It is the first time the double Olympic gold medallist Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is competing at the CHIO Aachen again with her top horse TSF Dalera BB since 2019. We spoke to the 37-year-old about her expectations, her rituals prior to important competitions and her very special connection to her horse.

It is the first time the double Olympic gold medallist Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is competing at the CHIO Aachen again with her top horse TSF Dalera BB since 2019. We spoke to the 37-year-old about her expectations, her rituals prior to important competitions and her very special connection to her horse.

Jessica, how much are you looking forward to competing in the Deutsche Bank Stadium again this year?

I am mega excited. I was pregnant last year when the CHIO Aachen was on. I was here in person to support my brother and I stood at the entrance rather feeling rather melancholy. So I am all the more happier to be competing myself again this year.

You have brought your top horse Dalera with you to Aachen again for the first time since 2019. Is she in good form?

She is very well. This morning she bucked (laughs). I think she is delighted to be back here too.

What makes Dalera so special for you?

I know every time when I ride into the arena she will give 100 percent and even more. That always leaves me rather emotional, because it is not something that can be taken for granted. On the one hand she is very intelligent and gentle and then on the other she is like a rockstar. This combination is so incredibly nice and something very special.

You two have more or less won everything there is to win over the past two years. The only thing that is missing is an entry on the legendary winners’ board in Aachen. Is taking the victory in the Deutsche Bank Prize your goal this week?

Of course I have stood in front of that board so often and dreamt of being able to read my name on it one day. I don’t know if I will succeed in achieving that this year, but I will certainly try my hardest. And as far as Dalera is concerned, I know she always gives it her best shot.

You have won so many titles in the meantime. Many people believe it is quite matter of course that you win. Do you think that yourself?

No. I know how important it is every time to concentrate on the here and now and get everything together in the decisive moment. If everything goes the way I planned in a test, ideally everything always looks very easy. That often gives the impression that this really is the case. But it is not of course. A lot of work goes into it every successful ride. And it is always possible that things don’t go according to plan.

Tomorrow the Lambertz Nations Cup is on the agenda. How do you rate the chances of the German team?

Our team is very strong. But I know that the other teams are very strong too. Especially the teams from Great Britain and Denmark shouldn’t be underestimated. At the end of the day, the form on the day will be decisive as to who is on the top step of the winners’ rostrum.

Do you carry out any rituals before competitions?

Yes, loads. It starts in the morning already, first of all I always do my fitness exercises. Then, I take Dalera for a walk, then we ride at a walk or I let her jog a bit. Two and a half hours before the class I plait her main and tail and from then on everything is timed perfectly. We have a lot of rituals that give both me and Dalera a sense of security.

Which competition are you looking forward to most this week?

To the freestyle. First of all I hope we qualify, of course. But if we do, I am particularly looking forward to Sunday. Our routine is relatively new. During my maternity leave I occupied myself intensively with it – and I love the result. The music and the choreography, they fit together perfectly. And when I dive into this freestyle with Dalera  and we are really in “flow”, it really is like we are dancing.