Considered one of the best Dressage athletes of her generation, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was the recipient of this year’s Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award, which was presented by Managing Director of Peden Bloodstock Martin Atock. Unable to attend the ceremony in person, Jessica accepted the honour via video.

“I feel very honoured to have won the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award,” Jessica said.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

“Dalera is probably the most intelligent horse I’ve ever worked with so far in my life! She is the cuddliest version when we are in the stable and walking together, and she is a rockstar when we enter the arena. Dalera and I have a very special relationship. We love each other and we love what we are doing together. And this is something I really have to think of as a rider – How can I make my horses love me? And how can I make my horses love what we are doing?

“I always say don’t train hard, but train smart. Sometimes I think: How is it possible to feel so much love for so many animals and people? But it’s exactly what makes riding horses so special.

“I’m so sorry I can’t be in Mexico tonight, but I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who voted for us. I always have to say ‘us’ because this is not only my success. It is Dalera’s and mine, and the success of my family and the whole team around us. And I want to thank all of them, and all of you, for making this happen!”

Jessica clinched her first international championship title at the FEI Dressage European Championship for Juniors in 2002, a feat she replicated in 2004. She has won the individual European Champion title an impressive six times and has taken the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final title for the past two years. With her exceptional mare TSF Dalera BB, Jessica remains an unstoppable force, dominating the FEI Dressage World Rankings, winning double gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and maintaining an unbroken streak of victories since then.