Brits take on Aachen Dressage Youngstars

Three British youth riders travelled to the Aachen Dressage Youngstars competition, beginning the festive season in fashion at Germany's iconic venue (6 - 8 December 2024). 

Sofia Games (pictured) and Leslie Forlee's Boccelli 6 (Belissimo M x Riccione) continue to grow as a combination and enjoyed a super outing to Aachen, returning home with a personal best score for their best performance of the week in the Junior Freestyle competition. For their music test, Sofia and Boccelli earned a super score of 73.342% to deliver them sixth position amongst some of Europe's brightest stars in this age category. The Aachen Dressage Youngstars competition is a real highlight in the calendar and gives young riders a taste of the big time, including judge commentary to summarise their tests, as we see at events such as the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses. Nicole Nockemann (H - GER) commented on Sofia's test, saying "Congrats on your really nice test, I loved watching and judging it because it's really good when we get to see what you want to show us. It was really precise and there was a really good structure to this freestyle. There was plenty for us to give marks and remarks on with the lovely combinations in your freestyle. We can see that your training at home is also in a good way because you can show the extended and lateral movements together really well." Sofia was visibly delighted after hearing the judge comments and seeing her score, as well as being pleased with her other results throughout the week where she placed eighth twice in the Team and Individual competitions; on social media Sofia said, "My Christmas present came early! What a stunning arena with a beautiful atmosphere to ride in."

SportsAid One-to-Watch award nominee Lily Laughton produced two top ten performances with Alicia Laughton's Ampere-sired mare Hulana T, with the pair signing off their time in the Young Rider category in Aachen. Their top placing came in the Individual test, where they earned seventh place with 68.186% before going on to score 69.533% in the Freestyle competition. Lily commented, "So proud of Hulana this week. Very happy to get through to the final among some of the best combinations, to place ninth overall. I couldn't have wished for a better competition to finish my time in Young Riders with the most special horse who has given me so much this season."

British Children on Horses European gold medallist Ella-Grace Dovey returned to the arena with the 11-year-old Sheepcote Jackson (by Johnson), as the duo made their first ever appearance at the Youngstars event. The combination produced two superb performances in hot competition to earn seventh (74.375%) and fifth (74.783%) in their Team and Individual tests. 

Results - top three and British placings

CDIY Young Riders Team Test
1. Yasmin Westerink and Amphitryon OLD, 70.686% (NED)
2. Alix Von Borries and Feingefühl, 70.588% (GER)
3. Celestine Kindler and Quotenkönig 2, 70.196% (GER)
11. Lily Laughton and Hulana T, 67.745% (GBR)

CDIY Young Riders Individual Test 
1. Alix Von Borries and Feingefühl, 70.980% (GER)
2. Yasmin Westerink and Amphitryon OLD, 69.951% (NED)
3. Jette De Jong and Heavenly Charming, 69.069% (BEL)
7. Lily Laughton and Hulana T, 68.186% (GBR)

CDIY Young Riders Freestyle Test
1. Celestine Kindler and Quotenkönig 2, 74.717% (GER)
2. Maike Springmeier and Sempre Meo, 73.533% (GER)
3. Lena Merkt and Sarotti Mocca-Sahne, 73.500% (GER)
10. Lily Laughton and Hulana T, 69.533%

CDIJ Junior Team Test
1. Lilly Marie Collin and Famous K FRH, 73.232% (GER)
2. Clara Cordes Arnkjaer and Brianna, 71.616% (DEN)
3. Clara Paschertz and For Gold OLD, 70.404% (GER)
8. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 67.626% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Individual Test
1. Lilly Marie Collin and Famous K FRH, 74.069% (GER)
2. Clara Cordes Arnkjaer and Brianna, 70.882% (DEN)
3. Martha-Sophia Pickers and Ferri Rousseau, 70.784% (GER)
8. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 68.186% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Freestyle Test
1. Lilly Marie Collin and Famous K FRH, 76.083% (GER)
2. Clara Cordes Arnkjaer and Brianna, 76.000% (DEN)
3. Clara Paschertz and For Gold OLD, 75.883% (GER)
6. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 73.342% (GBR)

CDICh Children Team Test
1. Alice Hubackova and Versailles 8, 78.675% (CZE)
2. Britt Kikkert-van der Linde and Jerenzo Texel, 78.075% (NED)
3. Matilde Manzato and Fine Boy 10, 78.000% (ITA)
7. Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 74.375% (GBR)

CDICh Children Individual Test
1. Alice Hubackova and Versailles 8, 77.838% (CZE)
2. Floor Kulik and Bella Rosa, 77.806% (NED)
3. Matilde Manzato and Fine Boy 10, 76.125% (ITA)
5. Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 74.783% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS