Germany's Leni-Sophie Gosmann secured the individual gold medal by winning the individual test at the 2026 European Pony Championships in Le Mans, France, on Saturday 1 August 2026. She was joined on the podium by Danish Filipa Jaeger Jensen and German Lilly Kasselmann.
The Heat is On
The 2026 Pony Europeans are taking place for the third time at equestrian center Pole Europeen du Cheval after its premier in 2023 and second edition in 2025. The heat has been on the entire week with hot summer temperatures forcing the organizers to take siesta breaks in the middle of day. Classes therefore ran early in the morning and continued in the late afternoon,.
The competition this year kicked off with the team championship competition, in which Germany won team gold medal. The battle then continued on Friday and Saturday with the individual test spread out over two days. The Saturday riders had to beat the heat though, as group 2 went from noon till 16:25 pm. The thermometer measured 27 c today.
Friday turned out to be decisive for the individual medal podium because all top three place-getters competed in the first group yesterday and none of the group 2 riders were able to push them off the podium. The test was judged by Sandrine Trimborn, Mats Eriksson, Janine van Twist, Kirsten Søgård, Thomas Keßler
Finally Gold for Gosmann
For Leni-Sophie Gosmann these Europeans were her third consecutive on the 10-year old buckskin Diamantini (by Diamond Touch x FS Pavarotti), who is bred by German based Brit Elisabeth Ahn-Ballies. after securing team gold on Thursday and winning the team test, the pair continued on a winning form in the individual test. She and the buckskin stallion scored 75.567% which none of her rivals was able to beat. The spread in her scores went from 73.919% (Eriksson - 6th) to 76.486% (Van Twist - 1st).
For the 16-year old Gosmann it was finally individual gold after Kur bronze in 2024 and double silver in 2025. She also won the 2024 German pony champion. In 2025 she won silver at the Nationals. Leni is in her last year on ponies and already has First Class lined up to make the transition onto horses with. Leni trains with Stefanie Wittmann.
Silver for Jaeger Jensen
Filippa is the daughter of Danish Grand Prix professional Betina Jaeger, who rode for Team Denmark at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, and already stepping into her mother's footsteps as a semi-professional rider. These are her third consecutive Europeans on three different ponies. She won double team bronze in 2024 and 2025 on Crown Charm Of Royal and Top Vincento. This year she got the ride on Katharina Göhler and Winfried Liesenfeld's Sir Sansibar and won team and individual silver so far.
Bronze for Lilly Kasselmann
German Lilly Kasselmann piloted the very experienced 15-year old pony Nasdaq (by Nemax x Don't Worry) to a third place in the individual test, good for bronze. She got the personal best score of 74,919% with marks ranging between 3.514% (Van Twist - 5th) - and 77.162% (Eriksson - 1st).
Nasdaq is the 2020 and 2025 European Pony Champion with previous riders Lucie-Anouk Baumgurtel and Maya Wachter, and is now proving his worth with Lilly. She trains with Insa Hansen and her parents.
"Nashi was incredible today," Lily said after her test. "I never had such a good feeling. Unfortunately we had a little misunderstanding today which was very expensive, but I'm still so proud of him."
Two to Rule them All
A look at the top ranking in the individual test was more of the same: Germany and Denmark ruling the test as riders from these two nations covered the six highest places, as well as the 9th spot. One Dutch rider (Fabienne Raijmakers - 7th) and two Swedes (Wilma Holmgren and Amelia Lilliehook - 8th and 10tg) were able to work themselves into the top ten.
"It was very hot and I got overheated (after the team test), but Cosi was a true gentleman and helped me all the way," Steffanie said about her pony. "He is the biggest sweetheart ever."
German Victoria Winkmann and the 15-year old palomino Peach (by Pilatus x Parino B) completed the top five after posting a PB on 74.432%. Winkmann represented Germany two years ago at the 2024 European Children Championships on Black of White Bordeaux before focusing fully on her pony Peach.
The 2026 European Pony Championships come to a conclusion on Sunday with the Kur to Music finals.
Photos © Digishots - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED
Related Links
Scores: 2026 European Pony Championships
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2026 European Pony Championships