Jessica Von Bredow Werndl: Her four legged children and perfecting the Grand Prix

Horses have been part of Jessica’s life from the very beginning, riding in her first big championships, the Bundeschampionate at age 12. By 16 she rode in her first Europeans and has never looked back. Jessica’s won six gold at Junior and YR Europeans as well as been three times German Junior/YR Champion. As a senior, she’s been on the podium at the World Cup Finals, Aachen CHIO, the Europeans and World Equestrian Games both as a German team member and individually. Her most successful senior partners have been the stallion, Unee BB as well as the two mares, Zaire and Dalera BB. Having trained with Isabell Werth in the past, the German now works with her brother Benjamin, also a successful rider, as well as Jonny Hilberath, and Andreas Hausberger from The Spanish Riding School. I interviewed Jessica at the Europeans in Rotterdam where she had a rollercoaster of a show with Dalera. From an uncharacteristic miscommunication in the Grand Prix, which brought tears of shock to the rider, she stormed back for a glorious Special, and a Personal Best freestyle, which saw her with a team gold and individual bronze, beaten only by her team mates, also with PBs. She might be softly spoken, but Jessica has a real competitiveness and passion for bringing out the very best in her highly intelligent, if a bit crazy, four legged proteges. We talk about keeping it natural for the horses and learning to surrender as well as working with each unique personality. Training without force, giving horses a reason to work and the importance of routine. Jessica is really into rider fitness as well so we talk about what she does and her new “Dressurfit” course which she has developed with brother Benjamin…which is coming soon in English! So, yay! We then talk about the advantages and disadvantages of being on the German Team, relaxing at shows and we discuss her new goals.