The German U25 Trophy of the Stiftung Deutscher Pferdesport and Holger Hetzel, Prize of Holger Hetzel was practically a Holstein family affair – and not only because the winner, Tjade Carstensen, followed in the footsteps of his elder sister.

“Hard, but fair,” was how the national coach, Otto Becker, had described the course, which Frank Rothenberger had placed in the path of the finalists of the German U25 Trophy. At the end of the day, only two pairs managed to jump clear: Tjade Carstensen (20) with his eleven-year-old mare Gasira and Hannes Ahlmann (24) with Coquetto. Third place went to Johanna Beckmann (21) with Emelie van de Mirania Stam, who had the fastest time in the jump-off, but unfortunately, she knocked a rail. A curious anecdote: All three come from Schleswig-Holstein and all three had saddled Holstein-bred horses, or in the case of Johanna an Oldenburg-bred horse from a Holsteiner line. “We are a bit like brothers and sisters,” the overjoyed winner said, noting that he hadn’t expected to win this class on his first attempt.

After reaching the finish line clear in a time of 50.82, he praised his mare that exuberantly and joyfully as if he had already won. Whereas he was fully aware that he had actually left the door open for one of the following participants in the jump-off. “I did a safe round. I wanted to ride out of here on a good feeling,” was how he explained his strategy today. “Then when Johanna was three seconds faster and Hannes was still to go, I thought there is no way I’ll finish first in Aachen.”

However, Hannes Ahlmann, winner of yesterday’s qualifier took 53.37 seconds with Coquetto and admitted: “I was sort of half asleep in the jump-off. I didn’t find the right rhythm on my approach to the first fence.” And he didn’t find it over the rest of the course either. So, today he had to make do with second place. He has already competed at the Soers three times already, has won the qualifier three times, taken part in the jump-off three times, but still hasn’t picked up the gold rosette yet. Hannes took it lightly: “Perhaps next year.” And then the experience will be even more prestigious, because the German U25 Trophy Final is being staged during the World Championships in Aachen.

This proximity to the best riders in the world is one of the reasons that makes the final in Aachen so special, confirmed all three riders. Among others, because it gives them the opportunity to learn from the professionals, as Johanna Beckmann explained, “from the arrival to the departure – regarding both riding expertise and all the management aspects. Her summary of the weekend: “I am super happy with Emelie and myself. Now, I can take a look at it all in my own time without any pressure.”

The national coach, Otto Becker, stated that it is a “blessing” for aspiring riders that the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein gives the young talents the opportunity to gather experience in front of such a setting and under such pressure, which not all of the riders coped well with today. Particularly the open water ditch caused problems. The national coach’s recommendation: “ride more accurately”.

CHIO Aachen’s Head of Sport, Birgit Rosenberg, was delighted that the winner and runners-up are shining example for Aachen’s concept of accompanying the youths on their way into top sport. “It is fantastic to see that you are taking the next step towards the Aachen Youngstars!” “After this demanding class we know that we don’t have to worry about the future of the show jumping sport,” she added.

The best example of how well the concept works is Richard Vogel – winner of the final in 2021 for the third time, third in the Rolex Grand Prix in 2024 and member of the German team at the Olympic Games.