Aachen Dressage Youngstars 2021: High class before Christmas
Top dressage sport and a festively decorated hall - these are the ingredients of the Aachen Dressage Youngstars, the top-class dressage competition at the end of the year on the CHIO Aachen show grounds. Almost 80 competitors from 14 nations competed from Thursday to Sunday. Spectators were also admitted, the 2G rules applied. "We are very happy that we were able to offer the young riders a nice end to the year, especially in this season, in which many events were also cancelled," said Birgit Rosenberg, Spokeswoman of the Board of the organizing Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV).
Jana Lang successful in young rider tests
There were tears rolling down her face at the presentation ceremony: Jana Lang could hardly believe her success. In her first international start in the Young Rider age group, the European Junior Team Champion shone in all three tests. In the final freestyle, the Prize of the Hans-Peter Simons family, Lang and her sport partner Baron received a strong 81.333 percent. "I rode the freestyle for the first time today. I had no expectations beforehand, I just wanted to ride proper rounds and get security. I am all the happier that it has now turned out like this. I am speechless right now," beamed the rider. Three starts, three wins, so the calculation was simple: In addition to the three gold ribbons, Lang also received the much-coveted sash, a trophy and the title: Young Riders Champion 2021 - the prize of the Klaus Peters family. Second and third place in the freestyle also went to Germany: Helena Schmitz-Morkramer and DSP Lifestyle came second with 79.083 percent. Lucie-Anouk Baumgürtel and Zinq Hugo FH placed third.
Three starts, two wins - Allegra Schmitz-Morkramer dominates junior tests and also wins WOTAX Prize
"Allegra" is Italian and means "jolly." Fits. Unconcerned and sovereign Allegra Schmitz-Morkramer rode to victory in the WOTAX Prize. In the saddle of Libertad, the 16-year-old, who competes for the Hof Barkholz riding group, gave the competition no chance with a score of 78.875 percent. Behind the multiple European and German champion, Lena Merkt placed with Sarotti Mocca-Sahne (77.942) ahead of Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel (77.125) with ZINQ Founder FH. "To do three nice rounds" - that was Allegra's plan before the Aachen Youngstars. It worked out, two first places, once second, so the Prize of the Klaus Peters family can't be taken away from her anymore and she can call herself Indoor Championesse 2021.
Pony: Superior victory for Rose Oatley
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Three-time German Champion, three-time European Champion, world number one and now also two-time Aachen winner: Rose Oatley has - as she did in 2019 - won the Prize of BFT Cognos GmbH in superior style. This means that the 14-year-old, who competes for PS Granderheide, is also the winner of the Prize of the Klaus Peters family and can call herself the 2021 Indoor Champion. On Sunday she won in the saddle of Daddy Moon with 84.942 percent ahead of Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen (Carleo Go 3, 80.850) and Mia Allegra Lohe with Tovdal`s Golden Future Imperial (80.417). Rose is the daughter of Kristy Oatley - the dressage rider has already entered the arena for Australia at four Olympic Games. Mother and daughter make a good team, even if Rose gets diplomatic when asked if mom's pointers are sometimes too critical: "She has something to say about everything," she smiles.
Children: Lennea Höfler wins at the end - Lara Lattermann indoor champion
Granted: The children, i.e. the starters up to the age of 14 on large horses, still have a bit of time before they might be allowed to compete in the Deutsche Bank Prize at the CHIO Aachen. But Lennea Höfler, who clearly won the Children's competition on Sunday with her Dorian Gray, is already thinking about tomorrow: "I have already taken a close look at the Deutsche Bank Stadium and taken photos, a start there is a goal that I would like to achieve one day," she laughed overjoyed after her victory at the Aachen Dressage Youngstars. To stand at the top in the final competition - an outstanding feeling: "I am overjoyed, I just hoped that we would somehow manage this, that it worked out is a dream." Lennea won clearly with 79.653 percent ahead of Lara Lattermann, who scored 77.065 percent in the saddle of Soleil de la Coeur. Lara Lattermann also became the Indoor Champion of the Children after her victory on Saturday.
Aachen Youngstars Quadrille Championships: District Association Wesel 2 wins the Prize of Grundstück- & Gebäude-Service GmbH
Not only the riders glittered like Christmas, but also their horses entered the arena decorated with stars. Visually, everything was just right and Sarah Julie Behrens, Kiara Szymkowiak, Viola Elisabeth Pierkes and Franziska Spix with team leader Kristin Maiwald were also convincing in terms of choreography, harmony and coordination. In addition, the appropriate and slightly verswingte Christmas music and finished was the winning team. Second place went to the riders from the district association Wesel 1 (Leni-Sophie Gosmann, Emma Buschheuer, Lina Elisabeth Lenkajtis, Jonah Reiter) ahead of the district association Mettmann 1 with Johanna Grebler, Julie Berse, Niwine Berse and Mira Mankel.
There was a lot of understanding for the 2G rules plus the obligation to wear a mask up to the seat on the Aachen tournament days, "both athletes and spectators understand that there is no other way," said Birgit Rosenberg. From next Thursday, December 2 to Sunday, December 5, the show-jumpers will now follow at the "Aachen Jumping Youngstars - Salut Festival".
