You could hear a pin drop in the sold-out Main Stadium at the Soers. Tens of thousands of spectators watched, breathless, as a dark bay stallion flew across the course – clearing maximum-height obstacles with an ease that took one’s breath away. What is considered the gold standard internationally seemed almost effortless for the 12-year-old offspring of Tobago Z. Then, the final line: judged perfectly. A low murmur rippled through the grandstands as the stallion assessed the massive oxer. One more moment of tense anticipation – then he took off. Fractions of a second later, the stadium erupted in cheers. Otello de Guldenboom had carried his rider, Daniel Deußer, through the course without picking up a single fault to what the rider would later describe a “once-in-a-lifetime moment.” A standing ovation rewarded a performance that secured the World Championship title for the German team – long before the final rider, Richard Vogel, had even entered the Main Stadium.

And anyone, who thought the atmosphere had already reached its peak, had yet to witness the final ride by the crowd’s favourite. What followed was a round full of emotion and a demonstration of just how easy it can look to master a World Championship course. It made no difference that two time penalties ultimately appeared on the scoreboard. “I don’t think there has ever been a happier scratch score than mine today,” the 30-year-old beamed. He was even able to enjoy a personal victory lap around the Main Stadium with his superstar mount, United Touch S, in front of his home crowd and accompanied by his favourite song, “Die Sonne geht auf” (The sun rises) before the official Medal Ceremony. The evening was simply perfect: Not even the onset of rain was able to dampen the radiant atmosphere in the stadium.

But this special evening had plenty more emotions on offer. Sophie Hinners and her horse, Iron Dames Singclair, were also “carried through the course” by the home crowd. The rider experienced a round that felt “simply gigantic” to her.  And tears flowed long before it was certain that the German team would win Gold, namely, Nadia Ehning, who was sat in the stands surrounded by her children, was overcome by her emotions while her husband Marcus – the first to go for the German team with Coolio – once again delivered a brilliant performance, as on the previous days. Nadia Ehning probably understood better than anyone what this moment must have meant to her husband. Later, Ehning appeared more relaxed than he had in a long time. “I am simply fascinated by my horse,” said Marcus Ehning, admitting with a wink that he had been much more nervous at this same venue twenty years earlier. Back in 2006, he had been part of the German team that won Bronze in Aachen – the event which had also included that legendary, heart-stopping moment at the wall. But that incident is long since history. And for the 52-year-old, things came full circle again today: Also a member on the team that last won World Championship Gold for Germany in Kentucky, USA, in 2010, he was now standing on top of the podium once more – this time alongside a new generation.

“I am simply happy and incredibly proud of the whole squad,” the national coach, Otto Becker, commented. “What the four of them achieved here was a fantastic advertisement for our sport.” While the victorious team left the rest of the field trailing behind with a score of 4.48, the battle for the remaining medals was a nail-biting affair. The Belgian team (11.69) secured Silver after a spectacular comeback; the squad comprised Nicola Philippaerts with Katanga v/h Dingeshof, Pieter Devos with Casual DV Z, Thibeau Spits with Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z and Abdel Saïd with Qathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z. The bronze medal went to the Olympic Team Champions from Great Britain – Ben Maher with Point Break, Harry Charles with LT Holst Freda, Scott Brash with Hello Mango and Adrian Whiteway with Chacco Volo – the team finished on a final score of 12.98 penalties.

Tomorrow the order of the day is gathering strength for the grand finale in the individual classification on Sunday. If the national coach, Otto Becker, has his way, his riders will ideally secure one or two more individual medals in the LONGINES-Prize, which also marks the sporting conclusion of the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026. One thing is certain: With Daniel Deußer leading the field – currently tying with Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat on 0.86 penalties – followed by Britain’s Ben Maher in third place (1.01), Marcus Ehning ranking fourth (1.78), and Sophie Hinners fifth (1.84), Sunday afternoon promises excitement until the very last fence. The summer fairytale is back in Aachen – and the final golden chapter has yet to be written.