Paris 2024 Equestrian: Germany makes history with dressage team Grand Prix special gold

Team Germany won the equestrian dressage team Grand Prix special at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Saturday (3 August). They scored 235.790 points at Chateau de Versailles, while Denmark secured silver with 235.669 points and Great Britain took the bronze with 232.492 points.

This triumph marked Germany's third consecutive victory in this event and their eighth win out of the last nine Olympic Games, further solidifying their dominance in the discipline.

Central to this historic achievement was the queen of equestrian herself, Isabell Werth, who continues to redefine what is possible in the world of equestrian sports. Werth's performance in Paris secured her 13th Olympic medal, an unprecedented feat that also made her the first athlete to win a medal at seven different Olympic Games. She has also won gold at each Olympic Games she's participated in, from Barcelona 1992 to Paris 2024.

Riding alongside Werth were Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB and Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth OLD. Their combined scores culminated in a narrow victory over Denmark, with a final tally of 235.790 points to Denmark's 235.669.

The competition reached its climax with von Bredow-Werndl’s final ride, a performance that, despite some errors, managed to secure the gold for Germany by a razor-thin margin. Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Freestyle delivered the highest individual score of the day, a stunning 81.216%, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats and the competition fiercely close. Denmark's silver medal marks the nation's second in team dressage, following a bronze in Beijing 2008.

Olympic champion Werth said: "This was the closest finish ever I would say, and it was so exciting and we are really happy. Jessica brought it to the end for us."

Great Britain's bronze medal continues their streak of podium finishes in this event, which includes gold in London 2012, silver in Rio 2016 , and bronze in Tokyo 2020.

This victory not only added to Germany's illustrious record but also immortalised Isabell Werth's legacy as one of the greatest Olympians of all time, with the regal background providing the perfect backdrop.

“Never before has there been this beautiful (a) venue," Werth shared. "I have to say this view to the castle is just so incredible, and I’m very happy and enjoying these Olympics.”

Equestrian: Mixed team dressage grand prix podium

Gold: Germany

Silver: Denmark

Bronze: Great Britain