German Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championships: Mathies Rüder Wins in the Young Rider Division, Iliane Hannalisa Hein in the Junior Division

Fifty juniors and young riders competed in the two championship events, 44 of them in the junior division. The day before, Calvin Böckmann had already won the U25 German Championship. The World Championship roster was then announced.

Young Riders: Mathies Rüder Had Time for the German Championships

The field was small—six pairs in the Young Riders age category competed in the CCI3*-L for the title at the German Championships. Mathies Rüder took the win on the eight-year-old Swedish horse Hjoptimus by Carambole, ahead of Smilla Maline Philipp on the Trakehner Promising Pete TSF by Hirtentanz. Pita Schmid took bronze on the Hanoverian mare Favorita V by First Ampere.

For 21-year-old Rüder from Schleswig-Holstein, it was a comeback at the national championships. “I haven’t been here for many years because we always had our own show jumping tournament on Fehmarn. This year, the dates worked out,” said the son of a family of eventing and show jumping riders. After placing second in dressage and cross-country, he followed up with a clear round in show jumping and won with 29.1 penalty points.

“Once Truly Saved”

“I was sure my horse was in good shape today. But at the triple jump, he really saved me once,” said the certified equine specialist. He has quite a few achievements to his credit in two disciplines: European Junior Champion in eventing, German Children’s Champion in show jumping, and currently a reserve for the U21 European Show Jumping Championships. He doesn’t want to commit to anything just yet.

My heart is always set on whatever sport I’m currently playing.

Hjoptimus has been with Rüders for a year and a half. The gelding comes from the stable of Swedish rider Christopher Forsberg. “Last year, we were still lacking a bit of confidence here and there. We found that over the winter.” Luhmühlen was already the second victory of the season.

Philipp and Schmid Round Out the Podium

Smilla Maline Philipp didn’t lose her lead until the final jump. Although she also rode Promising Pete TSF clear of faults, she incurred 2.8 time penalties and won the silver medal with 30.2 penalty points.

“I should have galloped a little faster on the trails. That was frustrating, but he jumped very well,” said the 2023 Junior Double European Champion about the Trakehner, whom she has only been riding since last year.

Thanks to a clear round, last year’s junior champion Pita Schmid moved up to the bronze medal position with Favorita V. With her dressage score of 32.3 penalty points, she remained in the same position in the standings. Carl Voigt fell back to fourth place after two jumping faults with Descansado by Destacado.

National Team Coach Frank Ostholt Is Optimistic

National team coach Frank Ostholt expressed his satisfaction. “In recent years, the pool of young riders has been relatively small. Now, some good riders have moved up from the junior ranks.”

Finally, CCI3*-L again

The competition format was also important to him. The German Championship was once again held as a long three-star competition. As a result, five of the six pairs that competed earned the remaining qualification spot for the European Championships in Segersjö, Sweden. “Now we still have the form check in Hamm-Rhynern. If things go just as well there, we should be competitive at the European Championships,” said Ostholt.

Hein Wins Junior German Championship After a Thrilling Final

44 pairs competed at the German Junior Championships in Luhmühlen. After the dressage and a long two-star cross-country course that was fluid to ride but by no means easy, the favorites were neck and neck. Twenty-three pairs completed the cross-country course without any penalty points for faults or time. The show jumping would decide the medal standings.

Junior Athletes and an Olympic Champion in a Single Competition

The junior riders competed in the class alongside some of the big names in senior-level equestrian sports. Leading the way was Olympic champion Julia Krajewski, who won the class with Aljana, a daughter of Karajan and the 2025 National Champion. Libussa Lübbecke took second place with Daroca de Rioja FRH by Diacontinus, ahead of Julia Krajewski/Hickstead Light and Malin Hansen-Hotopp/Margaretha.

Iliane Hannalisa Hein, riding Akeby’s Quemiro Silla, secured the gold medal by finishing sixth—and as the top junior. The 18-year-old rode a flawless round and benefited from the fact that several pairs ranked ahead of her each had one knockdown. With 28.2 penalty points, she won her first national title.

“Homemade” Success

“I wasn’t expecting this at all. After the course, I was only sixth (in the German Championship standings) and thought the pairs ahead of me were sure bets. When they started making mistakes, I could hardly believe it,” Hein said.

Her 14-year-old Quaterback son, Akeby’s Quemiro Silla, comes from her mother Susan Hein’s breeding program. Having grown up on the family farm in Akeby, just across the Danish border, the new champion has known her gelding from the very beginning. “I’ve known him my whole life. I think that’s exactly what makes our bond so special.”

Silver for Sühling, Bronze for Staade

Lukas Wilhelm Sühling had to relinquish the title after a jumping error. Riding Allnightparty by A la carte, a nine-year-old Westphalian from the Bergendahl stable, the successful eventing rider from Borken won the silver medal (29.8).

The bronze medal went to Milla Staade. Last year’s European Pony Vice-Champion, who is just 16 years old, proved with two horses that her transition to the junior division has been a success. Riding the Westphalian mare Cascablanca by Cascadello, she had one jumping fault and won her first medal on a full-size horse with 31.3 penalty points. Riding Christ William, she placed 15th. “I didn’t expect to win a medal at all. I just wanted to ride good rounds and be happy with my horses,” said Staade.

Ostholt: “Competition is good for business”

National team coach Frank Ostholt expressed great satisfaction with the juniors’ performance level: “We have an incredible number of strong pairs this year. The riders were exceptionally well-prepared and delivered strong performances.”

Before the European Championships in Segersjö, Sweden, there will be a form check in Hamm-Rhynern in early August. The roster will be announced afterward.

Results of all championships at rechenstelle.de