As the Al Shira’aa National Championships come to a close, there is yet another special reason for Oldenburg to celebrate: Hardy was named “Youngster of the Year,” while our delegate, Sandra Auffarth, received one of the highest honors in German equestrian sports.

Hardy, OS, born in 2020, by Hickstead White out of Goldstück JM by Goldfever I, bred by Susanne Bury of Lahr and trained by Reinhard Schill, who placed fifth, was named “Youngster of the Year.” The special classification for successful young show jumpers will be awarded for the second time in 2026 as part of the collaboration between the Hetzel Young Horse Masters and the Al Shira’aa National Championships. The results of the final competitions at both events are factored into the classification.

Sandra Auffarth also received a special honor. The successful eventing and show jumping rider and delegate of the Show Jumping Horse Breeders’ Association was named “Reitmeisterin.” As the youngest rider to date to receive this honor, she was awarded a title that ranks among the highest distinctions in German equestrian sports. Auffarth won Olympic and World Championship gold medals with the German team in eventing and also claimed individual gold at World and European Championships.

There was also another welcome success outside of Warendorf: At the National Championship for seven-year-old driving horses in Moritzburg, Easy-E by Escamillo – Foundation, driven by Antonio Wehe in a single-horse carriage, secured the title of National Vice-Champion. The breeder of the gelding, born in 2019, is Marco Trier of Schlitz; the owners are Antonio and Julia Wehe.

Photo: Hardy & Alexander Schill ©Beelitz