Madlin Tillmann and Mister Prime Time: Golden hat-trick in pony dressage

The first golden highlight was set on Saturday by a local heroine: Madlin Tillmann from Grevenbroich secured the German Championship title in the "Kies- und Sand-Tour" for ponies with Mister Prime Time, achieving three wins from three starts and a total of 228.913 percent. In a thrilling third round, the 15-year-old narrowly edged out Leni-Sophie Gosmann (silver, 227.065 percent). Bronze went to Hannah Charlotte Isbruch with Dabia Dior NRW (223.408 percent).

Tillmann was overwhelmed after her triumph: “At first, I didn’t really realise it, to be honest I wasn’t expecting it. Now I’m just happy and incredibly proud of my pony,” said the beaming gold medallist, visibly moved after her third victory.

Brianne Beerbaum's unforgettable weekend in Aachen

The suspense in the junior show jumping "RF-Horsemotors Tour" was almost impossible to top. After three demanding rounds, Jörg-Leon Zahn (Rhineland) with Quantro van de Vogelzang was able to celebrate gold – with just 0.06 faults ahead of Leo Renner (Bavaria). “It’s unbelievable, I need to process it first. Of course I came to Aachen hoping to be up front, but I didn’t expect this. To become German Champion here is an incredible feeling, it doesn’t get any better,” said the 17-year-old, whose joy at winning the title could hardly be overlooked.

Bronze in the juniors went to Brianne Beerbaum (Hanover), who already got a taste of what was to come during the medal ceremony. Over the weekend, she wrote her own personal success story: On Friday she received the Golden Riding Badge, on Saturday she earned a top placing with the juniors – and on Sunday came the highlight: gold in the "NetAachen-Tour" for ponies. Thanks to clear rounds in all competitions and impressive composure, she left Malte Merschformann and Luna Hagedorn (both Westphalia) behind. “Riding here in Aachen is wonderful, and then to become German Champion as well is simply incredible. I’m so proud of Sucato and so grateful to be able to ride this pony,” said the overjoyed 15-year-old, who was overwhelmed by her emotions after the final.

Dressage highlights: Clara Kohoutek and Nele Klaus shine

Nele Klaus celebrated a similar start-to-finish victory in the "consteed Tour" for young riders in dressage. Together with her gelding Bonfire, she entered the arena three times – and left as the winning pair each time. In the end, they totalled 219.158 points. “I still can’t quite believe it. We did come to Aachen with some expectations, but I didn’t necessarily expect to win,” said Klaus, who was overwhelmed by happiness and pride after her triumph. Josephine Ruppert and her Bavarian teammate Capri-Marie Raum (former member of the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS Excellence Programme) completed the podium.

There was also a major triumph in the "CPA Lichtkonzepte Tour" for juniors: Clara Kohoutek (Baden-Württemberg) and Dark Dancer impressed with an outstanding freestyle (76.550 percent) and a total of 221.934 percent. Silver went to Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen (Rhineland), bronze to Eve Catherine Bartels (Hesse). For Kohoutek, the success was a very special moment: “I didn’t expect it at all and I haven’t really realised it yet. It’s just an amazing feeling. I’m so proud of Dark Dancer. We’ve known each other for so long and have such a close bond. That makes it even more special,” beamed the freshly crowned German Champion after the prize-giving ceremony.

"Bundesnachwuchschampionat Pferd": Lilli von Helldorff impresses in the horse-swap final

The "Bundesnachwuchschampionat Pferd - Liselott-Rheinberger-Nachwuchsförderpreis", is known for its special format – in the final, the top three riders swap horses. In the end, Lilli von Helldorff from Hanover prevailed with an impressive total score of 26.1 and was celebrated as a deserved winner. She impressed not only with her own horse Fürst Rico, but also demonstrated great empathy and riding skill on her competitors’ horses – Ferguston and Da Rubio. Second place went to Marielle Engelmeyer with 24.4 points, closely followed by Ava Lia Rodloff with 24.0 points. The 15-year-old winner was overjoyed: “I’m absolutely thrilled with this big success, it really is something very special for me,” said von Helldorff after the horse-swap final.

Children: Three starts, three wins and gold for Eske Biermann

The "HAVENS Pferdefutter-Tour" for children was all about Eske Biermann (Hanover) and Quineiro: three clear rounds, three wins, gold – a flawless record. Biermann was moved after her triumph: “I’m a bit speechless and just grateful to be able to ride Quineiro. He went so well in every round. I can’t really put into words what it means to win here,” said the radiant winner.

With the decision in the "Kies- und Sand-Tour" for young riders on Sunday afternoon, the curtain fell on the German Youth Championships 2025 in the Aachen Soers – and the stage belonged to a young rider from Westphalia: Marlene Becker secured both the victory in the final third rating competition and the title of German Champion with an impressive performance on her gelding Camelot. In the decisive final, Marlene Becker showed nerves of steel and composure. She was the only competitor to remain clear in both rounds – a feat that brought her not only the day’s victory but also the gold medal overall. Silver went to Emile Baurand from Bavaria, who showed consistently strong performances throughout all rounds with his horse Champ. Bronze was claimed by Magnus Schmidt from Saxony-Anhalt on Vivo de Muze PS, completing the podium.

With this last decision, four days of top-class youth sport, exciting competitions, and great emotions in the Aachen Soers came to an end. The new title holders have impressively shown how much talent, passion, and promise the next generation of German equestrian sport holds – and can rightfully celebrate their achievements at the German Youth Championships 2025.