One highlight followed the next on the final day of the Aachen Jumping Youngstars. The winners of the final competitions were just as jubilant as the four newly crowned Indoor Champions 2024, who were allowed to do their rounds of honor in the festively decorated and fully occupied Albert-Vahle-Arena.

Two special farewells from the young riders at the Grand Prix of the Aachener Bank eG

A kiss on the neck of his stallion Can Tici was Sören Suppert's reward for the special performance in the jump-off in the Grand Prix of the Aachener Bank eG. None of the other five pairs were able to beat the time of 38.43 seconds - at least not without a fault. “This is indescribable. I've had him for two and a half years now and it wasn't always easy, but to win now in my last year with the Young Riders here in Aachen is incredible,” said the Westphalian at the end of a successful final day for him at the Aachen Jumping Youngstars.

For Liam Broich and Cadou, not only was the last day successful, he was also crowned Indoor Champion of the Young Riders presented by UVEX with the most consistent performance during the entire show - also in his last outing before moving on to the senior camp. “The fact that I was able to do this precisely this year was of course a fantastic experience,” said the delighted rider from the Rhineland association. And he admitted: “When it was repeated over the speakers just now, I started to feel sad that it's over. Every year it was a highlight to be able to ride in Aachen, in top conditions, with a top audience. This was the perfect ending.”

Perfect jumping leads to victory in the STAWAG-Prize

Leo Renner galloped through the Albert-Vahle-Arena with his fist raised high after he and his gelding Ludwig were the first pair to clear the course in the STAWAG-Prize jump-off in exactly 39.00 seconds. The joy was to last, as the second clear round by Luise Konle and Dressed For Success was significantly slower at 47.36 seconds. “I'm super happy, my horse jumped perfectly,” beamed the winner from Bavaria after his triumph. The long journey was definitely worth it for him. “Being able to ride in Aachen alone is very nice. Lots of spectators, the course was perfect, the conditions top and the atmosphere gigantic,” praised Leo Renner. Everything just came together on this day, he said, including a bit of luck with his fast round in the jump-off. “It was simply a good mix,” was his conclusion.

Luise Konle and Dressed For Success had obviously also found the right mix over the four days of the Aachen Jumping Youngstars, as she was crowned Junior Indoor Champion 2024 presented by UVEX with a second place in the STAWAG-Prize. “It's unbelievable, I didn't expect it at all,” she said in disbelief after the lap of honor with the coveted sash. “My horse gave everything for me and I'm super happy. You can always rely on him, he's my best friend,” she found touching words for her sport partner, with whom she has been so successful in Aachen over the past few days.

Prize of Kelleter – Ihr Generalunternehmer für den Innenausbau

In the Prize of Kelleter – Ihr Generalunternehmer für den Innenausbau, it was the blink of an eye that decided the outcome. Anna-Sophie Hauter from Rhineland-Palatinate and her 14-year-old mare Cuderia produced a clean and, above all, lightning-fast round in 38.68 seconds in the jump-off. When Emma Hertz-Eichenrode and her Vienna entered the Albert-Vahle-Arena early on Sunday morning, there was tension in the air. After all, it wasn't just about winning the 3rd Children's rating, but also the title of Indoor Champion presented by UVEX. And the 14-year-old had desperately wished for the coveted sash at her last start in the children's camp.

“It was always my dream to win here in Aachen one day.” And the young talent from Hanover put everything on one card for this dream. “I'm so proud of my horse,” beamed Emma Hertz-Eichenrode immediately after the test, while she patted her Vienna's neck again and again full of gratitude. “She always gives everything for herself.” The jubilation at the end was twofold. Firstly, Emma Hertz-Eichenrode was delighted with her victory in the 3rd Children's rating, and then the 14-year-old fulfilled her dream of being crowned Indoor Champion presented by UVEX thanks to her consistently brilliant performances across all days of the show.

“A very special victory” in the NetAachen-Prize

Sunday at the Aachen Jumping Youngstars turned out to be the day of the Hertz-Eichenrode family. Shortly after Emma had been celebrated as the beaming winner in the children's class, her sister Laura secured victory in the 3rd rating class of the pony riders. Ten young talents made it through to the jump-off for the NetAachen-Prize, which was exciting right to the end. But no matter how hard her competitors tried, there was no way around the 15-year-old and her bay gelding Casper, who didn't miss a hundredth of a second on the course. “My pony did a great job,” the young rider from Hanover had nothing but praise for her 19-year-old sport partner. “I would never have dared to dream of being right at the front here today. This is a very special victory for me.”

This day was also special for Brianne Beerbaum. The daughter of show-jumping legend Meredith-Michaels Beerbaum, who looked more excited on the sidelines of the show-jumping arena than when she was competing for victories and placings year after year in the neighboring main stadium of the CHIO Aachen, secured the title of Pony Champion presented by UVEX this year thanks to her brilliant performances over all days of the show. “I think my pony loves Aachen just as much as I do,” said the reigning German Champion and European Championship bronze medal winner about her Noriego vd Riloo. “To be able to take home a sash here again this year makes me very proud and happy.”

Photo: Jasmin Metzner