One Big Thing: 2026 Aachen Preview Podcasts
Eventing Nation: Go Eventing at Aachen with Tilly Berendt
The 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships are here, and there may be no venue in the sport that carries more weight, more history, or more atmosphere than Aachen.
Whether you’re watching from the stands, following along from home, or just trying to understand why everyone in the eventing world gets a little misty-eyed when this city comes up in conversation, this episode is your complete guide to what’s at stake, what’s come before, and what to watch for this weekend.
Managing Editor Sally Spickard is joined by EN’s European correspondent, journalist, photographer, and amateur eventing encyclopedia Tilly Berendt for a deep dive into the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships at Aachen.
The first half of this discussion unpacks the history and legacy of this iconic venue, with Tilly unearthing many lesser-known storylines, details, and defining moments from the last time the world descended on Aachen: the 2006 World Equestrian Games. After dipping into the past, Sally and Tilly look to the near future of this weekend: the entries to watch, the course design philosophy shaping this year’s competition, and the broader movements — in media, horse welfare, and social license — that are redefining what a World Championship means for the sport in 2026.
[Click here to listen in] or find the Go Eventing Podcast on your favorite podcast player.
_______________________________
EquiRatings: 2026 Aachen Preview Show
In the 2026 Aachen Preview Show, Nicole Brown, Sam Watson, Diarm Byrne, Annie Bishop, and Spike Milligan take a proper look at the field and try to work out just how this championship might unfold.
Can Laura Collett and London 52 add a World title to their European crown? Is this the final head-to-head between two championship greats in London 52 and fischerChipmunk? And with Lordships Graffalo, JL Dublin, Diabolo, Falco and plenty more waiting in the wings, who actually comes out on top?
The team also looks at the nations fighting for the medals, what we can expect from Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s cross country track and, of course, puts their reputations on the line with their team and individual podium predictions.
[Click here to listen in] or find EquiRatings’ The Eventing Podcast on your favorite podcast player.
Check out EquiRatings’ further dive into the World Championships numbers here, and don’t forget to join Eventing Nation’s Eventing Manager Team with code PCTD!
US Events Opening Entries Today
USEA AEC, $60,000 Adequan Advanced Final & ATC Finals (KY) — Enter Today!
Equestrians’ Institute HT & Area VII Championships (WA); Seneca Valley PC HT (MD); Bucks County Horse Park HT & YEH Qualifier (PA)
US Events Closing Entries Today
Spokane Sport Horse 12th Annual Fall HT (WA); Honey Run HT (MI); Stable View $60,000 Oktoberfest (SC); Sundance Farm HT (WI); Jump Start HT & Area VIII Championships (KY); Tomora HT (CO); Old Tavern HT (VA); ESDCTA New Jersey HT (NJ); Course Brook Farm Fall HT (MA)
Other Links and Reading
Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products
It’s the biggest conversation topic right now across the world: it’s damn hot outside.
When is it too hot to ride your horse?
Temperature alone is not a good guide when it comes to deciding if you should ride on a hot summer day — it’s the combination of heat and humidity that should be your major concern.
- When the relative humidity (a measurement of moisture in the air) is over 75%, the ability of your horse to cool himself by sweating is greatly diminished.
- While high heat (85°F or higher) or high humidity (above 80%) alone is not a problem, the combination of high heat and high humidity should raise red flags.
Add up the temperature in Fahrenheit and the humidity percentage — if the number is over 180, it’s time to skip riding for the day and give your horse a cool bath instead.
What if it’s not in the danger zone, but it still just feels hot?
There are choices you can make that will keep both you and your horse more comfortable during your ride.
- Feed your horse an electrolyte daily during hot weather to stimulate drinking and help keep them hydrated. Supplemental electrolytes like Summer Games Electrolyte replace the critical minerals lost in sweat and maintains proper hydration to promote faster recovery.
- Ride in the early morning or in the evening when the sun is not at its hottest.
- Ride in the shade, either in the woods or in an indoor arena, with good air circulation.
- Be aware of your horse’s fitness level — unfit horses are less able to deal with the stress of exercising in hot temperatures.
- Cool your horse down properly after your ride — be sure an abundant supply of cool, fresh water is always available.
Training Tip of the Day
Discover why horses behave the way they do, how they learn, and what they’re really trying to tell us with Dr. Gemma Pearson:
Go Eventing
Team USA has hooves on the ground at Aachen!
