The FEI Dressage European Championship 2026 for U25 and Young Riders in Pilisjászfalu (HUN) delivered a thrilling weekend of closely contested competition, with both the team and individual medals fiercely fought. Germany once again proved unbeatable in the team championships, with the Young Riders claiming their 43rd European team title, while the German U25 squad successfully defended the gold medal they won last year.
The action got underway on Wednesday and Thursday with the Team Competitions. Just as they did twelve months ago in Kronberg (GER), Germany dominated both age categories, taking team gold in both the Young Riders and U25 Championships. All German combinations scored above 70 percent in their respective Team Tests.
The Young Rider squad consisted of Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen with Attractive, Marie Sohler with Askehavens Beau Sancy, Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel with Zinq Escalla OLD FH and Nele Klaus with Bonfire. Chef d'Equipe Cornelia Albrecht looked back on the team competition with satisfaction.
“We had a mixture of experienced championship riders and newcomers this year, both in the U25 team and the Young Riders,” she said.
Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen, who claimed the Junior individual European title last year, once again produced the highest score for the German Young Rider team.
“Julie Sofie presented her horse with great harmony. She has a beautiful position and rides with consistent contact and relaxation. In her first year as a Young Rider, Marie delivered a very steady test. Lana-Pinou has a lovely horse with plenty of swing, while Nele also impressed at her first championship,” Albrecht summarised.
The Netherlands claimed the silver medal in the Young Rider Team Championship, with Denmark taking bronze after a closely fought contest in which the margins to the German team remained remarkably small.
Germany also defends U25 team gold
Germany's winning U25 team consisted of Rose Oatley with Alive and Kicking, Lucie-Anouk Baumgürtel with Zinq First Vienna FH FRH, Katharina Schuster with Quence L and Pia-Carlotta Gagel with Riccio 7.
"Lucie-Anouk and Rose both have plenty of championship experience, but they are both competing in this class with a new horse. The fact that they performed so well speaks for their talent,” said Albrecht.
Rose Oatley headed the leaderboard after the Team Test.
“Rose has only been riding this mare for a short time, so it is fantastic what they have already achieved together. Lucie-Anouk produced her horse herself and delivered a relaxed, correct test. Katharina also rides a home-educated horse with a great deal of quality and presented him with great sensitivity. Pia-Carlotta has a horse with a wonderful character who is very reliable in piaffe, passage and the flying changes.”
Following Germany's highly successful Team Competition, fewer German combinations topped the podium in the individual championships. Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen and Attractive added individual silver in the Young Riders, while Rose Oatley and Alive and Kicking claimed U25 Individual gold before adding Freestyle bronze.
“There were a few mistakes in the later competitions, but I am still proud of how everyone performed and of the way they have trained and presented their horses according to the classical principles,” Albrecht said.
Lara van Nek and Jatilinda rise to the occasion
After the closely fought Team Competition, the individual championships produced a very different outcome. In the Young Riders, Lara van Nek (NED) and her home-bred mare Jatilinda, bred by Van Nek's mother, exceeded all expectations. The pair produced two personal best scores – 74.264% in the Individual Test and 80.255% in the Freestyle – to secure an impressive double gold. Their performances combined expressive movement with relaxation, while remaining technically faultless throughout.
“It still hasn't really sunk in yet. So much has happened in the past two days. I'm incredibly happy,” Van Nek said.
“Today in the Freestyle, Jatilinda was really on fire, but everything came together so well. This European Championship has exceeded all my expectations. Of course, I hoped for a medal, but I never expected this. Team silver and two individual gold medals is something I never dared to dream of.”
Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen (GER) and Attractive claimed silver in the Young Rider Individual Test with 73.177%, while Michella Skovsager (DEN) and Zimillione PT took bronze on 72.941%. Skovsager then moved up to silver in the Freestyle with a harmonious performance rewarded with 77.845%, while Mette Dahl (GBR) and Daytona Platinum claimed bronze on 75.930%.
Oatley and Luiten share the U25 honours
After already leading the Team Test, Rose Oatley (GER) and Alive and Kicking – known at home as Audrey – raised the bar even further in the U25 Grand Prix 16-25, winning individual gold with 74.897%. Although the partnership has only been together for two and a half months, they already displayed remarkable harmony and confidence. An error in the one-tempis during the Freestyle prevented a clean sweep, but the performance still earned them the bronze medal.
“I couldn't have expected any more. I've had Audrey for only two and a half months now and I'm so proud of her,” Oatley said.
“I'm absolutely over the moon with how this weekend has gone, and I'm still trying to process everything. Audrey and I have only known each other for such a short time, but we're learning more about each other every day. Even this week alone I learned so much. Every day we found a few more pieces of the puzzle to build that special connection. This success means so much to me.”
Chef d'Equipe Cornelia Albrecht was equally impressed. "That was a real goosebump test."
The Freestyle title, however, went to Marten Luiten (NED) and Johnny. The Dutch rider concluded an outstanding youth championship career in style, as this is his final year as a U25 rider. Across seven European Youth Championships, Luiten has now collected an impressive 15 medals, including six golds.
Riding to music featuring works by Ludovico Einaudi, Luiten delivered an elegant and technically polished Freestyle, highlighted by expressive piaffe and passage work. Having produced Johnny himself to this level, the pair have only been competing internationally at U25 level since February.
“I'm so happy. This was our best test so far and I'm incredibly proud of Johnny. He improved every single day throughout the championship. Johnny gives such an amazing feeling, and today everything just came together”, Luiten said.
From Hungary to Czechia
The successful week in Pilisjászfalu now draws to a close. The FEI Dressage European Championships continue next week in Olomouc (CZE), where the Junior and Children Championships will take centre stage.