Katrin Eckermann Claims a Double Victory

The first major sporting highlight of the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters, the world's richest show for young jumping horses, took place on Saturday with the €50,000 final for six-year-old show jumping horses at Holger Hetzel's equestrian centre in Goch, Germany.

A total of 43 horses had qualified for the prestigious final over the previous two days. Ten of them produced faultless first rounds to earn a place in the jump-off, which delivered a dramatic finish.

Until the final combination entered the arena, Pheline Ahlmann (GER) and the Oldenburg gelding Chacco Minelli appeared to have secured victory after stopping the clock at 56.44 seconds without penalties. However, last to go was Katrin Eckermann (GER) aboard Forfly, a Westphalian son of For the Future bred by her father, Ottmar Eckermann. Eckermann delivered a brilliant clear round in 54.42 seconds to claim the first championship title of the 2026 Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters.

Third place went to Lucas Wenz (GER) with Union City, who finished on four penalties in 48.29 seconds.It was already Eckermann's second victory of the day. Earlier, she had won the second qualifier for the seven- and eight-year-old horses with the Hanoverian mare Chacoona Cat, a daughter of Chacoon Blue bred by Friedel Cordes. After also winning the first qualifier on Friday, Eckermann once again proved unbeatable, producing a faultless round in 63.68 seconds.

Second place in Saturday's qualifier went to Alexa Stais (CYP) with Chacord GB, another offspring of Chacoon Blue, in 65.47 seconds, while reigning European Champion Richard Vogel (GER) finished third aboard Quelle Mademoiselle in 66.25 seconds, also without penalties.

The final day of competition on Sunday will feature the €100,000 final for the seven- and eight-year-old horses as well as the €25,000 final for the five-year-olds, bringing the 2026 Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters to an exciting conclusion.