With an illustrious career boasting Olympic bronze and a World Cup title, Daniel Deußer firmly belongs to the absolute royalty of international show jumping. He has conquered nearly every major arena in the world, yet his hunger for victory remains as sharp as ever. This summer, the global superstar has his sights set on one ultimate prize: the FEI World Championships in Aachen. Partnered with his powerhouse stallion, Otello de Guldenboom, Deußer is ready to chase glory on home soil. We caught up with the top rider to talk about securing that coveted team spot, his strategy for keeping Otello mentally fresh, and the unmatched magic of competing under the Aachen spotlight.
The perfect championship setting
"When the news broke in late 2023 that Aachen would host the 2026 World Championships, I was absolutely thrilled. Aachen is a venue where nothing is lacking—everything horses and riders could possibly need is right at hand. We enjoy a world-class show here every year, and I firmly believe that major championships deserve exactly this kind of premier setting."
Earning the ultimate team ticket
"With just over two and a half months to go, the World Championships are the ultimate goal for almost every rider, including myself. Competing in Aachen in 2026 would be a massive milestone. Of course, we still have to prove ourselves worthy of a team spot in the coming weeks. That said, Otello had a fantastic indoor season, delivered a stellar performance at the World Cup Final, and proved last year in Aachen that he is completely unfazed by the massive stadium atmosphere. If we keep delivering solid results, the World Championships will absolutely be our main focus."
High stakes on home soil
"Whether I make the final squad or not, I am incredibly excited. A major championship on home soil is always magical. But when it takes place at Aachen's world-famous showgrounds, you just know it’s going to be a masterpiece. The expectations are high, but Aachen has proven time and again that it excels under the global spotlight."
Variety is key for Otello
"I’m not radically changing Otello’s routine just because the World Championships are around the corner. He already has incredible stamina and handles both grass and sand arenas beautifully. My main focus in daily training is simply keeping him mentally fresh, interested, and motivated. I make sure we ride on grass regularly, work on his suppleness, and occasionally take him out to the racetrack. Keeping his routine varied is incredibly important for a horse of his caliber."
A powerful showcase for equestrian sport
"Having all six disciplines at a single venue is a rare and beautiful thing for our sport nowadays, as very few venues can pull it off. It sends a powerful message to the equestrian community. So many different disciplines and crowds converge in one place, creating a uniquely shared, electric atmosphere."
An unmatched concentration of sport and emotion
"For me personally, the magic of Aachen lies in the incredible crowds that pilgrimage here, and the fact that you can watch multiple disciplines in one spot. Normally, you have to travel to different cities or countries to see this variety. In Aachen, you can watch show jumping one day and dressage or eventing the next—all within walking distance. This concentration of world-class sport, raw emotion, and passionate spectators is unmatched anywhere else in the world."
Reliving the magic of 2006
"Back in 2006, I could only watch the World Equestrian Games in Aachen on television. The format was quite different then, but I vividly remember watching the legendary final four horse-swap competition from my living room. The atmosphere, the packed stadium, the sheer tension—you could feel it through the screen. If we can recreate that kind of magic in 2026, it will be a World Championship the equestrian world will remember for decades."
