Europe’s highest prize-money young horse show has begun

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With the first qualifying class for five-year-olds on Thursday morning, the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters – Europe’s highest prize-money show for young jumping horses – got underway at Holger Hetzel’s equestrian facility in Goch, Rhineland. No fewer than 37 horse-and-rider combinations kept their chances of qualifying for Sunday’s final in this age category alive with clear rounds.

Friday promises to be particularly exciting, with qualifying classes in all three age groups – five-, six-, and seven- to eight-year-olds – starting at 7:30 a.m. These will determine the line-up for the finals on Saturday (six-year-olds) and Sunday (five-, seven- and eight-year-olds). The prize money for the final of the seven- and eight-year-olds has been raised to an impressive €100,000 this year. Finalists in the six-year-old division will be competing for a purse of €50,000, while the five-year-olds will be battling it out for €25,000 in prize money.

 

New this year is the collaboration between the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters and the Al Shira’aa Bundeschampionate, which will take place from September 2 to 7 in Warendorf, Westphalia. This innovative partnership between two top-level events introduces, for the first time, a highly lucrative special ranking titled “Youngster of the Year,” open to five- to seven-year-old show jumping horses of German breeding.

The horse with the highest combined score from both final competitions will be awarded the title “Youngster of the Year” in its age group. In the event of a tie, the result from the Al Shira’aa Bundeschampionate will serve as the deciding factor. The owners of the most successful horses will receive prize money of €2,500 for the best five-year-old, €5,000 for the best six-year-old, and €7,500 for the best seven-year-old. The awards ceremony will take place during the Al Shira’aa Bundeschampionate in Warendorf.

In addition to top-level sport, the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters also offer visitors an exceptionally attractive supporting programme. A highlight is the Flanders Foal Auction, where 30 highly promising foals with elite international pedigrees will go under the hammer. Following the presentation of the foals on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., the auction will begin at 8:00 p.m.

Also new to the programme is the “Arena Cup” hosted by Polo Park Heisterfeldshof. Three international polo teams will compete on the venue’s large grass arena, with two matches taking place on both Friday and Sunday. And best of all: Admission is free on all days. Event organiser Holger Hetzel explains, “On the one hand, we want to provide ideal conditions for horses and riders, and on the other, we want every equestrian enthusiast to have the opportunity to experience this truly exceptional event.”