Stefan Lehfellner were not directly selected on the team. Max-Theurer is pregnant with her first child.
Ulrike Prunthaller, on the other hand, has ridden herself on the senior Grand Prix team for the first time in her career. She previously represented Austria at the 2008 and 2014 World Young Horse Championships.
The Austrian para dressage team includes:
- Thomas Haller – Haller´s Hermine
- Julia Mitterhuemer – Showgirl 4
- Pepo Puch – Royale Choice
- Julia Sciancalepore – Heinrich IV
Photo © Astrid Appels
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