Three Starts, Three Wins in the Prize in memory of Hans-Peter Simons for Alix von Borries

The finale of the Young Riders in the Prize in memory of Hans-Peter Simons could hardly have gone better: Alix von Borries from the Rhineland celebrated an impressive hat trick with her Hanoverian mare Feingefühl FRH, once again securing the coveted sash as the defending Young Rider Champion 2025 presented by UVEX.

To the music of James Blunt, the duo shone in the arena and were rewarded with a personal best of 77.108 percent. “It’s incredibly special to stand right at the top here. Just being able to compete in Aachen is already a dream – and then to pull off a hat trick like this is simply unbelievable,” beamed Alix von Borries, visibly moved after her success.

The podium remained international. Second place went to the Dutch rider Yasmin Westerink with Amphitryon OLD (74.992 percent), team silver medallist at this year’s European Championships in Kronberg and former participant in the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS Programme of Excellence. Third place was secured by her compatriot Morgan Walraven, who completed the strong Dutch result with Benecia and a personal best of 74.075 percent.

Triple Triumph: Eve Catherine Bartels and Villeneuve enthral in the WOTAX-Prize

With a captivating freestyle to music from the film “Spirit,” the harmonious duo of Eve Catherine Bartels and Villeneuve achieved a personal best of an impressive 77.442 percent. With three starts and three wins, the title of Junior Champion 2025 presented by UVEX, was firmly theirs.

After her triumph, the 16-year-old was overwhelmed: “It was incredible, and very, very unexpected. I came here just hoping to ride some nice rounds, get to know Villeneuve even better in the tests, and optimize the little things. But to win three times and also take the championship title is truly a very, very big achievement. It was so much fun to spend even more time with him. I really enjoyed it!”

Second place went to Danish rider Laura Qvist, who achieved a new personal best of 76.650 percent with her eight-year-old gelding Hafsjolds Ranger. Qvist, ninth at this year’s European Championships in Le Mans, France, and participant in the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS Programme of Excellence, impressively confirmed her international class. The podium was completed by triple European champion Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen with her eight-year-old Oldenburg mare First Date OLD, who was awarded 74.717 percent by the judges.

Belgian Elise van Os shines in the Prize of federal promotion of children dressage sports

As third in the current world rankings and with the team silver medal from this year’s European Championships in Le Mans, France, Belgian Elise van Os made the trip to Aachen. On Sunday, the 14-year-old reached top form with her successful eight-year-old horse Reliv van 'T Amaryllishof. “Today was my last test in this age group. I’m very happy that it went so well,” said Elise van Os after her harmonious and precise test, which was rewarded by the judges with an impressive 77.454 percent. The reigning Belgian champion set a benchmark in the Aachen sand that the following riders could not surpass.

When Lynn Sophie Soddemann entered the festively decorated Albert-Vahle-Arena as the final rider, there was a bit of pressure on the 13-year-old’s slender shoulders. After all, as the previous day’s winner, she had the best chance at the coveted sash of Children Champion 2025 presented by UVEX. But even as the supposed favourite, you have to deliver. And that’s exactly what the young talent did aboard her just six-year-old Westphalian mare Fürstin Schufro GV. “At just six years old, she was totally focused and right with me in this truly impressive setting,” said Lynn Sophie Soddemann. And even though her score of 76.931 percent was not quite enough to surpass Elise van Os’s outstanding performance, it was enough to slip between the Belgian and Paula Kempkens from Germany (73.588 percent) in the second round of the Children’s classification and to be crowned Children Champion 2025 presented by UVEX.

Double Reason to Celebrate for Laura Kohoutek

In the summer, Laura Kohoutek became double European champion in the Children’s category, and now the 14-year-old shone in the pony tour in the Albert-Vahle-Arena. After finishing third and second in the first two rounds, the young talent and her 15-year-old gelding Der kleine Sunnyboy WE had their big moment in the final freestyle, the Elektro Kraemer-Prize. After a freestyle filled with challenges, a new personal best of 77.225 percent appeared on the scoreboard. “My pony is a little rascal, but he always knows exactly when it counts. Then he gives everything,” said Laura Kohoutek after her successful freestyle.

With this great performance, Laura Kohoutek managed to surpass the previous best result of reigning team European champion Hannah Charlotte Isbruch, who had won the first two rounds. Riding her eight-year-old Diamond Touch NRW offspring DSP Der kleine Champion, the 16-year-old scored 75.892 percent, which was enough for second place today. Third went to Dutch rider Téo Rouyr, who achieved 72.742 percent with his ten-year-old gelding D’ Ultimo M.

The race for the coveted sash of Pony Champion 2025 presented by UVEX was a real photo finish this year. 222.362 to 222.133 percent was the final score in favour of today’s winner Laura Kohoutek. “I didn’t expect that at all in such a strong field,” beamed the 14-year-old after the festive prize-giving ceremony.

Photo: Jasmin Metzner