FEI Dressage World Championships competition will start earlier; have midday break
It was 98 degrees F today in Aachen, Germany, and it’s forecast to hit 99 tomorrow, August 14—the day of the Grand Prix Special, the first individual dressage competition at the FEI Dressage World Championships Aachen 2026.
In a press release issued today, the Aachen 2026 organizers announced schedule changes to tomorrow’s GP Special for the purposes of mitigating heat stress to horses and riders. The first rider will go down center line at 8:30 a.m. local time instead of the originally scheduled 10:50 a.m. There will be a break from 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at which time competition will resume.
“The decision was taken based on veterinary and meteorological advice because of the expected heat conditions for Friday, 14 August,” the release stated. “In addition, enhanced heat-mitigation measures will be in place throughout the venue.”
According to photojournalist Diana De Rosa, who’s on site in Aachen covering the dressage competition for the USDF, measures are to include misting fans and crushed ice made available to assist in cooling horses, along with ample water.
The decision to alter the schedule was made by Ulrike Nivelle of Germany, president of the dressage ground jury; Enzo Truppa of Italy, the dressage technical delegate; and the president of the FEI Veterinary Commission, along with the Aachen 2026 organizing committee.
– Jennifer Bryant
