Fifteen-year old Semmieke Rothenberger wrote history at the 2015 Preis der Besten, the inofficial German youth riders championships in Warendorf, Germany on 8 - 10 May, by winning the pony and junior riders' division in a clean sweep of four classes. Young rider new comer Jil-Marielle Becks claimed the young riders' division but it wasn't smooth sailing as she faced strong competition from Bianca Nowag.
Unbeatable Pony Pair, Semmieke Rothenberger and Deinhard B
The ruling European pony champion Semmieke Rothenberger is also the force to be reckoned with in Germany. With the 16-year old Deinhard B (by Dornik B x Golden Dancer), Rothenberger won both rounds with 79.188% and 77.114%. The silver medal went to Semmieke's cousin, 15-year old Nadine Krause on the 12-year old Danilo (by Dornik B x Power Boy). She finished second twice with 76.068% and 75.650% and also claimed the third spot aboard her second pony Cyrill. Only one pony counts for the podium so the bronze medal went to the 14-year old Rhinelander based Linda Erbe on Dujardin B (by Deinhard B). Erbe scored 70.885% and 71.463%.
German pony team trainer Connie Endres was very pleased with the results. "Deinhard is in fantastic form, he's very elastic and athletic. This pair produces extraordinary presentations in their final year at pony level. Nadine Krause has two irons in the fire with Danilo and Cyrill and she produced superior rides. Linda does a really great job. Dujardin's highlight is the canter tour.
The Preis der Besten is an important German team qualifier for the European Pony Championships. Twelve pairs will be invited to the selection trial in Wiesbaden in two weeks, followed by the CDIO Hagen.
"I saw many great young pairs with persepective," said Endres. "For instance the 12-year old Julia Barbian and her 7-year old Der Kleine König, who were already successful at the Bundeschampionate and now finished seventh. This is the perfect way to international pony sport."
Rothenberger Goes for a Double Whammy, Junior Gold
Twenty minutes after riding her winning final round on Deinhard B, Semmieke was on board of her 13-year old Danish warmblood mare Geisha (by Gribaldi) and won her second ride in the junior division to claim gold once again. Geisha, who Semmieke has been riding since July 2014, scored 73.838% and 74.684% for the overall victory. The silver medal went to the 16-year old Paulina Holzknecht who has been riding the Schmitz-Heinen family's 12-year old Hanoverian Wells Fargo. She scored 70.189% and 71.500% for two second places. The bronze went to the 17-year old Alexa Westendarp on the 8-year old Hanoverian Der Prinz (by Diamond Hit). She was third in the first round with 70.054% and fourth in the finals with 70.42%.
German junior rider team trainer Hans Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen commented that "Geisha is very secure in the movements and has high quality basic gaits. Wells Fargo is a very experienced horse with much expression, which Paulina can show off optimally. This young rider has a heap of ambition to win and is very dedicated in the area with her positive and fresh style. Alexa has already been successful with other horses but with this horse she has really made a combination. Der Prinz is very secure in the contact and exercises. Their rides were nice and fluent."
The next step for German juniors to qualify for the team for the 2015 European Junior Riders Championships are Wiesbaden, where 12 will compete, and then Balve, where the best 8 will compete against each other.
Becks Wins Young Riders' Title but Gets Competition from Nowag
At the Preis der Besten qualifier in Vechta in April, Jil Marielle Becks and her Grand Prix team horse Damon Hill were untouchable with 80% scores. Facing heavier competition in Warendorf, the new comer to the level still produced very strong rides that earned her the title, but she had Bianca Nowag on her heels.
The 17-year old Becks won the first round with 76.132% and was second in the finals with 73.368%. The silver medal went to 20-year old Bianca Nowag on the 11-year old Fair Play RB (by Fidermark) who scored 72.895% in round 1 and outclassed Becks in the finals with 76.026%. The 20-year old Claire Louise Averkorn and her Hanoverian gelding Condio B (by Contendro I) were good for bronze after scoring 70.632% and 71.421%.
"Jil-Marielle and Damon Hill were in harmony from the start and bring an exceptional basis for the sport into the arena," said Meyer zu Strohen. "Jil's strienght is her concentration and stress-tolerance. She has a strong focus ahead. Bianca rode a secure test (in the first round) and was spectacular (in the finals). She got every point out of it. Claire really relied on her routine and really improved in the finals. She was precise and in harmony."
Twelve young riders will move to the next team selection trial in Wiesbaden.
by Tina Pantel, translated and edited by Eurodressage
Photos © Mirka Nilkens
Related Links
Scores 2015 Preis der Besten
Laabs, Westendarp, Biermann, Becks Win 2015 Preis der Besten Qualifier in Vechta
Rothenberger, Abbelen, Niemann Win 2015 Preis der Besten Qualifier in Kronberg
Previous Winners, Eurodressage Coverage since 1999
Rothenberger, Abbelen, Rothenberger Win 2014 Preis der Besten
Photo Report: Rothenberger, Von Danwitz, Niemann Win 2013 Preis der Besten Title
Rothenberger, Niemann, Schurmann Win 2012 Preis der Besten
Linnemann, Schutte, Luttgen Win 2011 Preis der Besten
Photo Report: Krieg, de Ridder and Lutkemeier 2010 Preis der Besten Champions
Rothenberger Kids and Sieber Win 2009 Preis der Besten
Photo Report: 2008 Preis der Besten
Photo Report: 2007 Preis der Besten
Photo Report: 2006 Preis der Besten
Scores: 2004 Preis der Besten
Scores: 2003 Preis der Besten
Scores 2002 Preis der Besten
Torloxten and Giesen In the Picture at 2001 Preis der Besten
Scores: 2000 Preis der Besten
Kroncke, Kroncke and Maiwurm Win 1999 Preis der Besten