Raphael Netz Leaves Aubenhausen to Go Independent

Dressage

Germany

German young Grand Prix rider Raphael Netz has decided to leave his employers of eight years, Jessica and Benjamin Werndl and their yard in Aubenhausen, to make the leap into independence.

Raphael Netz

Netz' dressage career started at an early age with a Haflinger. The family bought it as a 3-year and the pair moved up the levels together through Raphael's teenage years.

He was talent spotted by Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who cold emailed him when he was 17. She invited him to come ride for her and moved to Aubenhausen after he finished school. He has been riding there ever since.

Netz has represented Germany on Lacoste at the 2019 European Under 25 Championships, where they won team gold and placed 8th in the Short Grand Prix. At the 2020 European Under 25 Championships they reclaimed team gold and won short grand prix bronze. In 2021 he partnered with Akane Kuroki's Elastico and won silver at the inaugural German Under 25 Championships. At the 2021 European Under 25 Championships in Hagen, they won team and individual gold and Kur silver. At the 2022 European Under 25 Championships he piloted Ferdinand BB to triple gold.

Since December 2022 he has been riding Grand Prix horse Great Escape Camelot, with whom he is currently placed seventh on the 2023-2024 Western European League World Cup ranking list.

Move to Independence

Champagne shower for Netz on the 2021
EU25C podium

Netz and his girlfriend, German Under 25 rider Selina Söder, have decided to begin their own business as a pair.

They will be relocating to Philip Mücke's yard Gut Weiglschwaig in Moosburg an der Isar, where they are renting a stable track. The horses will move there on 1 May 2024.

"After eight wonderful years in Aubenhausen it is time for be to go the next step," the 24-year old Netz told Eurodressage. "Our focus is to train young horses up to Grand Prix level and compete them. We will also train selected students and will sell horses from time to time."

Netz looks back on a wonderful period at Aubenhausen. "It was a very special and successful time for me with Benjamin and Jessica," he said.