“Yes, he’s such a teacher; he can now help Justus more than he can help me,” introduces Peter Jakob Thomsen his grey gelding Clooney. The son of Clarimo has just completed a clear round under his son in the first scoring test of the Children’s competition. “I have always said that I cannot let a horse like this leave the stable; we will never get another like him,” describes the showjumper from Lindewitt his success horse, with which he has collected numerous wins and placements in Grand Prix events. Earlier this year, Thomsen passed the reins to Justus. Clooney is the second family horse the 13-year-old has inherited from his father, after Holsteiner Colombo. The pairing matched perfectly from the start, but the Thomsen family did not yet expect a nomination for the European Championship after only a few months. “With Clooney, it’s just fun; he’s lovely to ride, always keeps his ears pricked, and fights for me in the course,” says Justus. “I wouldn’t have thought that it would go so well so quickly, but I’m happy to be here in Riesenbeck! I’m very pleased with the clear round today, and now let’s see what happens.”

High Five continues dreams

The now 13-year-old Dutch-bred mare High Five was actually supposed to compete at the World Championships 2022 for Austria in the senior category with her owner, Nina Kayser. However, just before the championship, the horse was injured, and the dream shattered. However, a tragedy for her mother turned into an opportunity for daughter Nina Houtzager, who is competing for the Netherlands. The 16-year-old took on High Five after a longer recovery period and the mare is now allowed to continue her career as a successful schoolmaster, a fact that is celebrated in the Houtzager-Kayser showjumping family. “This horse holds a very special place in my heart,” says Julia Kayser, who naturally supports her daughter as a coach and can offer valuable assistance. “High Five is easy to ride at shows because her attitude and character are extraordinary. At home, she can be more challenging because she is sensitive — just the way a sport horse should be.” High Five has developed into Nina’s top horse; both have started very well in the Junior age group at the European Championships, and her former rider is understandably proud: “I’m very happy for the horse. She doesn’t want to stand around in the paddock just yet.” The second career phase of High Five has just begun, and it could be a long time before she retires to the field…

Successful firsts with Goja

18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Borho Giron also competes in the Junior division. This is already his fifth European Championship participation; in 2024, he won silver with the team. His partner in Riesenbeck is already 19 years old: Goja was brought into the big sport by Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann. For nine years, the duo enjoyed international success, with countless Five-Star victories and placements, as well as gold in the Nations Cup final and a win in the Riders Tour. In 2022, the gelding, by Wandor van de Mispelaere, left the stable of the German rider and became a schoolmaster for the then 14-year-old Carlos Borho. “Goja enjoys the warmth, likes big arenas, and loves a hack on the beach in Oliva Nova. I will visit him often and cheer for the new pair,” explained Meyer-Zimmermann her stable star’s departure at that time. The move proved to be a real stroke of luck for the young rider. Carlos Borho competed with Goja in his first 1.50 m show jumping event and also his first Three-Star competition. Two weeks ago, they achieved a double-clear round in the CSI2* Grand Prix in Rotterdam (NED). They will continue their success story in the second scoring test of the Juniors.