‘Every child begins the world again’: Olympic champion gives birth while watching her brother ride at Herning World Championships

Olympic and European dressage champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has given birth to her second baby, a daughter, with husband Max von Bredow.

The baby, named Ella Marie, was born on Thursday, 11 August, the morning after German rider Jessica had watched her brother Benjamin finish fourth in the grand prix freestyle at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships, from the delivery room at the hospital.

“Yes, she’s here,” said Jessica. “ I watched my brother’s phenomenal performance from the maternity room yesterday evening.”

“Every child begins the world again,” Jessica later posted on social media as she announced the birth, quoting philosopher and poet Henry David Thoreau.

She has already got home to her Aubenhausen base, and introduced Ella Marie to the horses, including her top mare, the Easy Game daughter TSF Dalera BB.

Jessica’s pregnancy prevented her from competing at the Dressage World Championships, and thus a crack at the “triple crown” – holding world, European and Olympic titles simultaneously. Her last major competition with was the World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany, in April, which she won.

But while Jessica had to follow the World Championships from home – and the hospital – her brother Benjamin was instrumental in helping Germany claim team bronze, on his championship debut with Famoso OLD. The pair also came fifth in the special and fourth in the freestyle, both with personal best scores.

“So damn proud of you and Famoso. Riding one personal best after the other at your first championship at seniors level is just crazy,” Jessica said in support of her brother after the grand prix special.

Following Benjamin’s brilliant freestyle performance for 85.89% she said: “There were so many wonderful goosebumps moments, every day you outdid yourselves again. And this is just the beginning.

“I am incredibly proud of my brother Benjamin, Famoso, his owner Flora Keller, Aniko Hornik – representing our whole team in Aubenhausen and all coaches (equestrian, fitness or mental), physiotherapists, vets, farriers… simply all who belong to it!”

You may also be interested in…

‘The fear of mistakes knocked on my door every day’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on the ‘mental toolbox’ that helped her win Olympic gold

‘She leaves her heart in there for us’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl claims World Cup title on last major outing before baby break

‘He doesn’t want to make any mistakes’: German debutants impress with second personal best of World Dressage Championships

A new Olympic champion is crowned – how Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won gold in Tokyo

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.</em

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now