Three age categories produced three new World Champions from three different nations at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Verden (GER). Einfach Imposant B and Kira Laura Soddemann (GER), Faustino G and Betina Jæger (DEN), and Odi Murona and Tessa Kole (NED) claimed the titles after five days of competition.
After several world titles were successfully defended at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in recent years, three new horses were crowned World Champions this year.
Einfach Imposant B crowned five-year-old World Champion
With all the horses still new and inexperienced on the international stage, the five-year-old class is one of the most exciting and unpredictable to watch. This year the bay gelding Einfach Imposant B comfortably claimed the world title under Kira Laura Soddemann (GER).
The name Einfach Imposant means ‘Simply Impressive’, and that was exactly what the gelding’s performance proved to be. Einfach Imposant B (sired by Escolar and owned by Dr Peter Brenske) remained fully focused in both tests, performing without mistakes and in harmony with his Athlete. The pair were crowned champions with 92.600%.
Silver went to Global Amour OLD, who competed under the German quota with Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN), while Weihe’s Happiness OLD and Alina Schneider (GER) took bronze.
Soddemann was full of praise for Einfach Imposant B. “He piloted me to this medal, he did everything for me and the feeling in the arena was just amazing.”
Global Amour OLD (sired by Global Power OLD and owned by Helgstrand Dressage and A. Helgstrand) scored 89.400% under Alexander Yde Helgstrand to claim silver. The Athlete has only been riding the licensed stallion since April.
“The World Championship was always our goal. Global Amour has all the foundations you need for a Young Horse World Championship. He is very powerful, always focused and gives an amazing feeling.”
While an imposing stallion took silver, bronze went to an elegant mare. Weihe’s Happiness (sired by Dynamic Dream, bred and owned by Christine Arns-Krogmann) is a granddaughter of the legendary mare Weihegold OLD and scored 85.800%.
“She gives the same feeling as her mother, which is amazing. She is very intelligent and knows the test inside out,” said Alina Schneider, who has also ridden Weihegold, the mare’s granddam.
Six-year-old gold for Faustino G
The first final contested in Verden was that of the six-year-olds. After taking the lead in Wednesday’s qualification, the DWB-registered Faustino G and Betina Jæger (DEN) held on to that position in the final.
It meant another horse bred by Denmark’s Helene Geervliet of Stutteri G finished at the top of the podium, after the Stutteri G-bred Quinn G became World Champion in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Following a high-quality final, Jæger and Faustino G. (sired by Farrell and owned by Stutteri G) entered the arena last and as the favourites, meaning the pressure was high. They convincingly claimed the world title with 91.000%, having already finished fourth last year.
“He loves to work, sometimes a little too much, but we’ve got that under control now, and he’s so incredibly supple and, really, he just gets better and better every day.”
Commentating Judge Knut Danzberg (GER) praised Faustino G for his elasticity, engagement and consistently good rhythm. “This is a high-quality horse with excellent prospects for the future.”
Runner-up was Merita Hagren (FIN), who also competed under the Danish quota with the long-legged DWB mare Dizzy (sired by Hesselhoej Donkey Boy, bred and owned by Hesselhoej.dk ApS).
“She’s so honest and gives her best every day, not just at home but also in competition,” Hagren said of the willing chestnut mare, who scored 88.200%.
Bronze went to the German-bred Sir Gribaldi (sired by Secret and owned by Gestüt Sprehe), with German-based Italian Athlete Beatrice Arturi in the saddle. The powerful bay stallion showed an attractive front and produced a very well-balanced test to score 86.400%.
Seven-year-olds: Odi Murona prevails after exciting battle
The seven-year-old competition produced a particularly exciting battle, with several changes at the top of the leaderboard in the final. Tessa Kole guided the bay mare Odi Murona to the world title with great feel and harmony.
Friday’s qualification was won by Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and her own Secret Agent, but in the final she and the black stallion were narrowly beaten by Kole and Odi Murona, who scored 83.429%.
Kole, who is only 21 years old herself, has ridden Odi Murona since the mare was three. “She’s incredible. She has a wonderful attitude. This week was her first time in such a big arena, but she was completely focused.”
Owner Ko van Belois originally bought the mare for breeding but decided to let Kole ride her instead.
“Tessa started training her and she won practically everywhere she competed. Some people told me I’d be wise to put her into competition first. So we changed our plans and now we’re World Champions,” Van Belois smiled.
The Judges also had high praise for the combination. Commentating Judge Monique Peutz said: “Wow, Tessa. We really loved your ride! This is how we want to see a horse presented. Odi Murona wants to work with you. Her paces are light-footed and active, and your horse shows great potential for collection. This really is a happy horse.”
Charlotte Dujardin and her black stallion Secret Agent fell just short of gold with 83.115%, with the slightly tense walk in particular costing them some marks.
The bronze medal went to the 2025 silver medallist, Brandtbjerg’s Divya (sired by Hesselhoej Donkey Boy and owned by Maibritt Rosenkilde). The Rosenkilde family acquired Divya after last year’s World Championship, and their 20-year-old daughter Theresa Rosenkilde skillfully guided her to bronze.
“We already have such a great partnership,” said the delighted bronze medallist.