Golden October brings another equestrian feast to the Bird’s Nest. The 13th Longines Beijing Masters is set to kick off in grand style. German star Daniel Deusser will return to the National Stadium (Bird's Nest). Building on his victory in the Longines Grand Prix at the Bird’s Nest in 2025, he claimed individual silver at the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final in 2026, before helping Team Germany secure team gold at the FEI Show Jumping World Championships.

Returning to Beijing with an ever‑expanding world‑class resume, Daniel remains a formidable contender in the battle for titles this time around.

Daniel Deusser

Daniel Deusser | World‑Ranked Contender With an Ever‑Growing Championship Record 

For Daniel Deusser, competing at the highest level has long been routine in his career. The 45‑year‑old German rider stood at No. 8 in the Longines FEI World Rankings as of 7 September 2026. Back in 2021, he occupied the world No. 1 spot for five consecutive months. He claimed victory at the FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final in 2014 and earned show‑jumping team bronze with Team Germany at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In 2026, he secured individual runner‑up at the World Cup Final and team gold at the FEI Show Jumping World Championships, finishing sixth individually in the world championship. Consistent results across years and competition formats underpin his long‑standing status among the world’s elite riders.

Daniel was born into an equestrian family; his father, grandfather and uncle all had ties to horses. He first came into contact with horses at age two and contested his first competition at nine. He turned professional as a rider at nineteen. In 2012, he became one of the leading riders at Belgium’s Stephex Stables, entering a packed calendar of top international events. Throughout his career, he has consistently emphasised the importance of horse‑rider bonds and daily training. Rather than ramping up training intensity right before competitions, he prioritises keeping his horses engaged, motivated and mentally fresh, adjusting their condition through varied work such as grass riding and gymnastic exercises.

Photo source: Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters Official

World Championship Gold | A Critical Clear Round Secures Team Gold for Germany 
In August 2026, the FEI Show Jumping World Championships took place in Aachen, Germany. Daniel rode Otterello de Guldenboom for Team Germany. In the team final, as the third German rider to enter the arena, he delivered a vital clear round. Before the final team member competed, Germany had already clinched the team gold medal. This marked Germany’s first team world title in the discipline in 16 years, since 2010, and their first time claiming this gold on home soil.

Photo source: FEI Official Weibo

After the team competition, Daniel and Otterello advanced to the individual final. Going into the individual decider, the pair shared the lead with Swiss rider Steve Guerdat on 0.86 penalties. They ultimately finished sixth in the individual standings of the World Championships. Within a single season, from individual runner-up at the World Cup Final to team gold at the World Championships, Otterello has steadily grown into one of Daniel’s most important partners for top-tier events.

Photo source: AACHEN 2026 OFFICIAL

Behind Consistency | Preparation Built Into Daily Work 
Beyond results, Daniel’s focus on horse fitness and competition details offers another key to his reliability. Stephex Stables founder Stéphane Conter describes Daniel as highly organised and self‑disciplined. His years of elite competition experience turn these qualities into composure and execution under high pressure. Ahead of the 2026 World Championships, he told Germany’s official equestrian platform that he does not overhaul his training routine ahead of major events. Instead, he maintains his horses’ focus and motivation through varied daily work. For him, consistency at big shows does not come from last‑minute intensified training; it is the continuation of long‑term preparation.

Reunion at the Bird’s Nest | Champion Memories, A New Chapter 

The Bird’s Nest also holds champion memories for Daniel. On 19 October 2025, he advanced to the jump‑off and claimed victory with a clear round in 46.39 seconds in the 150 cm Longines Grand Prix at the 12th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters. One year on, he returns to Beijing carrying new honours including individual runner‑up at the World Cup Final and team gold from the World Championships.

Across Daniel’s career, he has once held the world No.1 position and still remains inside the global top ten. From World Cups, Olympic Games and World Championships to the Grand Prix at the Bird’s Nest, his world‑class resume keeps adding new chapters. The 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters will be held at the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) from 15 to 18 October 2026. A familiar arena awaits new contests. We look forward to Daniel Deusser’s return to the Bird’s Nest, where he will take on new challenges with steady precision and a wealth of championship experience.

In this golden autumn month at the National Stadium Bird’s Nest, let us anticipate Daniel Deusser’s outstanding performance and witness another powerful jump from the champion rider on familiar ground!

The 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters
Dates: 15‑18 October 2026
Venue: National Stadium (Bird's Nest), Beijing
Meet the world’s top riders and join us for this equestrian gathering!