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5 clusters · 12 sources · 28 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: SPORTS

German show jumping team after split ahead of Aachen Worlds

Entities: Otto Becker · Thomas Müller · Christian Kukuk

Overview

After Christian Kukuk was reinstated as a reserve following André Thieme’s withdrawal and posted a fault‑free round at the Global Champions Tour stop in Riesenbeck on 19 July, the German show‑jumping squad kept its core quartet—Marcus Ehning, Daniel Deußer, Sophie Hinners and Richard Vogel—unchanged for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Hinners and Vogel publicly confirmed the end of their personal relationship and their move out of a shared apartment. Both stressed that their professional partnership has actually strengthened: Hinners noted an “almost better” working dynamic, while Vogel said they now understand and respect each other “super well.” They continue to co‑own a sport‑and‑trade stable with David Will across three locations and will ride together for Germany at the championships.

Coach Otto Becker’s final squad omitted Olympic champion Christian Kukuk from the main team, leaving him as a reserve rider. Kukuk, who expressed shock and disappointment at the decision, will travel with his gold‑coloured stallion Checker thanks to a special agreement with the horse’s owners, footballer Thomas Müller and patron Madeleine Winter‑Schulze, allowing the mount to remain in the Global Champions Tour with the Beerbaum team. Kukuk hopes any further changes will bring him back onto the active line‑up.

The team’s objective remains unchanged: to secure a medal – ideally gold – on home soil, with the quartet and reserve pair ready to step up if needed.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    German Olympic rider Christian Kukuk omitted from Aachen World Championships team

    Olympic champion Christian Kukuk was not selected for Germany's Aachen World Championships team, remains a reserve, and will ride horse Checker under a deal with owners Thomas Müller and Madeleine Winter‑Schulz

  2. 11 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    German Equestrian Stars Sophie Hinners and Richard Vogel Split Yet Remain Teammates for Aachen World Championships

    Sophie Hinners and Richard Vogel have split personally but stay teammates, co‑own a stable and will compete together for Germany at the Aachen World Championships.

  3. 13 days ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    Christian Kukuk finishes third at Riesenbeck Global Champions Tour event

    Christian Kukuk, excluded from the German WM team, placed third on Checker at the Riesenbeck Global Champions Tour stop, remaining critical of coach Otto Becker.

  4. 19 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Christian Kukuk joins German show‑jumping team for Aachen World Championships

    Christian Kukuk is added as a reserve rider for Germany’s Aachen World Championships team after André Thieme withdraws; Marcus Ehning replaces him and the squad is led by Richard Vogel.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    German Olympic show-jumper Christian Kukuk omitted from Aachen World Championships team

    Olympic champion Christian Kukuk was surprised to be omitted from Germany's Aachen World Championships show‑jumping team, with coach Otto Becker offering no explanation.

Sources

allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · bunte.de · lse.fr · noelmrtn.fr · onetz.de · saarbruecker-zeitung.de · sportnews.bz · tz.de · volksfreund.de · www1.sportschau.de · wz.de · zorgwegwijzer.nl