U25-DM Balve: Helen Erbe and Carlos FRH win at the start

For the second time, medals will also be awarded in the U25 age group in Balve. Last year there was a successful debut for the protégés of U25 national coach Sebastian Heinze. After the warm-up test, in which an Intermediaire II is ridden, two sets of medals will be awarded: first on Friday in the U25 Grand Prix and then on Saturday in the freestyle. Of last year's medal winners, only Raphael Netz is at the start this year. In 2021 he became runner-up with Elastico in the U25 Grand Prix, this year he competes with the Hanoverian Exclusive BB and secured third place with 71.790 percent. Before that, Alexa Westendarp placed with another horse from the Hanoverian Association, the black mare Four Seasons FRH. The couple scored 72,500 percent.

The reigning German champion in the U25 Grand Prix and silver medalist in the freestyle, Ann-Kathrin Lindner (Ilsfeld), is now 26 years old and has outgrown the age group. Likewise Ellen Richter (Bad Essen), who won gold in the freestyle with Vinay in 2021. Hannah Erbe (Krefeld) secured bronze in the U25 Grand Prix in 2021 and, tied with Ann-Kathrin Lindner, silver in the freestyle. Her partner in the ring was the Rhineland gelding Carlos FRH. While Hannah Erbe is now fully concentrating on her professional career, her younger sister Helen has taken over from Carlos in the saddle. There she now seamlessly follows on from the successes of her sister. In Mannheim, the two also won the first station of the Piaff sponsorship award for U25 dressage riders at the beginning of May.

"Like in Mannheim, Carlos confirmed his good form again today," said Sebastian Heinze. After the opening test in Balve, the national coach still saw potential for development in the coming days: “Everyone was still a bit nervous here and there and made a few mistakes. There were a few who were riding in German championships for the first time, so that's a different kind of tension. If they all ride again tomorrow, they will be a little more relaxed. That will continue to develop well over the days.” The riders are also aware that the Intermediaire II is also the team task at the European Junior Championships, which will take place in Hungary in August. The DM in Balve is the first sighting for the championship. "The riders want to hand in their business cards," says Heinze. “Those who think they have a chance towards the European Championship also know that people are looking closely here.”

Two failures in DM for seniors
The DM is also special for the U25 riders because they have the opportunity to observe the "big ones" in the test arena and on the warm-up arena and "take a look" at them. The seniors start the competition on Friday at 12 noon with the Grand Prix. The medals will be awarded on Saturday in the Grand Prix Special and on Sunday in the Freestyle. Originally, the field comprised thirteen participants. However, Semmieke Rothenberger (Bad Homburg) has already canceled due to an Achilles tendon injury. And Hubertus Schmidt will not compete either. He had to leave Balve due to adductor problems. jbc

All information about the German Championships in Balve, the schedule and the link to the results can be found at https://balve-optimum.de/