Jump straight to the latest news about Isabell Werth
Isabell Werth is the most decorated dressage rider in history, with an Olympic medal record unmatched in equestrian sport: eight golds and six silvers across seven Olympic Games, winning at least one gold at every Games she has contested. She has also earned nine World Championship medals, 21 European Championship golds, and five World Cup titles, solidifying her place as a legend of the sport.
Born on 21 July 1969 in Sevelen, Germany, Isabell began riding under the guidance of Dr Uwe Schulten-Baumer at age 17. Their partnership led to her breakthrough with Gigolo, who carried her to four Olympic gold medals between 1992 and 2000, as well as multiple world and European titles. Gigolo remained her primary partner throughout the 1990s, with the exception of the 1999 European Championships, where she rode Anthony FRH.
After Gigolo’s retirement, Isabell’s winning streak continued with a series of top horses. She won the 2007 World Cup Final on Warum Nicht FRH. She also partnered Satchmo 78 to double World Championship gold, individual European gold, and team Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, before his retirement in 2011.
Her next major star was Weihegold OLD, who helped Germany secure team gold and individual silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and delivered three consecutive World Cup titles. She also formed a hugely successful partnership with her “dream horse” Bella Rose 2, earning individual silver at the Tokyo Olympics and dominating European competition.
In July 2024, Isabell was selected for her seventh Olympic Games, partnering Wendy to another team gold and extending an extraordinary Olympic record spanning over 30 years.
Beyond competition, Isabell Werth is an influential voice in the sport, elected president of the International Dressage Riders’ Club in 2020. She continues to compete at the highest level while also shaping the future of dressage through her leadership and experience.
The Olympic dressage rider has been banned from competing nationally and internationally after her horse tested positive for a medication that is prohibited in competitions in her home country
The German Olympic dressage rider debuted her new gold helmet at CDI Frankfurt
Isabell Werth officially retired her 2008 Olympic mount Satchmo in a special ceremony at the 2011 CDI Stuttgart on Saturday evening (19 November)
Isabell Werth has won the opening leg of the 2010/11 World Cup dressage series at Odense, Denmark, while British rider Anna Ross Davies took 12th place with Pegasus MK
Isabell is preparing to decide whether to take Satchmo or Hannes to the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky
Isabell Werth is back in the saddle following the birth of her son and heads the German squad for the World Equestrian Games
Isabell explains who she thinks are her biggest individual rivals at WEG and shares her thoughts on whether Germany can beat the Netherlands in Kentucky
Follow her progress as she prepares for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The chestnut mare won the 1992 World Cup Final in Gothenburg with the German dressage rider
Olympic dressage rider Isabell Werth has been suspended from competition for six months, after her horse Whisper tested positive for a banned drug in May.
The IDRC has refused to accept the resignation of international rider Isabell Werth following her suspension for a positive dope test
German dressage rider Isabell Werth has been suspended after her horse Whisper tested positive for banned substance Fluphenazine
The 2008/2009 World Cup dressage series kicked off in Denmark at the weekend with a win for Isabell Werth, ahead of Anky van Grusven
The queen of the kur has made Olympic history by winning three consecutive individual Olympic gold medals
An expensive error in the grand prix special for Satchmo has allowed Anky van Grusven to reduce the gap on current leader Isabell Werth
Britain finishes in sixth place after disappointment for Laura Bechtolsheimer as Germany retains its dominance of the team competition
Germany’s Isabell Werth goes into Saturday’s FEI World Cup final in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Holland, with the winning edge, having taken a narrow lead from old rival Anky van Grunsven
The current dressage World Cup champion picked up her third win of the series in Neumünster with Warum Nicht FRH setting the scene for a tantalising final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch
