Belgian rider Elise van Os shines in the Prize of federal promotion of children dressage sports

Ranked third in the current world rankings and with a team silver medal from this year's European Championships in Le Mans, France, under her belt, Belgium's Elise van Os made the trip to Aachen. And early on Sunday morning, the 14-year-old was in top form in the saddle of her eight-year-old successful horse Reliv van 'T Amaryllishof. "That was my last competition in this age group today. I am very happy that it went so well," said Elise van Os after her harmonious and precise performance, which was rewarded by the jury with an impressive 77.454 percent. The reigning Belgian champion had set a benchmark in the Aachen sand that the following riders were unable to match.

When Lynn Sophie Soddemann entered the festively decorated Albert-Vahle arena as the final rider, there was already a little pressure on the 13-year-old's narrow shoulders. After all, as the winner of the previous day, the talented rider had the best chance of winning the coveted indoor championship sash presented by UVEX. But even as the supposed favorite, you still have to deliver. And that's exactly what the young talent did in the saddle of her six-year-old mare Fürstin Schufro GV, bred in Westphalia – incidentally, a daughter of Fürst Schwarzenberg MT, the horse with which the Westphalian rider was part of the gold medal team at last summer's European Championships in Le Mans, France. “That makes this horse all the more special to me, of course,” beamed Lynn Sophie Soddemann. “At just six years old, she was totally focused and did a great job for me in this really impressive setting.” And even though her score of 76.931 percent was not quite enough to beat Elise van Os's brilliant performance, it was enough to push her between the Belgian and Paula Kempkens from Germany (73.588%) in the second Children's competition and crown her as the Indoor Champion, presented by UVEX, in the Children's age group.

Photo: Jasmin Metzner

The winner of the Prize of federal promotion of children dressage sports, Elise van Os, is congratulated by Birgit Rosenberg (Member of the Managing Board of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein) and Jana Kun (Show Director,f.r.t.l.).