On Thursday, the first Holstein State Champions of 2026 were crowned. Valerie Gold (cover photo) and Gatsby trotted their way to the title in their respective age groups.
The new champion among the five-year-old dressage horses is by Viva Gold and Roadster. Nazila Natscha Lotz presented the Oldenburg mare, bred by Carolin Heyser. With a final score of 8.04, the pair took the top spot in the field.
Second place went to Ingrida YD by In my Mind-Donnerschwee, bred by Tim-Philipp Reer. Markus von Holdt was in the saddle of the Oldenburg mare. Their score was 7.76. The bronze medal (7.44) went to a Holsteiner. Roland Metzler presented Franco by Fürst Zonik PS-Cascadello I, bred by Christina Trauffer.
Gatsby by Galaxy and Carolin Heyser
The State Championship for six-year-old dressage horses was decided in a Class M dressage test. Carolin Heyser claimed this title with her home-bred Gatsby (OLD) by Galaxy-Roadster. The pair recorded a score of 7.56. Jasmin Ulonska-Weiss secured silver (7.16) with the Trakehner stallion Lancelot Selso by Ivanhoe-Sixtus (Stutteri Selsov/J Haubroe). The Holsteiner mare Nikita by Zackery-Damon, bred by the Sudeck Breeding Association and Anna Metzler, took third place (7.02) in the championship.
Photos: Janne Bugtrup
