Equestrian: Werth and a newcomer named to Germany's World Championship dressage team

Germany's elite equestrian team for the World Championships in Aachen will feature a familiar face and a promising newcomer. Record-breaking dressage rider Isabell Werth has been selected with two horses, Wendy and Viva Gold, offering strategic options for the competition.

Werth's selection comes after she won the Grand Prix Special at a recent selection event in Hagen. She will be joined by established riders Katharina Hemmer with Denoix and Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth. The quartet is rounded out by Raphael Netz, a 27-year-old rider from Bavaria, who is set to make his World Championship debut.

Netz's inclusion marks a significant moment for the young rider, who has only recently competed for the national team. His recent victory at Hagen, riding Great Escape Camelot, secured his spot. This debut comes after a series of setbacks for other potential team members.

Several prominent riders were forced to withdraw from contention. Ingrid Klimke, a member of the European Championship gold-medal team last year, had to pull out because her horse Vayron is not fit. Charlott-Maria Schürmann also withdrew due to her horse, Dante's Pearl, being unwell. Four-time Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl voluntarily opted out of competing with her horse Kimet.