This morning the NetAachen-Prize, an international jumping competition for aspiring young riders, went to the representative of a major dynasty of show-jumpers from this year’s CHIO partner country, Great Britain.

20 pairs from eleven nations took part in the NetAachen-Prize. The fastest of all participants in the 1.35-metre jumping competition against the clock was the 20-year-old British rider, Sienna Charles, with her French Diamant de Semilly son, Valkiry de Zance, who jumped clear in 68.35 seconds. Second and third place went to Belgium, to Evelyne Putters with her KWPN mare, Eye of the Tiger (68.89), followed by Thibault Philippaerts with Pompidou van Kuilenhof (69.54).

Charles? Philippaerts? These are famous names from the jumping scene. Sienna Charles‘ father, Peter, was a member of the British Olympic gold medallist team in London in 2012. Her older brother Harry – as well as diverse other highest level accomplishments  – came second with the British Nation’s Cup team last evening. Whether he is Sienna’s role model? She laughed: “I ought to say yes. But actually Malin Baryard-Johnsson is my idol.” She still successfully models her style and desire to win on the Swedish team Olympic gold medallist and World Champion today. It meant a great deal to her that she was able to demonstrate that here in Aachen: “I am very happy to be here. My horse jumped fantastically and it is a wonderful opportunity for us young riders to be able to compete here at one of the best shows in the world. So, many thanks to Aachen that they make this possible for us!”

The Belgian Philippaerts family is equally well-known. It used to be their father Ludo who caused a stir in Aachen. His elder sons, the twins Nicola and Olivier, rode side by side in the Belgian team that came third in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup yesterday evening. And this morning not only the 21-year-old Thibault cantered from the stadium with a ribbon for third place, but also his young brother Anthony (20), who came seventh with Orchidee van Dorperheide.

Further riders in the class that descend from famous equestrian families included for instance the Irish rider, Harry Allen, who finished fifth with Kumina Della Caccia. He is the younger brother of the championship rider, Bertram Allen. Or Max Merschformann from Germany, the German Junior Champion of 2022, whose father Markus claimed team gold at the European Championships in Mannheim in 1997 and who went on to become the national coach of the Juniors and Young Riders.