Osterhoff, Gosmann, Pohl, Baumgürtel Win 2025 Preis der Besten

Children rider Marielen Theresa Osterhoff, pony rider Leni Gosmann, junior rider Maria Teresa Pohl, and young rider Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel became the overall winners of their respective divisions at the 2025 Preis der Besten in Warendorf on 16 - 18 May 2025. 

Preis der Besten

Founded in 1973, the Preis der Besten (Prize of the Best) was established for young riders. Until 1994 the event took place indoors in Dortmund. The "PDB" expanded to show jumping and broadened to include junior riders. It took place in Munster-Handorf for two years before finding its permanent home in Warendorf.  In 2002 eventing became part of the PDB and in 2014 vaulting was added.

For dressage riders, the Preis der Besten is annually the first German team selection and observation trial for the 2025 European Youth Championships in the summer.  The second team qualifier will take place at the CDIO-PJYR Hagen "Future Champions" at Hof Kasselmann in June. 

Children: Marielen Theresa Osterhoff

The Children division featured many new faces and a brand new winner, Marielen Theresa "Leni" Osterhoff. Aboard the 10-year old Oldenburg mare Davina (by St. Schufro x Fidertanz) she placed second in round one (79,850%) and first in round 2 (80,074%) for the overall title.  The second place went to 2024 German Team rider Lynn Soddemann aboard the 10-year old Hanoverian Furst Schwarzenberg MT (by Furstenball x Stedinger). She won the first round with 81,475% but dropped to sixth place in round 2 (77,820%). After gaining experiene in Wellington, Florida, newcomer Lilly Kasselmann rode the 8-year old Oldenburg Vodka Soda (by Vitalis x Dimaggio) to a third place with 76,450% (3rd) and 78,135% (5th). The 11-year old Kasselmann also finished fifth in the pony division.

Caroline Roost, German children and pony team trainer, said, "I am very impressed and proud. We saw many new faces and a very high level. The children and horses were very well prepared, concentrated and focused. We supported the Children very closely this year as they entered the season and they all improved enormously. Of course, that is only possible with good cooperation with the home and regional trainers."

Pony Riders: Leni-Sophie Gosmann

Leni-Sophie Gosmann, last year's Children "PDB" winner and silver medal placed in the pony division, now ruled the roost in the pony division. Aboard her 2024 German European championship team pony Diamantini (by Diamond Touch x FS Pavarotti) she won both rounds with 74,513% and 75,341%. Maya Wächter and the Kasselmann family's 14-year old Nasdaq (by Nemax x Don't Worry) placed second with 74,154% (2nd) and 74,463% (3rd), whereas Madlin Tillmann landed third place, not on her 2024 team pony and European Champion Chilly Morning, but on her second ride, Mister Prime Time (by Movie Star x Hemmingway B). The pair scored 73,974 (3rd) and 74,537% (2nd).

"We're proud that we have a truly broad range of competitors and saw many great performances. In the end, it was a real thriller, and only nuances were decisive. Some riders in the starting field were really young, and some of the ponies were also young—but they all did really well. Overall, there were many interesting pairs with promise for the future," said Roost.

Junior Riders: Maria Teresa Pohl

In the junior division Maria Teresa Pohl claimed her second, consecutive Preis der Besten title, this time aboard her second junior horse, Diaton, who outclassed her number one, Lennox US with whom she rode on the German team at last year's European Junior Championships. Sourced at Hof Kasselmann, Diaton is a 9-year old Hanoverian by Dimaggio x Benetton Dream). The pair won both rounds with 72,324% and 73,553%. Pohl trains with Andrea Timpe.  Newcomer Ava Osing and the highly decorated WCYH silver medal winning stallion Vitalos (by Vitalis x De Niro) landed second place by being the runner-up twice with 71,973% and 72,474%. Osing trains with Kristy Oatley. The bronze went to Julie Schmitz-Heinen aboard the 8-year old Rhinelander Attractive (by AC-DC x Ehrentusch). They placed third twice with 71,432% and 71,789%.

"We saw a very strong field this year, with very high-quality horses and several new pairs," said a delighted German JR/YR team trainer Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen. "And we saw a deserving winning pair; they demonstrated very confident movements, and Diaton has outstanding basic gaits."

Young Riders: Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel

For the first time in her career Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel beat her elder sister Lucie-Anouk for a major title. Both sisters were neck-to-neck but Pinou prevailed with her long-time partner Emma, an 11-year old Westfalian by Escolar x Laurentianer.  They won the first round with 73,105% and were second in round 2 with 73,632% but had the highest overall score. Lucie-Anouk Baumgürtel placed second with her seasoned German team horse, the 13-year old KWPN bred Hugo (by Spielberg x San Remo). She was second in round 1 with 72,474% and won round two with 73,658%. The bronze went to Rose Oatley on her brand new ride, Gert Saborowski's Don Domingo (by Dimaggio x Don Davidoff). They were third with 70,947% and fifth with 70,474%. Oatley also rode a second horse in the PDB: Rock Revolution (by Rock Forever x Davignon), who made his long awaited come back after 2.5 years. The pair's last show was in October 2022 at the CDI Aarhus.

Last year's young rider winner and long-time German team rider, Allegra Schmitz-Morkramer, has been absent from shows this year. She's backpacking across the globe

The fact that these three  seasoned German youth team riders are at the top is no coincidence to national coach Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen. He believes it speaks volumes for the German system for promoting young riders. "I am absolutely delighted to be here this weekend. We have very good young riders and good quality horses, especially among the juniors. It was wonderful to see how the riders have developed their horses this weekend. The riders with well-trained horses were able to collect points and be successful."

Photos © Mirka Nilkens

Related Links
Scores: 2025 Preis der Besten
Combinations Announced for 2025 Preis der Besten

Previous Winners
Tillmann, Gosmann, Pohl, Schmitz-Morkramer Win 2024 Preis der Besten
Lohe, Mercker, Schmitz-Morkramer, Lang Win 2023 Preis der Besten
Raupach, Schmitz-Heinen, Schmitz-Morkramer, Baumgurtel Win 2022 Preis der Besten
Oatley, Paschertz, Baumgürtel, Collin Win 2021 Preis der Besten
Busch-Kuffner, Schmitz-Morkramer, Pistner, Rothenberger Win 2019 Preis der Besten
Baumgurtel, Schwierking, Erbe, Rothenberger Win 2018 Preis der Besten
Baumgurtel, Horstmann, Becks Win 2017 Preis der Besten
Schuster, Rothenberger, Becks Win 2016 Preis der Besten
Rothenberger and Becks Win 2015 Preis der Besten
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