Could one imagine a nicer birthday than celebrating a victory at one’s debut in Aachen and that in your first year competing at advanced level? That dream came true for Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel today in the Prize of Liselott and Klaus Rheinberger Foundation.

In the Prize of Liselott and Klaus Rheinberger Foundation for Young Riders, first of all the riders perform the FEI individual test for the age group U21 and tomorrow a freestyle. Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel is not only making her debut appearance in Aachen, it is also her first season in the Young Riders age group. Whereby she has already won European Championship medals in all colours with her mare Emma. The pair have been together for a long time. “We bought Emma when she was young. She was a brood mare and I schooled her together with my trainer.” Obviously very successfully. The judges awarded the pair 70.823 percent, the best result of the day. And that on her 19th birthday. “I am delighted to be here and am so pleased to be able to compete here. And of course, it is absolutely amazing that we won,” said Lana-Pinou.

The only other pair that scored over 70 percent, were Kate Kyros and Intro K. Kyros is not very well-known in Germany. Which is hardly surprising because the 18-year-old comes from Australia and this is her first season in Europe. So, it was her first appearance in the Deutsche Bank Stadium as well. She was awarded 70.176 percent for her performance with her Apache son, Intro K.

Third place went to a well-known talented young rider from Denmark: the current U21 team European Champion, Sophia Ludvigsen (21), with Blue Hors Touch of Olympic L, on a score of 69.765 percent. It is Sophia’s last year as a Young Rider, but parallel to that she is also rides at Grand Prix level. It is also her premiere in Aachen. Her horse, Blue Hors Touch of Olympic L, is however familiar with the Deutsche Bank Stadium from previous performances with his trainer and former rider, Nanna Skodborg Merrald. The stallion was placed in the Small Tour last year, and before that won silver at the World Championship of the Young Horses with her.