Following last weekend’s CSIO5* Nations Cup in Falsterbo, Sweden, Germany's André Thieme has decided to withdraw from the German World Championship team, the German Equestrian Federation announced on Monday.

Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42 will now replace Thieme and DSP Chakaria, while Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 are the new reserve pair.

“I noticed in Falsterbo that Chakaria isn’t currently jumping the water jump with the confidence she usually displays,” Thieme explained in a press release from the German Equestrian Federation. “Therefore, in the interest of my horse and the team, I’ve decided to withdraw from the World Championships. We don’t want to take any risks and will now work calmly to regain her full confidence over the water. Of course, I would have loved to be part of this fantastic team in Aachen. However, for me, the trusting partnership with my horse comes first. That’s why it’s the right decision, even though it’s a difficult one. Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed from home and wish our team the best of luck.”

“Decisions like these are never easy in top-level sport, but unfortunately, they’re part of the game,” the German chef d’equipe Otto Becker commented in a press release from the German Equestrian Federation. “André Thieme assessed the situation with Chakaria very responsibly. I have the utmost respect for his decision. Marcus Ehning and Coolio, a pair with championship experience, will be stepping in.”

With this change, the German show jumping team for the World Championships in Aachen is now as follows: Daniel Deusser with Otello de Guldenboom, Marcus Ehning with Coolio 42, Sophie Hinners with Iron Dames Singclair, and Richard Vogel with United Touch S. Christian Kukuk and Checker will travel to Aachen as the reserve pair and will compete in the first warm-up competition.