PODCAST - Ungrytter Julie Dam Jensen var fornylig med til at vinde EM team bronze til Danmark

Ungrytter Julie Dam Jensen og hendes 9-årige vallak Finale Melody var med til at vinde EM team bronze i Kronberg i Tyskland. Finale Melody er efter Franklin / Schwadroneur og avlet af Else Rohmann og ejet af Julie Dam Jensen. Julie har selv stået for al uddannelse af ham frem til nu, med Jesper Bisgaard og senest også med Maik Kohlschmidt på sidelinien.

Parret sluttede som nr. 5 og nr. 4 med 2 x personlige bedste score i de individuelle konkurrencer.

Sammen med team kollegaerne Michella Skovsager med Blue Hors Elliot og Anna Taibel Raben med Sparaday vandt Julie og Finale Melody team bronze.

Efter sidste år at have afsluttet studentereksamen, har det seneste år stået 100% i hestene tegn. Julie har altid drømt om en plads på landsholdet, og i år gik drømmen endelig i opfyldelse.

Julie fortæller bl.a. om vejen mod landsholdsdebuten, kammeratskabet, det at ride på et team, om med opbakningen fra både familie, venner og konkurrenter.

At række ud efter økonomisk støtte, hos folk som Julie ikke kendte, for at kunne udleve drømmen om at ride EM, og så samtidig levere resultater, der var langt over egne forventninger.

23 - 27 Oldenburger Landesturnier (National Oldenburger Championship) including Elite mare Show 24 July

Young horses championship and Elite mare Show

For the Oldenburger Landesturnier the most attractive competitions to follow are the young horse competitions including the young stallions. Starting Wednesday 9.30 with 4 yr old stallions.

Link for start and results.

Elite Mare Show Thursday

55 young mares are qualifies for the prestigious Elite mare show in Rastede with some really high scores from the performance testing.

  • 18 by Bond/Damon Hill/Roaster - Trot 8,50 - canter 9,00 -walk 8,50 - ride ability test rider 8,50 = 8,65

  • 23 by Dynamic Dream/Sir Donnerhall/Don Schufro - Trot 10,00 - canter 9,00 - walk 9,00 - ride ability test rider 9,50 = 9,20

  • 25 by Dynamic Dream/Finest/Dimaggio - trot 9,00 - canter 9,00 - walk 8,00 - ride ability test rider 9,50 = 8,68

  • 28 by Florida TN/Sir Donnerhall I/Lavauzelle AA - trot 9,00 - canter 10,00 - walk 8,00 - ride ability test rider 9,50 = 8,95

  • 42 by Sezuan/D´avie/Don Schufro - trot 8,50 -canter 9,00 -walk 8,50 - ride ability test rider 9,00 = 8,68 (close to full 🇩🇰Danish Warmblood bloodlines with Sezuan out out Uno Donna Unique)

Here you find the entire catalog.

Judging team for the Elite mare show: Josef Freese, Ute von Platen, Dr. Evelin Schlotmann, Peer Eitenmüller and Oliver Oellrich.

From the arena to the stars : a spectacular day at the Championship

Cadre Noir - Photo © B. Lemaire / IFCE

PRESS RELEASE

FEI Dressage European Championship – Crozet (FRA) – August 27 to 31, 2025

On Saturday, rest day between the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle of the FEI Dressage European Championship, the organisers have planned a familyfriendly interlude, culminating in a performance by the prestigious Cadre Noir de Saumur and the acrobatic show “Galileo.”

On Saturday, 30 August, while no sporting competitions will take place at Jiva Hill Stables in Crozet (FRA), families are warmly invited to visit the exhibitors' village from 10 am, with free admission for the day. More than twenty stands will be open to visitors, alongside activities for younger guests, including popular pony rides that are always a favourite among aspiring riders. Two refreshment stands and several food trucks will be available to serve snacks and drinks in the enchanting setting of Jiva Hill Stables.

Traditional French equestrianism

In the evening, the organisers will present two exceptional shows, beginning with the well renowned Cadre Noir de Saumur. This iconic institution of French equestrian art will deliver a two-part performance. The first part will feature an equerry from the Cadre Noir providing commentary on the figures, highlighting the horse’s work, the rider’s mastery, and the precision and elegance of the presentation. The second part will offer a 15-minute performance celebrating the rich heritage of French equestrianism, whose reputation extends far beyond the circle of aficionados.

Celestial Theatre

Next comes the turn of the acrobats from the Compagnie Deus Ex Machina with their breathtaking aerial performance “Galileo”. At the heart of the show is a monumental, articulated sphere suspended more than 15 metres above the ground, around which the acrobats perform. This immense structure, reminiscent of ancient astronomical instruments, carries the performers through circular movements echoing the celestial mechanics of bygone times. Playing with the forces of physics – weights and counterweights, pendulums and ellipses – the troupe delivers a mesmerising spectacle. Renowned for their spectacular aerial creations, the company blends acrobatic mastery, stagecraft and stunning lighting effects. With their gaze fixed on the stars, spectators will be transported into a world of magic for one unforgettable evening.

For this exceptional evening, special tickets are now available on the FEI Dressage European Championship website, www.crozet2025.com. Guests may also book a table on the hospitality terrace or at the Casa Jiva stand, with menus served between the two shows. Full booking details are also available on the event website.

Aachen debut for Danish Warmblood stud JJ Horses based in Norway

JJ Horses was recently, for the first time ever, represented as a breeder at the most prestigious event in the world: CHIO Aachen.

Over the years, JJ Horses in Norway has been selling offspring to clients all around the world. This year marked a significant milestone, as JJ Horses was officially listed as a breeder for the international competition at Aachen.

The reason JJ Horses, based in Norway, is registered with Danish Warmblood is that Ole Jørgen Jørgentvedt, the owner of JJ Horses, has been one of the pioneers of Warmblood breeding in Norway. He has also been a key figure behind the Norwegian division of Danish Warmblood.

From promising young stallion now towards Grand Prix

Video below from Danish Warmblood stallion pre-selection December 2018 ⬇️ when JJ Glory Day was 2,5 yr old.

9 year old stallion JJ Glory Day by Grand Galaxy Win / Deemster has been under American ownership since he was 3 years old by Alice Tarjan, who is also the owner of the international super Grand Prix mare Jane. Both horses are ridden by Marcus Orlob.

Shortly after Aachen H2R caught Marcus Orlob for a small chat about JJ Glory Day and their debut in Aachen.

They started their journey when Glory Day was 3,5 yr old and Marcus got him in training from the owner Alice Trajan. From there they have been successful at young horse level with victories and top placements for the young horse championships in USA. As a 7 yr old Glory Day was also qualified for WCYH but they chose not to go to Europe at that time. During this winter season in Florida, Glory Day and Marcus made a successful step into Inter II level winning Lövsta Future Challenge.

During their stay in Europe Marcus and the horses were based in Düsseldorf, as this is his old hometown, where he stayed with family and caught up with old friends. As Aachen is about 1 hour drive from Düsseldorf Marcus has orginally planned to drive between Düsseldorf and Aachen in order to train Glory Day during the event. Luckily he was accepted to bring Glory Day for the small tour in Aachen, which made the entire stay much more convenient, and at the same time gave Glory Day a valuable experience, being in the big Aachen invironment.

The setting in Aachen, with training and warm up with spectators taking place or walking behind the hedge, was a bit stressful for Glory Day and it of course also affected his performances in the arena, as there was quite a bit of tension, but still well-behaved, tell Marcus.

“Glory Day is a very handsome and nice stallion,” says Marcus. “He usually goes hacking and has daily paddock time as all other horses. He is training towards Grand Prix debut, but still needs a bit more time, in order to become more stable and confirmed.” During their Düsseldorf stay Marcus also had the chance to train for Hubertus Schmidt, who was very impressed about the qualities for the future.

The dam of JJ Glory Day

The rideability and qualities has for sure been proven through the dam line of JJ Glory Day, JJ Dolce Gabanna by Deemster / Riccione / Donnerhall, as she as a youngster herself won the national championship with three different rider as 4 yr, 5 yr and 6 yr old.

JJ Dolce Gabanna has also produced Java Dulce by Jazz (former JJ Jaguar) which is now successful with American Laura Graves, and JJ Spencer by Secret at WCYH in 2024 with Jessica Lynn Thomas.

Last year Dolce Gabanna had a full sibling to JJ Glory Day, and this year she has a stunning black colt by Pround James.

German young horses selected for WCYH in Verden 5-10 August (including H2R favourites 🌟)

Segantini FRH and Dorothee Schneider were also last year part of WCYH for 6 yr old horses and will again this year compete for 7 yr old horses. Photo: (c) Stefan Lafrentz

German young horses selected yesterday. (🌟marked were the clear highlights from H2R)

5 yr old

  • Because of you OLD, by Benicio – Dimaggio (Breeder: Zuchthoff Hollen/Jan Calender, Rider: Beatrice Hoffrogge)

  • Estelle PS by Escalito – Wynton (breeder: Peter Spelsberg, rider: Lena Haßmann) 🌟

  • Ferdinand De Fontaine by Franklin – Sezuan (Breeder.: SCEA Domaine Fontaine L’Abbé, rider: Merita Hagren) 🌟

  • So Special, by Secret – Bon Coeur (Breeder.: Pia Sophie Wahlers, rider: Jessica Lynn Thomas)

  • Valentin, by Vitalis – DonSchufro (Breeder.: Jutta Steidl, Rider: Johanna Wadenspanner)

  • Viva Diamond OLD, by Vitalis – Don Diamond (Breeder.: Zuchthof Alberding, Rider: Linda Weiß)

  • Viva Diamond, by Viva Gold – Don Diamond (Breeder: ZG Herbert & Ursula Linz, Rider: Lisa Wernitznig) 🌟

  • Viva las Vegas RS, by Viva Gold – Foundation (Breeder.: Reinhard Baumgartner, Rider: Charlott-Maria Schürmann) 🌟

  • Reserve 1 - For Royalty, by For Romance I – Franziskus (Breeder.: Berthold Schoemaker, Rider: Leonie Richter)

  • Reserve 2 - D'Egalité Gold, by Dancier Gold – Totilas (Breeder.: Christine Schmitz, Rider: Borja Carrascosa)

6 yr old

  • Endorphin FRH, by Escolar Don Nobless (Breeder.: Ingo Pape, Rider: Greta Heemsoth) 🌟

  • Escaneno, by Escamillo – Veneno (Breeder.: Tobias Schult, Rider.: Lisa Lindner) 🌟

  • Felice FRH, by Fürst Samarant – Riverside (Breeeder: Rene Jansen, Rider.: Greta Heemsoth) 🌟

  • Füchtels Hailey, by Don Martillo – Damon Hill (Breeder.: Andrea Gräfin von Merveldt, Rider: Patricia Seddig)

  • La Jolie SW, by Escamillo – Londonderry (Breeder: Sabine Wehle, Rider: Carina Scholz)

  • Schatzmeister MZ, by Secret – De Niro (Breeder.: Ewald Grotelüschen, Rider: Ann-Christin Wienkamp)

  • Vitamin B, by Valverde – Christ (Breeder: Hedda Ottmann-Droege, Rider: Charlott-Maria Schürmann) 🌟

  • WinHorses Eleven, by Escamillo – Den Haag (Breeder: Roukaz Soufiah, Rider: Flore De Winne)

  • Reserve 1 - Vitali PS, by Vitalis – Sandro Hit (Breeder.: Gestüt Lewitz, Rider: Charlott-Maria Schürmann)

  • Reserve 2 - Glamdale WP NRW, by Glamourdale – Millennium (Breeder:: ZG Werner & Heike Pleines, Rider: Stefanie Ahlert).

7 yr old

  • Elliot the Dancer, by Escolar – Vitalis (Breeder: Leo Hermanns, Rider: Stefan Wolff) 🌟

  • Füchtels High Light OLD, by Floriscount – Damon Hill (Breeder: Andrea Gräfin von Merveldt, Rider: Patricia Seddig) 🌟

  • Gaspard, by His Moment – Imperio (Breeder: Angelica Lauritzen, Rider: 🇩🇰Cecilie Hedegaard) 🌟

  • Rocketeer, by Rock Forever I– Franziskus (Breeder: Thomas Holling, Rider.: Laurin Hofmann)

  • Rumours, by Revolution – Bequia (Breeder: Michael Procter, Rider: Maren Müller-Bentes)

  • Segantini FRH, by Secret – Fidermark (Breeder: Christine Feichtinger, Rider: Dorothee Schneider) 🌟

  • Zewano, by Zackerey – Romanov Blue Hors (Breeder: Alessandro Alemani, Rider: Franz Trischberger)

  • Zulu GV, by Zarathustra MT – Sorento (Breeder: Gestüt Vorwerk/Inh.Elisabeth Max-Theurer, Rider: Laura Strobel)

  • Reserve 1 - Top Shelf, by Top Gear – Sandro King (Breeder: Günter Kolb, Rider: 🇩🇰Laila Wittendorff)

  • Reserve 2 - About You II, by AC-DC – Estobar NRW (Breeder: Stephan Borgmann, Rider: Yara Reichert)

Source: https://www.pferd-aktuell.de/news/aktuelle-meldungen/zucht/nominierung-wm-der-jungen-dressurpferde-2025-

Pressemeddelelse: Opdaterede etiske retningslinjer fra Dansk Ride Forbund

Dansk Ride Forbund lancerer opdaterede etiske retningslinjer for brug af heste i sport

Som en del af Dansk Ride Forbunds nye strategi ”Sammen om Hestevelfærd”, er Dansk Ride Forbund nu klar med en opdatering af forbundets retningslinjer for faglig og etisk korrekt brug af heste. Anvendelse af heste må ikke kompromittere hestenes velfærd, så de nye retningslinjer, er baseret på nyeste faglig viden og evidens, som skal sikre en fælles forståelse og forankring.

14. juli 2025

Dansk Ride Forbunds formål er bl.a. at udvikle og udbrede samspillet mellem hest og menneske, med fokus på sikkerhed for begge parter, trivsel og sundhed for hesten samt harmoni mellem alle. Det er en del af Dansk Ride Forbunds overordnede vision at styrke hestevelfærden i dansk ridesport.

Formand for Dansk Ride Forbund, Kimi Nielsen:
”De nye etiske retningslinjer beskriver Dansk Ride Forbunds forventninger og retningslinjer for anvendelse af heste. Siden den nye bestyrelse blev valgt i december, har vi arbejdet med en opdatering, som vi nu er klar med. De nye guidelines vil blive retningsgivende for, hvordan vi fremover træner og fremviser vores heste."

De etiske retningslinjer er baseret på faglighed og evidens
Opdateringen af det faglige grundlag for korrekt anvendelse af heste i sport, er baseret på anbefalinger fra Dansk Ride Forbunds ekspertgruppe bestående af forskere samt veterinære og ridetekniske eksperter. Retningslinjerne vil løbende blive opdateret på baggrund af ekspertgruppens analyser af nyeste faglige viden og evidens.

”Det er Dansk Ride Forbunds ambition, at Danmark både konkurrerer på topniveau rent sportsligt og samtidig står som et internationalt forbillede for sporten og for hestevelfærd i praksis”, udtaler Kimi Nielsen.

I Danmark er alle former for dyrehold reguleret af loven, herunder Dyrevelfærdsloven og bekendtgørelse om dyrevelfærdsmæssige mindstekrav til hold af heste. Medlemmer af Dansk Ride Forbunds medlemsklubber forventes i alle henseender at overholde gældende lovgivning.

Dansk Ride Forbunds etiske retningslinjer for brug af heste, er et supplement til den gældende lovgivning. De etiske retningslinjer fastsætter rammerne for en faglig funderet etisk korrekt brug af heste i sport såvel i den daglig træning som til konkurrence.

Dansk Ride Forbunds etiske retningslinjer udmøntes i praksis via Dansk Ride Forbunds reglement samt bedømmelser.

Spørgsmål vedr. de nye skærpede etiske retningslinjer, kan rettes til formand for DRF, Kimi Nielsen, på tlf. +45 40 18 04 84 eller på mail: kgn@rideforbund.dk

​Du kan læse og downloade de opdaterede etiske retninglinjer her.

Falsterbo victory puts exclamation mark on dominant FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season for Germany

Germany finished the 2025 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season the same way they began it: with a victory. The German team secured its third consecutive series victory Saturday at Falsterbo (SWE), recording their fourth victory of the year in five starts.

The Hartmut Lemmers-led squad, which consisted of Tessa Frank (Lavaletta), Evelyn Eger (Tabledance 3), and Svenja Kämper-Meyer (Amanyara M Frh), put an exclamation mark on the season with a winning total of 204.087. The Netherlands finished second (197.978), narrowly followed by Sweden (197.283).

Germany's four victories this season—which were earned at Wellington (USA), Compiegne (FRA), and Aachen (GER) in addition to Falsterbo—have come with a wide variety of combinations, putting the country's depth in the sport on full display. Saturday's squad was among its least experienced at the level, but the young group rose to the occasion.

"We have three quite young riders from Germany [here]. They have a lot of experience, national and international, but to ride in a Nations Cup is something special.

Hartmut Lemmers

(GER)

"We in Germany are very lucky to have a lot of good riders who can participate in a Nations Cup, so it was not always the same three or four riders that were riding," he added. "We were very happy to win with so many different riders, because that is what is good for the sport in the future. We can build up from very different riders—not just from our Olympic team."

The last rider to enter the arena, Kämper-Meyer produced the highest marks of the day in the CDIO4* Grand Prix test, earning a score of 69.609% aboard Amanyara M Frh. 

"I was a little bit nervous today, because being the last rider always brings a little bit more pressure," said Kämper-Meyer, who was the leadoff rider for Germany at Lier (GER). "My horse was very concentrated today...I could ride from point to point, and this is what makes her really good, because when she gets into the test, she knows what she has to do."

Eger, a part of Germany's winning effort in the season's opening leg at Wellington, delivered a 67.391% score. The 27-year-old has developed her partner Tabledance 3, now 10, for five years, their journey beginning in the U25 division. Now, they are proving their consistency at the senior Grand Prix level.

"For me, this horse is super special. She has the kindest heart," Eger said. "I started with her in the U25 series and then I switched over to the Young Horse Grand Prix series, so it was a big step for us to grow in the Grand Prix sport, and now we are here. It's a deep relationship between us."

Frank was just three-tenths of a point behind with Lavaletta (67.087%), who had only shown at the FEI Grand Prix level once before. Germany was the only team to have all three of its riders score above 77 percent.

"It's an absolute honor for me to represent Germany in the Nations Cup on this world [stage]. It is overwhelming for us," she said. "We had some little mistakes in the canter work, but I'm so happy with the horse, because she really tries, and the both of us are not very experienced in the Grand Prix. I'm just so happy to be here and happy to be on the team with these amazing people."

Germany comfortably cliched the series title for the third year in a row, finishing with 52 points. The Netherlands earned second honors with 45 points, followed by Belgium (43 points). According to Lemmers, his country's consistent excellence in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ series is a reflection of the federation's commitment to both winning in the present and building for the future.

"[The Nations Cup series] is very good for our head trainer, Monica Theodorescu. She can have an overview of how the horses and riders are developing. Then you always have three or four good riders together [on a team], and that is very good for the future," Lemmers said. "You are not only looking for Olympic teams, but also for other teams—what maybe in four years are Olympic teams.

"Today we had nice riding without pushing and stretching horses too deep," he added. "I'm very happy with this, how they performed."

FULL RESULTS

German Foal Championship comes up Saturday and Sunday

Escolar with 5 foals

When the prestigious German Foal Championship comes up tomorrow LIVE from Lienen at Clipmyhorse the best foals will be presented.

At the list of stallions with most foals are:

  • 5 by Escolar

  • 4 by Vjento

  • 4 by Most Wanted Nero von Bellin

  • 4 by V-Power

A total of 99 Dressage foals are qualified for the final. Both Saturday and Sunday it starts at 9.00.

Here you find the link for catalog and qualified foals.

31.000 euro top price colt by Vino Tinto / Fontaine TN at Westphalian online foal auction

Here you find the entire results.

PRESS RELEASE:

Young sire tops the price list Son of Vino Tinto achieves top price of 31,000 euros

Münster: 30 dressage-orientated young talents were up for sale this evening at the Westphalian online auction. 77 per cent of these found a new owner at an average price of 7,739 euro. A colt from the first vintage of Vino Tinto advanced to the top price of 31,000 euros.

The head number 1 in this auction lot was Vivant Vino. He is a son of Vino Tinto, who found his new home in the Netherlands last year at the Westphalian Spring Auction at a hammer price of 161,000 euros. This evening, 14 parties competed for the knockdown of his son, who was bred by Noortje Radstake, Netherlands, out of the Verb.Pr.St. Rubiera by Fontaine TN. The bids came from England, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany. The virtual hammer for the strong moving bay finally fell with the 40th bid at 31,000 euros.

Head number 3 Vivalesco JD also cracked the 10,000 euro mark. Once again, it was the stallion Va Bene from the Wadenspanner stallion station, whose offspring have already impressed in previous online auctions this year. This son of Va Bene/Escolar (breeder and exhibitor: Dieter Joachim, Delbrück) descents from the damline of Florenciano, who was successful in Grand Prix competitions under the saddle of Hubertus Schmidt. The young stallion was knocked down to Luxembourg at a hammer price of 16,000 euros.

A total of 23 of the 30 foals on offer changed hands this evening. With an average price of 7,739 Euros, the Westphalian Studbook realised a total turnover of 178,000 Euros. Six of the foals sold will grow up outside of Germany in the future.

🇩🇰🇩🇰Selina Vittinghus med Atterupgaards Bernachi og Susanne Barnow med Kjeldgårdens Django vinder af indledende 5 års og 6 års Folksam Open i Falsterbo

Dagens vinder team fra venstre ejer og avler Krisitine Munch Sinding, rytter Selina Vittinghus og medejer Charlotte Hamilton sammen med 5 års DV hingsten Atterupgaards Bernachi e. Bon Courage/Caprimond. Privat foto.

5 års Folksam Open - de 12 bedste klar til finalen

Selina og “Benny” har medbragt sidste uges gode form fra UVM udtagelsen, og kunne med en super flot tur idag slå fast hvorfor de er blandt de også udtagne ekvipager til UVM i Verden i starten af august. Dagens score 88,000 for gangarter og 71,364% for program = samlet 79,682%.

På en skarp 2. plads finder vi endnu en dansker nemlig Anne-Marie Hosbond med Fürstenklang, som gik ad midten for 2. gang i dag nogensinde.

Selvom Emma Ahlberg er svensker, så medtages hun her som dansker med en flot debut og samlet nr. 6 sammen med SK Ivanna (helbror til hingsten Iron). Også klar til finalen er Katrine Kraglund med Hamiltons Tiger KIng placeret som nr. 7, og placeret som nr. 12 og sidste i finalen er det Fredensdals Impressive med Betina Jæger.

6 års Folksam Open - 12 ekvipager klar til finalen

Vinder af semfinalen Folksam Open for 6 års Kjeldgårdens Django e. Donkey Boy/De Noir, avlet af Jørgen Nielsen og ejet af Steffen Kristensen og Barnow Dressage og redet af Susanne Barnow.

Parret kommer også med en frisk UVM udtagelse som 1. reserve fra sidste uge, og viser en overbevisende tur i dag med dagens højeste score for gangarter 92.200 samt 70,167% for programmet. Samlet score på 81.184%

Finaleklar er også Michala Damm-Frydenberg med Vesterbundgårds Armani e. Freestyle / De Noir, avlet af R. Christensen & A. Pedersen og ejet af CVL Horses. En ekvipage der i løbet af foråret har været særdeles succesfulde med M-niveau, og viser i dag også hvorfor de kan blande sig helt i toppen. Parret slutter som samlet nr. 5. Dansk avlet Alibi´s Survivor med norske Caroline Hansen, som til dagligt er ansat hos Søren Wind er også finaleklar med en placering som nr. 9, mens Susanne Barnow også er finaleklar med Jack Daniel´s ABN placeret som nr. 11.

5 års klar til finalen

6 års klar til finalen

CHIO Aachen 2025: Standing Ovations for sensational winner Justin Verboomen in the Lindt-Prize (Press release)

The spectators celebrated the rider that had won over their hearts and who is now also the winner of the Lindt-Prize 2025, the Belgian show-jumper Justin Verboomen and his stallion, Zonik Plus, the dressage discovery of the year. Since the CHIO Aachen at the latest.

The sensation is perfect. It is Justin Verboomen and his self-schooled, nine-year-old Zonik Plus’ first Grand Prix season and the pair managed to qualify for the CHIO Aachen straight off. It was Verboomen’s first appearance at the World Equestrian Festival. And the Lindt-Prize went to a Belgian pair for the first time in the history of the CHIO – who in the proceeds left last year’s winners and Olympic silver medallists behind them, the most successful dressage rider of all time, Isabell Werth, and her Wendy de Fontaine. Verboomen was awarded a score of 89.40 percent, Werth 88.44 percent. Third place went to the delighted team Olympic gold medallist, Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth OLD, ahead of the Olympic bronze medallist, who came third in the MEGGLE-Prize, Becky Moody (GBR) with Jagerbomb (85.490).

The sensational thing was the way the triumph of Verboomen and his Hanoverian-bred Zonik son came about and how he was celebrated. It was the victory of harmony and smoothness.

Ideally, dressage riding is like dancing – two partners in harmony. The one leads and supports discreetly; the other partner accepts the lead and lets both shine out as a pair. That was precisely what Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus did today in the Lindt-Prize 2025. That is how one imagines dressage to be. Light, matter of course – effortlessness instead of control. All of which was accompanied by light, discreet melodies that were composed especially for the pair. “I wanted to make it smooth and harmonious so the people could feel the emotions… I want them to feel the sensitive part of Zonic and me. I want them to get goosebumps,“ explained Verboomen. He definitely achieved his aim, everyone in the Dressage Stadium in Aachen today felt the connection between the rider and Zonik Plus, whom Verboomen discovered and bought as a two-year-old in Portugal. He then brought Zonik back to Belgium when he was three and a half and has been schooling him ever since.

When the pair turned on to the last centre line of the freestyle, the spectators started clapping to the rhythm of the music. At first one was worried it might disturb Zonik Plus’ concentration, but that wasn’t the case. As the pair halted for the salute, the crowd jumped up on its feet – thunderous applause, whistling and standing ovations accompanied the pair on their way to the exit. Then, the score was announced: 89.40 percent! Even more cheering and jubilation!

Quotes

Justin Verboomen after the prize-giving ceremony: “I am overjoyed, my horse was unbelievable! I really had a super connection with him today. That was my main goal here at the competition this week. That is the most important thing for me!” Whether he had already grasped the fact that he had earned himself a place on the Winners’ Board on his first appearance in Aachen? He shook his head tentatively. Obviously not. But he knows what he wants for the future: “The only thing I want is to have the same feeling I had today in the Grand Prix and the Special.”

Isabell Werth gave her all with Wendy. She didn’t even make any mistakes in the one-tempi changes, as she had in the classes before. She too received enthusiastic applause in her “living room”. Werth’s summary: “Yesterday Wendy was on fire, today she was more relaxed. I am happy with the improvements that have occurred from day to day. The canter was much better and can improve a little more. The transitions were great; the walk was immediately there. She was dynamic, there were no big mistakes.

Whether she was a little disappointed at coming second? “No! As I said, I love to have competition, I love competing. We all do. Sometimes you have a percentage more, sometimes a percentage less. This is the challenge.“

Frederic Wandres said: “It is the last day and I am back on the podium. We showed a good development. My horse was good all week. It was a tough week with the weather conditions, it was so hot at the beginning and now rain, which is difficult for the horses. He was also happy with his new freestyle music under the motto “All you need is love”. “The music came just on time; I didn’t have chance to test it,” he revealed. But it all fitted perfectly.

CHIO Aachen Head of Sport, Birgit Rosenberg: “The big winner today is the sport. We received a lot of criticism in the run-up. You gave the answer to that today. We saw super pictures, super horses. Thank you to you all, your teams your grooms they all work so hard behind the scenes. I think today was a foretaste of what we will see next year at the World Championships.

All CHIO Aachen 2025 results.

Photo: The sensational winner of the Lindt-Prize of the CHIO Aachen 2025, Justin Verboomen, on his Zonik Plus, as well as Ernst Tanner, Dr. Adalbert Lechner and Michal Spiller (Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lindt & Sprüngli AG, CEO of Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG and Managing Director of Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli Deutschland GmbH), Chief Judge Katrina Wüst and ALRV President Stefanie Peters. (Photo: CHIO Aachen/Jasmin Metzner).

CHIO Aachen 2025: Semmieke Rothenberger celebrates her first triumph at the Soers in the iWEST-Prize (press release)

Winner of the iWest-Prize, Semmieke Rothenberger on Farrington, together with her father Sven Rothenberger, Matthias Meyer (Managing Director of IWEST) and ALRV Supervisory Board member Peter Weinberg. (Photo: CHIO Aachen/Leonie Minten).

First victory at the CHIO Aachen and a new personal best – Semmieke Rothenberger won’t forget the Grand Prix Freestyle 2025 in the iWest-Prize in the Dressage Stadium at the Soers for the rest of her life.

“You have won in Aachen!!!” the national coach, Monica Theodorescu, rejoiced, kissing Semmieke Rothenberger on the cheek. Last year, the 25-year-old and her KWPN-bred gelding, Farrington, won the Final of the Piaffe-Prize, today they triumphed in the iWEST-Prize, the Grand Prix Freestyle of the CDI4*-Tour at the CHIO Aachen. What’s more, with a new personal best of 79.980 percent.

Kool & the Gang sang “It’s a celebration”. At the end of the Rothenberger and Farrington’s freestyle the crowd didn’t have to be asked twice. With rhythmic applause the spectators accompanied the pair through the last sequences of their fantastic choreography “That was a ride that I won’t forget as long as I live!” exclaimed Semmieke Rothenberger. “I noticed that the crowd started clapping very early on. But it was simply fantastic that they celebrated my horse. I mean, I celebrate him every day, but I find it absolutely wonderful that he impresses everyone else too!

Whereby she failed to mention that she too has contributed greatly to his success. She really has won everything that this sport has to offer, from Pony classes through to the U25 generation. She has also competed at the German Championships of the Seniors. But as the national coach said: Now she has also won in Aachen. A milestone in a career and one that other riders endeavour to achieve their whole life long. Her comment? “I am speechless.”

She left significantly more experienced trailing behind this evening. The Spanish rider, Borja Carrascosa finished second with Sir Hubert NRW on a score of 77.890 percent, followed by the 2014 Team World Champion, Fabienne Müller-Lütkemeier with Valencia AS, in third place.

All CHIO Aachen 2025 results.

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