The Aachen 2026 World Dressage Championship began with a total of 91 horse-and-rider combinations in competition. Following the various qualifying rounds, only 18 have managed to reach the grand individual final, the Grand Prix Freestyle, which takes place this Saturday in the Main Stadium.
Among those 18 horses that will fight for the medals, there is a particularly significant fact: three of them maintain a direct connection with Paul Schockemöhle, one of the most influential figures in the breeding, production and commercialisation of sport horses at an international level.
The first is Total Hope OLD, who will compete with the Norwegian rider Isabel Freese. The 14-year-old stallion, a son of Totilas and Blue Hors Don Schufro, has Paul Schockemöhle among his owners and will start in sixth position in the running order.
Bluetooth OLD will also be there, ridden by the German Frederic Wandres. The 16-year-old son of Bordeaux was bred at Gestüt Lewitz, Schockemöhle's well-known stud farm, although he is currently listed as being owned by Equitorus GmbH.
Completing the trio is Zantana RS2 Old N.O.P., the 12-year-old mare with whom Marieke van der Putten will represent the Netherlands. Sired by Zonik N.O.P. and out of Sir Donnerhall, she was also bred at Gestüt Lewitz and will be among the last six combinations to enter the Main Stadium arena.
Out of the 91 combinations that started the World Championship, only 18 remain in the fight for the individual title and three of those horses have passed directly through Paul Schockemöhle's setup.
A figure that once again reflects the significance of its breeding and production programme also in Dressage, and which will be represented tonight in one of the most important classes of the 2026 Aachen World Championship.
