Jessica von Bredow-Werndl: Germany's Dressage Queen

Jessica's success story

Jessica was drawn to horses from the age of four. Once a week, she went to the local riding stable for vaulting lessons and her first playful encounters with horses. One of Jessica's aunts bred Lewitzer ponies in Aubenhausen at the time. So it came about that Jessica was given a Lewitzer foal as a gift when she was six years old: Little Girl. When Little Girl was ready, riding instructor Paul Elzenbaumer helped break in the pony mare and gave Jessica lessons. In 1993, Jessica and Little Girl won the lead rein class in Munich-Riem. To this day, she continues to impress with her correct and supple seat. At Jessica's first riding competition, instructor Stefan Münch approached the Werndl family. “Because I was the only one who had her pony by the neck in the competition,” laughs Jessica. The collaboration was quickly sealed: for the next twelve years, siblings Jessica and Benjamin Werndl trained with Stefan Münch. During her pony days, Jessica made it into the national squad with Dacapo, whom she had “inherited” from her brother, and at the age of 14 she switched to large horses. “Nokturn was incredibly correct. He was the one who earned me my first 10 for holding. He didn't even twitch an ear!” At the same time as Nokturn, the family bought Bonito at the young age of four. Even back then, the Werndls' motto was: buy young and train yourself. That has remained their motto to this day.

2002 — Jessica's first European championship mission was on the agenda

She was actually supposed to start with Nokturn, but Bonito had qualified as her reserve horse. A week before the European Championships, Nokturn was injured and had to withdraw. Bonito was only seven, but he stepped in for Nokturn and the pair came home with double gold! The following year, Jessica competed in the young riders' category, even though she was still a junior. Duchess was her partner at the 2003 European Championships, where she won team gold and individual silver! “It was incredible, and it went on like that for four years,” Jessica still seems to marvel years later.
After her young rider days came the break. The family bought young horses for Jessica and Benjamin. The goal was ambitious: to find their way into Grand Prix sport with horses they had trained themselves. From 2007 to 2011, the siblings regularly traveled to Isabell Werth for training. “I just asked Isabell and she said yes,” Jessica recalls happily even today.

2011 — that was not an easy year for Jessica. A year of change!

“In the summer of 2011, I had reached rock bottom. I had fought for so many years to get back on track, and it hadn't worked out.” She had experienced a few minor highlights, such as the final of the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses, the final of the Nuremberg Burg Cup, and the final of the Louisdor Prize, but... "I put so much energy into the horses, put in so much effort, but in comparison, I lacked the success that could have inspired me. I knew from before what it felt like to be at the top. And then I started to doubt myself, wondering if I just wasn't good enough. ”

In addition, Jessica was working two jobs during this time. She rode horses in the morning and from 2:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m. she worked as the manager of her family's fitness studio, while also training to become a nutrition coach.

“I really enjoyed working at the studio. I like being around people and I love sports. But I wanted to do both perfectly—horse riding and the studio. That didn't work out.. ”

At an event at the gym, she met cross-country skiers Evi Sachenbacher and Tobias Angerer. The two convinced Jessica and sent her to a mental coach: Holger Fischer.

“The two days with Holger Fischer were really 'awesome',” Jessica describes. “He simply asked exactly the right questions. After that I was absolutely sure of what I wanted: horseback riding! Since then, I've been working with horses even more intensively, even more passionately. ”

Since the end of 2011, together with her brother Benjamin, she has taken over the management of the family-owned dressage stable in Aubenhausen, rides six to seven horses a day and trains her team of trainers in the afternoon. There are a total of around 40 horses in Aubenhausen — a good half are our own, then a few customer horses are there for training and a few oldies also romp around on the Aubenhausen pastures, such as Duchess. “We want to buy and train young horses.” By 'we', we mean Jessica and her brother Benjamin. 'Benni” was also very successful as a Young Rider and was part of the German gold team at European Championships three times.

“We may be very different 'riding types, '” says Jessica, “but when it comes to choosing and training horses, we are in total agreement. ”

Since 2011, Jessica has also been trained by Jonny Hilberath. In contrast to Isabell Werth, the national coach also has the opportunity to accompany her to tournaments, as he no longer actively competes in the saddle himself.

The Gribaldi son Unée arrived at the beginning of 2012 to her in the stable.

“I had already decided on equestrianism before Unée, but he opened many doors for me." And slowly, the Werndl siblings are beginning to reap the rewards of their years of training.“Now we know that we have 'invested' well, but we don't know that for years. You hope and hope, but you also shouldn't project too much into a horse. I had to learn that first. ”

In 2015, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl achieved another big goal: She was part of the German team at the European Championships in Aachen! She had worked on this for a long time. Unfortunately, it was only bronze in the end with the team, but Bredow-Werndl and Unée had delivered a clear calling card for elegant and harmonious riding!

In 2018, the star went 'Dalera' rose:

Jessica and Dalera flew to Tryon for the World Equestrian Games with the German team and won team gold, followed by the next highlight one year later. The pair were not only part of the German team again, this time at the European Championships in Rotterdam, they not only won team gold again, they also won the bronze medal in the freestyle. The first individual medal for Jessica von Bredow-Werndl in the senior camp. And after the pandemic break in 2020, the 'fairy tale year' 2021 was on the agenda for the couple. “It feels like a fairy tale, simply amazing! “And she herself was the fairy tale: in radiant harmony with her mare Dalera, she conjured moments of perfect lightness and perfection into the square and enchanted the audience.

2022 - World Cup victory in Leipzig

In 2022, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won the FEI World Cup™ final of the 2021-2022 season with Dalera BB. With ease, the couple danced through the square in Leipzig and won not only the title but also the hearts of the spectators. In summer, von Bredow-Werndl then went on maternity break.

2023- On course for gold

Jessica successfully defended her World Cup final title in Omaha in April 2023, but that was only when the winning streak for 2023 began. At the German Championships in Balve at Wocklum Castle, also known as Balve Optimum, Jessica placed in the lead with TSF Dalera BB and was able to secure her title as German Dressage Champion again in 2021. Jessica and Dalera's next stop was CHIO Aachen, here the two danced through square once again and were able to record four victories for themselves. The couple won the Grand Prix, the Nations Cup, the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle. A weekend where you won't soon forget. Since Aachen is also often an important stop with regard to the European Championships, it was hardly surprising that the dream team is also competing for Germany at the European Championships in Riesenbeck. There was double gold for Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the vice title with the team. But she was not only successful with Dalera in 2023, she also won a variety of tournaments this year with her other horses. For example with Got it BB and Forsazza de Malleret.

The Olympic Games in Paris:

After holding the team gold medal in her hands the day before, Jessica was back on the podium on Sunday, August 4, 2024. With 90.093%, she successfully defended her Olympic gold medal.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl's victory at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 was an emotional highlight that touched the hearts of many. With her freestyle for “Non, je ne regrette rien” by Edith Piaf, she not only showed a brilliant technical performance, but also established a deep connection to the host city Paris. This musical tribute to the French icon Piaf gave her performance additional emotional depth and special meaning.

The harmony and trust between Jessica and her horse TSF Dalera BB was clearly felt during their freestyle. Each movement was perfectly coordinated, and it was obvious that years of intensive preparation and hard work culminated in that moment. Her face was beaming with joy and pride as she completed the final pirouette and the crowd burst into enthusiastic applause.

This victory is not only a testament to Jessica's exceptional talent and tireless dedication to dressage, but also a symbol of her passion and stamina. The choice of Piaf's song lyrics, which translates as “No, I regret nothing,” may also reflect Jessica's personal journey — a journey full of challenges, dedication and ultimately triumphant fulfillment.

The gold medal in Paris is the highlight of her career so far and will undoubtedly be anchored as a brilliant chapter in the history of dressage. Jessica's performance has not only set sporting standards, but has also inspired and touched audiences worldwide. Your victory in Paris is an unforgettable moment that will last a long time — a moment that shows how much passion and love for sport makes for true greatness.

The Tokyo Olympics:

91.732 percentage points in the freestyle — an Olympic symbol. It was the new best result for Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera. The couple had never cracked 90 percent internationally. The Olympics were the right moment. For the music and its interpretation, there were seven times the 10 of the seven judges — more is not possible! Five times the 10 for harmony, four times the 10 for the choreography and once the 10 and five times the 9.9 for the level of difficulty. This freestyle was wonderful, faultless, with absolute highlights in the piaffes, passages and transitions, but also in absolute harmony and the almost invisible help, the 'blind' understanding between rider and horse. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl's first words after her Olympic freestyle just came out of her: “It was my goal to break the 90 percent. I tackled a bit at the beginning, but in the end I took more and more risks. Sometimes I had the feeling that I was riding something on fire, on the edge of a knife: How far can I go, how much risk can I take? It all worked out, there were no major blunders in it, but lots of highlights, I felt that. ”

Jessica's Olympic quote box

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl — her feelings after winning the gold medal in Tokyo, the magical words of son Moritz and sticking point Rotterdam...

• After it was clear that she had won gold:

“I don't like to call it pressure, but as I cried here, I realized that I wanted it so much. When everything falls off and such a stark relief is suddenly there, it's only when you realize how much you want it all. I actually didn't feel that much pressure yesterday because I didn't have to do much to win gold in the team. And the day before yesterday, it wasn't really about anything. By noon today, I realized that every seat now makes a huge difference.”

• With the gold medal in his hands:

“Pure joy, relief and insane gratitude. Thankfulness that I can experience this, that I'm standing here with the second gold medal around my neck, that I have such a wonderful horse and such an incredible team that stands behind me - and my family, of course. I've just had a time-lapse of my 20 years of riding life — no, it's already been more, it's been 30 years already (laughs). I think I could write a book about that day.”

• Magic words from son Moritz before the Olympic freestyle:

“It meant so much to me that he said he loved me. He always says that now when we talk. And that he is happy to see me again tomorrow or the day after tomorrow at the latest. That “I love you so, mom” was so comforting because no matter how it would have ended today, he would love me just as much if I came home without a medal. It doesn't matter to him whether I bring home a medal or not. That is what is so important in life and gives me so much support.”

• About the Olympic Games:

“I am grateful that they took place at all. Postponing the Olympic Games this year due to the pandemic has probably helped me personally. We are more experienced, we are more mature and stronger. Everything just got easier. I'm just incredibly grateful and I think it was sensationally well organized here. I will return home with a full heart full of joy and gratitude and will fondly remember Tokyo.”

Parallel to the excitement in Tokyo, the Olympic atmosphere was bubbling in small, tranquil Aubenhausen. At home with Jessica in Aubenhausen, the fan club had set up and kept their fingers crossed — above all the family with brother Benjamin, maker Raphael Netz and sisters Flora Keller and Beatrice Bürchler. The two are horse ladies through and through, both support dressage and both are convinced of the 'Team Aubi' around the Werndl siblings. Flora Keller owns several horses that 'Benni' Werndl trains and rides, and the 'BB' comes from Beatrice Bürchler-Keller, which complements the names of Unée, Dalera and Ferdinand, for example. The former international dressage judge has worked with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl since 2009. Jessica has celebrated her biggest successes to date on horses owned by 'BB. ' “What began in 2009 as a result of sporting and promising considerations has developed into a deep friendship and an intimate relationship of trust,” says the Swiss woman.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, the double Olympic champion and three-time European champion from 2021. A few weeks after their total Olympic success, 'Jessi and Dalera” also impressively proved their class at the European Championships in Hagen: gold with the team, in the individual classification and in the freestyle. Five gold medals within seven weeks — there has never been this before and it couldn't: The Olympic Games and European Championships had never been held within a year before. And Jessica von Bredow-Werndl had never won individual gold at a championship before — in the summer of 2021, three team gold was on top of that. Jessica reached Olympus at the age of 35.

She is still working at an 'other construction site': “I don't allow myself enough time off. I can't just lie on the couch and do nothing. I can't switch off.” Someone has been helping her with this since summer 2013: Her husband Max von Bredow, himself active in eventing sports. On New Year's Eve 2012, he proposed to Jessica on the beach in Kenya, and six months later the two got married in Italy. Why Italy “I wanted it that way,” Jessica smiles. “Otherwise I would probably have been riding the horse on my wedding day.” Jessica and Max not only share a passion for horses, they both also love sport. “We often inspire each other and go running together. In general, we enjoy doing sports together and learning new sports.” On their honeymoon, for example, they signed up for kite surfing together.

Personal development — that is Jessica von Bredow-Werndl's hobby horse. She has been working intensively on this for years, from a human as well as from an equestrian perspective. There was a trigger for this early in her equestrian career: In 2001, she was allowed to take part in a sighting for the European Championships for the first time. Back then, Jessica was a junior and had surprisingly attracted attention to Nokturn with a second place in the Best Prize. “I was so nervous at the European championship sighting that I missed it twice. I would love to have sunk into the ground.” This experience shaped her, but she used it for herself, later wrote her thesis on the subject of 'mental training and learned a lot. “Looking back, it was very healthy that it didn't work out the first time,” she is convinced. In 2010, Jessica had another experience that confirmed that she was spending a lot of time on her personal development. “On 10.10.2010 we were in Sardinia and I was pulled out by the current while swimming. I really didn't make it back alone. My former boyfriend, now my husband, Max brought me ashore with the last of his strength. That was really close. Since then, a lot of my personality has changed, many things have been put into perspective.” And even though the horses and the cavalry are a passion for Jessica... “They are not the center of my life. I wouldn't go that far. ”

Since August 2017, the exceptional sportswoman has focused on someone completely different: son Moritz. The birth of their first child was, of course, a drastic experience for Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her husband Max. “With a child, priorities change,” the new mother quickly put it in a nutshell.

During her pregnancy, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was still riding eagerly: “I always felt a bit nauseous in the first three months, but never while riding,” she says. She took part in tournaments until the fifth month, from the sixth month it was drawn from time to time and step and gallop were her favorite gaits during this time. “From the seventh month on, sitting out while trotting became more and more unpleasant. But I really stopped riding four weeks before giving birth — I only took a few steps in the terrain.” When Moritz was four, Tokyo arrived. Mother Jessica was never separated from her firstborn for as long as at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, to which the family had not traveled with her due to the pandemic. “Two weeks are very long,” Jessica had emphasized at the time. “Fortunately, there is Facetime.” Since August 2022, Moritz has been sharing his midpoint existence with his sister. While Benjamin Werndl contested his first championship at the World Championships in Herning, his sister Jessica was lying in the delivery room watching the World Cup freestyle at ClipMyHorse. Little Ella Marie waited Benjamin's World Cup ride and Famoso Still off, but then she was in a pretty hurry, says the mother of two. By the way, Benni rode a 'hammer round' in Denmark and Ella was the absolute miracle.

Two children and top-class sport — how do you balance that? The power woman's answer is as simple as it is obvious: “I have a brilliant environment! “This primarily includes her parents Micaela and Klaus Werndl, who travel frequently to the tournaments and are then fully in their element as baby and child sitting. But 'Uncle Benni” is also happy to help when he is at the start of the same tournament. “It's a challenge too,” Jessica admits and laughs.

Thoroughbred athlete, mother of two and her own training stable — you would actually think that a single person is already working to full capacity, but the energy of the world ranking leaders (as of December 2022) seems inexhaustible. Practically 'on the side, 'she launched her first book on the market in October 2020. The title: “Happiness on Earth — What I can learn from my wonderful horses every day.” In this book, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl takes her readers on her 'journey' with horses. She gives a glimpse of her philosophy in dealing with and training horses, explains how horses shaped her and how she developed through working with horses. But she also writes openly about low points in which she doubted and would almost be desperate in some cases.

With the Aubenhausen Academy, the Werndl siblings have also discovered another opportunity to share their experiences and ideas when training with horses. With very specific tips, close proximity to the horses and sketches, graphics, exercise sheets and self-reflection sheets, the siblings have developed various modules on various lessons and topics. In their DressurFit program, they also offer functional training for riders. A twelve-week program specially developed for equestrian fitness. People almost waited for it: After her second pregnancy, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has also put together a special rehabilitation program for female riders, DressurFit Mommy, in collaboration with pelvic floor expert Luisa Kienle and sports scientist Marcel Andrä, with whom the siblings have worked together for many years. 'Jessi and Benni also regularly invite you directly to their “Home of Dressage Horses” in Aubenhausen. At the Aubenhausen live events, visitors get the chance to watch the siblings on site, look at their 'home' and follow them at work. And of course Jessica and her brother are also available to answer lots of questions. Don't forget the Aubenhausen Club Shop. The range of shops is constantly expanding: from knitted hats, which are presented on the website by Jessi herself with her famous bright smile on her face, to gift items, riding clothes, bridles and insect protection. The shop program also includes the first young adult book that the multi-talented artist wrote in collaboration with Antje Szillat: “Gut Aubenhausen — Emilia und das Glück der Pferde”, instructive horse stories for young horse lovers aged ten and over.

And because Jessica's days seem to last 36 hours instead of 24 hours, she also keeps her fans up to date and professionally informed on all social media channels about everything that's happening in Aubenhausen and in her life.

Describe Jessica von Bredow-Werndl in one sentence? Impossible! There are very few people who go through life so energetic, full of ideas, determined and yet always grounded.

Jessica's championship successes:

• 2024: Team gold at the Olympic Games in Paris with TSF Dalera BB
• 2023 World Cup final victory - TSF Dalera BB, German Champion - TSF Dalera, European Champion - TSF Dalera BB & Vice Team European Champion
• 2022 World Cup final victory — TSF Dalera BB
• 2021 Triple European Champion and Double Olympic Champion, German Champion Grand Prix Special and Freestyle — TSF Dalera BB
• 2020 German Champion Grand Prix Special — TSF Dalera BB
• 2019 European team champion and European championship bronze in freestyle, DM bronze in Grand Prix Special — TSF Dalera BB
• 2018 World Team Champion — TSF Dalera BB, bronze at the World Cup final — Unee BB
• 2016 bronze at the World Cup final — Unee BB
• 2015 Team bronze at the European Championships, bronze at the World Cup final — Unee BB
• 2002-2005 six gold medals at European Championships, three gold medals at the German Junior and Young Rider Championships — Bonito and Duchess

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl's current tournament horses

• TSF Dalera BB (Trakehner, mare, born 2007), from Easy Game x Handryk owned by Beatrice Bürchler-Keller; breeder: Silke Druckenmüller
• Ferdinand BB (Hanoverian, Wallach, born 2009), by Florencio I x Lanciano owned by Beatrice Bürchler-Keller; breeder: Bernhard Sieverding
• Got It BB (Danish warmblood, stallion, born 2015), from Grand Galaxy Win x Don Schufro owned by Beatrice Bürchler-Keller; breeder: Dressage Arué v/Morten Thomsen
• Forsazza de Malleret (Oldenburger, mare, born 2013), by For Romance x Sarkozy owned by Aubenhausen GbR; breeder: Gestüt Lewitz
• Great Gatsby PS (Oldenburger, stallion, born 2014), by Grey Flanell x Sir Donnerhall I owned by Aubenhausen GbR; breeder: Gestüt Lewitz
• Tamino (Oldenburger, Wallach, born 2014), owned by Tomahawk x Florencio I by Helmut Osterkamp
• Fosbury OLD (Oldenburger, Wallach, born 2017), by For Romance I x Depardieu owned by Aubenhausen GbR; breeder: Werner Meyer
• Simba 217 (Hanoverian, stallion, born 2016), by Blue Hors St. Schufro x Councilor owned by Flora Keller; breeder: Friederike Peters