Overview
- Kukuk confirmed Wednesday that he asked the national federation to remove Checker from Germany’s Olympic squad at his own request.
- Because Checker was Kukuk’s only horse listed in the top squad, the rider is not currently part of the German top team.
- Kukuk says the decision was taken weeks before the Aachen World Championship to tailor competition plans to the 16‑year‑old horse’s welfare and longevity.
- Kukuk criticised the federation’s short public notice as unclear and published without coordination, while the federation said it only reported the two factual points and that riders can be re‑added to the squad based on later performance.
- Kukuk plans to develop younger horses for Los Angeles 2028, lists Akarad Tivoli, Carrera and Viki van Gogh as targets, and says Checker could return for 2028 if he remains fit after the coming seasons.