Germany secured both the Children and Junior Team titles at the FEI Dressage European Championship for Juniors and Children 2026 in Olomouc (CZE).
Individually, Emilija Rucinskaite (BEL) claimed Children gold, while Clara Kohoutek (GER) won the Junior Individual title and Ida Bøllingtoft Asmussen (DEN) took Freestyle gold after the competition was suspended due to severe weather.
The Children Championship was dominated by Emilija Rucinskaite (BEL) and her eight-year-old gelding Nice Guy STW. The pair topped all three tests, comfortably scoring above 80% throughout the week. Despite Rucinskaite's Individual success, the Belgian team had to settle for silver behind Germany.
Linda Schuchmann (GER) and Figo de Halliers produced the highest German score in the Team Test, finishing second individually on 80.009%. However, the German team came under pressure after first rider Jasper Rasche's horse briefly put its tongue over the bit during the test.
Antonia Hansmeyer and Gentle van Wittenstein V finished seventh individually on 76.559%. "Jasper definitely put some pressure on us," she said. "I also made a small mistake, but fortunately the score was still high enough."
Cecilie Marie Hohl and Saluna W OLD successfully secured the title for Germany. "I really enjoyed my ride, even though the pressure was high. I managed to stay calm," she laughed.
Belgium claimed Team silver, while Great Britain took Team bronze.
Rucinskaite and Nice Guy STW recorded unanimous victories in both the Team Test and the Individual Test. The 13-year-old rider was especially proud of her horse.
"The first day was especially exciting because the other combinations were also producing high scores,” Rucinskaite said. “But Nice Guy was amazing. I'm so proud of him. He's so kind and always gives everything for me."
Rucinskaite, whose mother is Olympic Dressage rider Sandra Sysojeva (POL), already has ambitious goals for the future.
"It feels amazing to be European champion,” Rucinskaite said. “One day I hope to compete at the Olympic Games like my mum, but first there's another European Championship next year. Right now, I'm just so happy to be European champion. Everything felt good this week, and my teammates also rode so well. I'm very happy for the Belgian team."
Individual silver went to Linda Schuchmann (GER) and Figo de Halliers, while Cecilie Marie Hohl (GER) and Saluna W OLD completed the podium with bronze.
Germany also proved untouchable in the Junior Team competition. Three of the four German combinations finished inside the top four individually, led by Clara Kohoutek and Dark Dancer 39, who headed the Team Test on 74.545%.
Greta Louise Wagner (Vanessa H) and Martha Raupach (Francis Drake OLD) finished third and fourth respectively.
"It's amazing to be here with such a team," said Raupach. "This feels really special."
Kohoutek was equally pleased with her performance. Even without her winning score, Germany would still have secured Team gold. She said: "It was a nice feeling to go into the arena knowing that, but of course we still wanted to do our very best. I had a really good feeling."
Kohoutek, who also claimed Individual gold with Dark Dancer 39, said: "This was great. I had a great feeling and I'm so happy everything worked out how I wanted. Dancer felt fit and happy. He's really my dream horse. I had to ride quite early in the competition, so the long wait afterwards was nerve-racking.”
Denmark secured Team silver, while The Netherlands claimed Team bronze.
While everything had gone according to plan in the Individual Test for Kohoutek, the Freestyle proved far more dramatic.
With only a handful of combinations still to compete, severe weather suddenly hit Olomouc. Kohoutek had made a strong start to her Freestyle when heavy rain and strong winds swept across the venue.
The Ground Jury had no option but to halt her Freestyle and suspend the competition while riders, officials and spectators took shelter.
After a lengthy delay, Kohoutek had to restart her Freestyle from the beginning. Although she was unable to recreate the same feeling, particularly in the canter work, she still produced an impressive score of 78.030%, which earned her the silver medal.
Freestyle gold went to Ida Bøllingtoft Asmussen (DEN) and Gozzip with 78.610%. Throughout the week, the Danish rider had consistently challenged Kohoutek before narrowly moving ahead in the final competition.
Afterwards, she was clearly overwhelmed by the result. "Gozzip was amazing all week and I'm so very happy. I'm really overwhelmed. During the Freestyle she was so focused and we could ride perfectly to the music. We had no mistakes and it was the best feeling ever. Gozzip is always cheerful and loves to work. I enjoy every day with her. I hoped I might win a medal, but I never dared dream it would be gold."
Greta Louise Wagner (GER) and Vanessa H completed an excellent championship by taking bronze in both the Individual Test (72.765%) and the Freestyle (76.200%).