From World Champion to National Coach: Kai Vorberg and the Magic of Vaulting in Aachen
Vaulting – that is spectacular acrobatics on the back of a galloping horse, team spirit and pure goosebumps. This fascinating discipline will be in the spotlight again during the FEI World Championships 2026 in Aachen and will captivate thousands of spectators visiting the event live. The memories of the legendary 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games are still vivid – not least thanks to Kai Vorberg’s unforgettable Mozart freestyle routine, which wrote sporting history back then. 20 years later he is returning to the venue of his biggest triumph in the role as national coach. In an interview he spoke about the magic of Aachen, the importance of such a stage for vaulting and his hopes for the upcoming World Championships.
When you think back to 2006 today, what particularly springs to mind?
Kai Vorberg: “For me it was a fantastic time, which I have never forgotten right through to this very day. The Mozart freestyle became a common term at the time and made a lasting impression – on many fans, colleagues, but even on people, who didn’t actually have anything to do with the equestrian sport, who nevertheless experienced what happened. Looking back, I’m always aware how much this event and this freestyle routine moved people. I still have some small souvenirs in my office and when I walk past them I often pause and think about it all again. It wasn’t always easy to grasp back then, but in the meantime, I realise how significant it was for me and for the sport.”
What was the atmosphere like in the stadium back then and how did you experience it as an athlete?
Kai Vorberg: “The atmosphere in the stadium was overwhelming – you feel it as an athlete, even when you are in the competition tunnel. The energy of the crowd, their enthusiasm and their cheers carried me. After the victory I had to withdraw for a moment to take in what had just happened. The emotions took over me during the prize-giving ceremony and particularly when the national anthem was played – that really broke all the dams. It was an experience that has remained deeply etched in my memory and which I can share with my children today.”
Is it possible to prepare oneself for such an atmosphere?
Kai Vorberg: “You can focus on sport-related processes and the competition, but no one can really predict the social resonance and the boom that ensues. All of a sudden, I was famous everywhere as the “vaulting Mozart” and people even approached me on the street in my hometown Cologne. That was a totally new dimension of awareness that I had certainly not reckoned with. That public support and the enthusiasm were almost more impressive than the sporting success itself.”
Next year you are going to be in Aachen again, this time as the national coach. What are your aspirations for the 2026 World Championships?
Kai Vorberg: “Our great hope is to trigger off a further boom with the 2026 World Championships and inspire many children and youths to take up vaulting – just like back then. It is a huge opportunity to present vaulting to a broader public and we want to show how versatile and fascinating our sport is. We want to impress with a strong team and at the same time motivate young talent. It is not just about medals for us, but also about ensuring sustainable growth for the sport and setting new impulses.”
How important is the stage in Aachen for vaulting?
Kai Vorberg: “A big stage like Aachen, with thousands of spectators live on-site and a live broadcast is incredibly important for vaulting. Our sport can build a bridge between the equestrian sport scene and the public who love sports in general. The variety of our disciplines offers opportunities for both horses and people and we want to make use of this to further develop the sport. Especially in Germany it is important to demonstrate also the social significance of the equestrian sport – vaulting can play a central role here as a link and a source of inspiration.”
If you were allowed to express a final wish regarding the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026, what would it be?
Kai Vorberg: “Primarily, I wish us all good sport for the 2006 World Championships – that all athletes are able to put in their best performances and that the event is a unique occurrence for everyone. This event can leave a lasting mark on the souls of all vaulters. If we achieve that then I will be happy as the national coach. That is what sport is all about and what we will remember years later.”
Do you want to become part of this unique event too and experience the vaulting at the FEI World Championships 2026 live? Then, purchase your tickets from the online shop here, from the hotline on +49-241-9171111 or from the offices of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein.