Christian Kukuk and the 16-year-old Westphalian were designated as the reserve pair for the German team at the World Championships in Aachen. The Olympic champion had made it clear on several occasions that he could not understand the decision to omit him and his Olympic partner from the World Championship team.

Following the conclusion of the championship, the two are no longer part of the Olympic squad at their own request. Christian Kukuk took part in the opening ceremony alongside the German team and had stabled the 16-year-old Checker for the warm-up class in Aachen. Since Christian Kukuk currently has no other horse in the Olympic show jumping squad, he is no longer part of the German elite squad, according to the federation. His second top horse, the mare Just be Gentle (by Tyson), with whom Kukuk contributed to the German team bronze medal at the European Championships in A Coruña, most recently competed in July only in minor classes.