- Text © Eurodressage (this article expresses Eurodressage's' eye-witness account and opinion about the competition)
-- Photos © Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No reproduction allowed - NO SCREENSHOTS!
It's a little surreal to describe the feeling and roller coaster dressage aficionadoes are on attending both the World Championships for young horses in Verden and the World Championships for seniors in Aachen back-to-back. After a glorious week at the Hanoverian headquarters in Verden with brilliant weather and sport, there was zero rest for the weary. While Verden wrapped up on Sunday afternoon at 17h with the 7-year old finals, the action in Aachen kicked off at 8h30 Monday early morning 10 August 2026.
Monster Charged
For this journalist the tight schedule between two of FEI's major Championships this summer created a bottleneck beyond comparison. With no staff manning the computer while I photograph and take notes on the riders, it only took one competition day to get fully congested with work. I have three reports to write on the 5, 6 and 7-year olds and thousands of photos to organize to conclude the coverage from Verden. Impossible ! As soon as the prize giving was done at 17h I didn't even wait for the press conference but packed my things and sped out of the Lower Saxonian town for the four-hour drive home to Belgium.
The Buzz
Even though two weeks before the World Championships the Aachen media team went into overdrive with hyping the competition on social media, an interesting management change for the press took place. Press chef Tobias Königs left Aachen and his position has been filled by Julius Laschet; the new head honcho for media relations to get acquainted with.
On the weekend colleagues in Verden began feeling very nervous as more changes were implemented in what is otherwise known as Aachen's smoothly oiled organsation. Journalists are creatures of habit and crave convenience. They like the same work space, good internet connection, a safe environment for their equipment, and be fed plenty of water, coffee and food to survive. This year Aachen decided to burden the press with a parking spot far away at "Areal L". Located what seems 5 kilometers away, we will have to "schlepp" at least twenty kilos of equipment across the distance like packing mules traversing the Andes. A shuttle bus should drive us to the venue, but as we all know how, shuttle busses often don't drive on time. They are never there when you need them to be. So skittish journalists were making phone calls and whatsapping all weekend in Verden trying to fix a different parking spot as well as force a change in the schedule because the accreditation only opened on Monday morning 8 AM and the vet check starting at 8h30.
Fortunately after some wheeling and dealing it was arranged that the accreditation office would open early and we could get our passes, bibs, and lockers without having to sprint across the show grounds.
All Horses Pass
As is usual in Aachen the stewards and security personal were back in strict German policing mode and did not give us any flexibility to "work the room". We couldn't truly stand in a good spot for the trot up. The early morning light reflected off the newly painted white stable buildings, there were shades cast by the trees, and with a sharp rising sun the conditions for good photography were as good as rain on a pick-nick day.
Ninety-one horses were presented for inspection and all of them passed. Nineteen countries are fielding a team. Several unruly horses were asked to trot up twice, but also Polish Maxima Bella needed a second go before hearing "accepted". No horses were sent to the holding box.
-- Photos © Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No reproduction allowed - NO SCREENSHOTS!
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2026 World Championships Dressage
