By ILSE SCHWARZ
VERDEN, Germany, Aug. 9, 2026–Harmony and power with balance and relaxation is how I think I can summarize both the winner and reserve champion at the World Young Horse Championships Sunday.
Einfach Imposant B by Escolar x Westernhagen 15 , ridden beautifully by Kira Laura Soddermann of the Netherlands, convincingly won the 5-year-old World Championship. He already won the preliminary final earlier this week, but Sunday he was even more convincing in the quality, harmony and confidence. His Final test received 9.0 or higher for every component, the only test to do across all five days of competition in all age groups–trot 9.5, walk 9.0, canter 9.0, submission 9.3 and 9.5 for perspective for a total of 92.600%. A solid 3.2% ahead of reserve champion Global Armor OLD and Alexander Yde Helgstrand of Denmark who received 89.40%
From the moment Einfach Imposant B entered the arena he had a presence. A calm confidence that was mixed with power, suppleness, steadiness in the contact, the frame and the tempo. He showed great ground cover in the walk whilst remaining relaxed. His transitions in and out of the canter, were so balanced and soft. He showed the clear ability to collect and carry weight behind while still moving forwards.
I think his canter-walk transitions were clearly the most balanced over the whole class. The connection and partnership between Kira and her horse was palpable. He did have a small hiccup in the transition to trot from the canter, so the judging panel quipped, that “we have to take this into account for our submission score, and instead of 9.5 we award 9.3”.
Global Armour and Alexander also produced a composed, harmonious and steady test. Also with a nice connection and good transitions. There was a small loss of balance in the second counter canter, and there could have been maybe a little more lift in the medium canters. But there were no disruptions and he has super mechanics that work for future development. Alexander has only been riding him since April, so there isn’t quite that same feeling of a partnership yet.
In third place was the exquisite, feminine mare Weihe’s Happiness OLD who is by Dynamic Dream x Sir Donnerhall, ridden by Germany’s Alina Schneider. Breeder and owner, Christine Arns-Krogmann describes her as the modern version of legendary Weihegold that Isabell Werth rode to so many medals. Weihe’s Happiness is the grandaughter of the great mare and Alina has had the opportunity to ride Weihegold, too, and feels the similarity.
This little mare is just breathtaking. She covers the ground with great uphill power but such balance and poise. She has a very elastic walk with good ground cover and shoulder freedom. She did have one fairly large “5-year-old” moment in one counter canter and, although it never affected the suppleness of her topline or the way she moved, her mouth was frequently busy, drawing her tongue back indicating that the connection is still a work in progress. This very strongly affected the submission score (7.2). The judges way of underlining the importance of this component of development.
The head of the ground Jury, Sven-Gunter Rothenberger took his judging responsibility very seriously and really wanted to clarify what the panel was assessing when they give the score for perspective. It’s truly not about whether they are seeing a future Grand Prix horse. It’s more, do they see this horse progressing with success as it develops through the levels.
“It’s finding the balance between quality, precision, correct training, little problems and the future,” he explained.
“We are not trying to produce uniform horses , so we are embracing the variety as long as the quality and training is correct”
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kira Laura Soddemann (GER) Einfach Imposant B | 92.600% | ||||
| 2. | Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN) Global Amour OLD | 89.400% | ||||
| 3. | Alina Schneider (GER) Weihe’s Happiness OLD | 85.800% | ||||
| 4. | Ellen Richter (GER) DSP Lord Löwenherz von Bellin | 85.600% | ||||
| 5. | Phoebe Peters (GBR) McMary NRW | 84.800% | ||||
| 6. | Linnéa Holmgren (SWE) Buskhagas Sanjay | 83.800% | ||||
| 7. | Thomas Schulze (GER) Senza Parole F | 83.500% | ||||
| 8. | Merita Hagren (FIN) Chantal | 82.600% | ||||
| 9. | Saskia Gerrits – Poel (NED) Ready to Rumble | 82.000% | ||||
| 10. | Katrine Kraglund (DEN) Hamiltons Jazzmaster | 81.800% | ||||
| 11. | Thalia Rockx (NED) Rituals De La Fazenda | 79.400% | ||||
| 12. | Michael Grønne Christensen (DEN) Rahmoz Langholt | 79.200% | ||||
| 12. | Franka Loos (NED) Rose-Bel Taonga | 79.200% | ||||
| 14. | Joachim Thomsen (DEN) Soebakkehus Miss Malfoy | 74.400% | ||||
| 15. | Sadie Smith (GBR) Real Dream | 73.800% | ||||
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
