Jessica von Bredow-Werndl refutes the rumour that the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be Dalera's last show.
In Germany a rumour seems to be floating round that Von Bredow-Werndl will end the sport career of Beatrice Burchler-Keller's 17-year old Trakehner mare Dalera BB (by Easy Game x Handryk) in Paris, with the Olympics being the mare's last competition.
Dalera Decides When Her Last Show Is
In an interview with the big online sports website, www.sport.de, Jessica refutes that rumour. "I have never said that in my life," she stated. "I will decide from show to show."
Werndl admitted that "if I decide now that this is her last competition, I would not be able to handle it emotionally." She added, "Dalera will tell me when she does her last test. I won't tell her."
The German Olympic Team Selection trials kick off this weekend at the German Dressage Championships in Balve and then the riders need to compete at the CDIO Aachen as final qualifier before the team is announced.
The Pair to Beat
They first made it on the German team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, where they won team gold and placed 9th in the Special. At the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam they won team gold and kur bronze.
At the 2019 CDI-W Stuttgart their string of success started and only at in the spring of 2021 they weren't firmly fixed on the number one spot. In four tests they did not place first (2nd in the Grand Prix at the 2021 CDI-W Salzburg, 2nd in the GP Special at the CDI Hagen, and 3rd and 2nd in the Olympic team qualifier at the 2021 CDI Kronberg). After that it was a total conquest.
They won team and individual gold at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo and triple gold at the 2021 European Championships in Hagen. They did not achieve a triple crown as they did not ride at the 2022 World Championships in Herning due to Jessica giving birth to her second child. They won the World Cup Finals in 2022 and 2023 and got double gold and team silver at the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck. They have won the German Dressage Championships three times (2020 2021, 2023).
Succession
Jessica told Sport.de that she is not focusing on competing a successor this year.
"I considered that, but decided against it in order to concentrate fully on her (Dalera)," she said.
Jessica has been competing two Intermediaire II level horses on the national scene this spring: Great Gatsby PS (by Grey Flanell x Sir Donnerhal) and Got It BB (by Grand Galaxy Win x Don Schufro). Her most recent CDN start was in the St. Georg special aboard 8-year old Hanoverian Simba (by St. Schufro x Hofrat).
Photos © Astrid Appels
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