Saying Goodbye to Darling Dalera

We celebrate the Dressage icon and multiple champion...

Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB, the beloved equine partner of multiple Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany, has been officially retired from competition. The two have been competing together for eight remarkable years, and we want to mark the career of this Dressage icon!

The 17-year-old phenomenon, owned by Béatrice Bürchler-Keller and Micaela Werndl, Jessica’s mother, is the winner of four Olympic gold medals in Team and Individual competition. She was integral in helping Von Bredow-Werndl defend her Tokyo Olympic title this summer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (pictured below). Until August, the two spent several years in the No.1 spot in FEI Dressage rankings.

Dalera often had spectators on their feet with her elegant movement, spot-on musicality, and poise in the Dressage ring. The stunning dark bay daughter of Easy Game also won two FEI Dressage World Cup™ titles at Omaha and Leipzig, as well as a total of six Team and Individual medals at the FEI Dressage European Championship between 2019 and 2023, amongst many other prizes.

While they seem to have been at the top forever, it was perhaps 2020 when it became clear that Dalera and Jessica would be the world's No.1 Dressage combination. It is apt that Dalera was FEI.org's first Horse of the Month of the 2020s in January 2020! We also looked closely at Dalera soon after the pair became German champions for the first time that September.

Here they are taking gold with a record score at last year’s FEI European Championship…

Going out on a high

It was a difficult decision for Von Bredow-Werndl, her family, their trainers, and Bürchler-Keller to say goodbye to competition with Dalera. But they knew the time was approaching and wanted her to go out on a high note when they felt the moment was just right. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games gave them that perfect opportunity.

One reason the human and equine Olympic champions reached such an incredible level of achievement is their unique relationship with each other. The two frequently gave the impression of moving as one through their Dressage tests, which is the ultimate goal in the sport.

The German athlete has always been quick to credit Dalera with her success in the ring, noting that she never gave less than 100% in any event. She would often tear up when describing the bond they have with each other and how lucky she has been to have been paired with such a “rock star” for so much of her career.

She loves spending time with Dalera outside of training and competition too. This includes walks and relaxed hacks around Von Bredow-Werndl’s Aubenhausen equestrian facility in Bavaria.

Jessica told FEI.org: “Dalera embodies so much for me. She’s so intelligent, sweet, funny,… someone you love to spend time with.”

Here’s Jessica and Dalera taking gold at the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Omaha…

A unique connection

In an emotional social media announcement of Dalera’s retirement, Von Bredow-Werndl said she was still coming to terms with their success: “I’m only just beginning to realise what has happened over the last few years.”

“It has been an incredibly beautiful journey with her,” she added. “Dalera has been so much more than just my sport partner over the last few years. I’ve never experienced anything before like connecting with a horse on such a soul level that we didn’t need words, which don’t even exist…”

In her video, Von Bredow-Werndl thanked everyone who accompanied her and Dalera on their path together.

She added: “The journey has been so special for me and fortunately it is not over yet. We can keep Dalera here in Aubenhausen until her last breath, and I am already looking forward to many more wonderful years with her.”

To help ease Dalera into retirement, Von Bredow-Werndl will be bringing her to a couple of final non-competition appearances.

They’ll head to the Trakehner Verband’s annual Hengstmarkt to celebrate with others of Dalera’s breed at Neumünster. Then, they’ll be at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ event at Basel, Switzerland before heading back to Tuntenhausen for easy fun and games at the stables and leisurely grazing on the lush pastures there.

“She deserves only one thing, and that is the very best,” said Von Bredow-Werndl, her hand over her heart.

Words by Patricia Salem