Photo Report: From Anticipation to Memory, Aachen 2026 Truly Delivered

-- Text and Photos © Barbara Schnell

We've been looking forward to the 2026 World Equestrian Games in Aachen for three years with lots of anticipation ... and then, in the blink of an eye, the dressage part was over.

As a photographer, though, I'm incredibly lucky to conserve some of those "blinks" in a palpable - visible - form, so I can remember at leisure what moved or interested me during my seven days in Aachen.

So here are some of the wildly various blinks of my camera. Becky Moody training with a snaffle and without spurs. The immense amounts of water used to keep the showgrounds green in a parched environment. Cool oranje outfits :-) Seasoned riders being awed enough to take selfies. Daniel Bachman training without stirrups and the astonishing changes this seemingly simple measure brought. Old stable elements being transformed into shelter huts for volunteers.

Wildfire smoke from the High Fens in Belgium rising above the venue in Germany. The moment Monica Theodorescu and Katharina Hemmer heard the bronze-winning result being announced from the stadium. The halters hanging from both gates of the main stadium in case a horse frees himself from rider and bridle (mostly a show jumping thing, though). Groom recognition in many forms, here: a pulse meter. Babies watching their dads compete in an arena packed with 40.000 people. And the many many photographers dedicated to producing their own, individual "blinks".

From anticipation to memory, Aachen 2026 truly delivered.

Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2026 World Championships Dressage
2026 World Championships in Aachen: All Inclusive Innovations for Sport and Spectators