Anna Schölermann Wins 2025 Piaff Forderpreis Selection Trial, Sixteen Qualified for Show Circuit

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2025 Piaff Förderpreis

Anna Schölermann became the winner of the 2025 Piaff Forderpreis selection trial in Warendorf on 25 March 2025. Sixteen combinations are now invited to compete on the circuit with 20 horses.

The Piaff Forderpeis is show circuit for German Under 25 riders consisting of four qualifiers (Mannheim, Balve, Elmlohe, and Pinneberg) and a finals in Donaueschingen on 18 - 21 September 2025.

Seminar in Warendorf

In order to be considered for the circuit, candidates had to go to Warendorf for the official selection event. There the pairs were coached by team trainer Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen and the next day had to ride the Short Grand Prix as qualifier. This year's competition was judged by Evi Eisenhardt, Katrina Wüst, and Elke Ebert.

This year the 12 highest ranked combinations in the competition class were directly qualified for the finals, and this alongside the U25 squad listed riders who are automatically eligible.

Schölermann Wins

The qualifier was won by Anna Schölermann aboard the 11-year old Danish warmblood bred Springborgs Guardian (by Hotline x Furst Romancier). The pair posted the high score of the day, 70.504%, although her individual marks went from 68.721% to 71.977%. Guardian is owned by Wolfgan and Beate Kindler.

The runner-up is Selina Söder aboard her recently acquired international Grand Prix horse Vita di Lusso, a 10-year old Rhinelander by Vitalis x Weltano. She stayed right on Schölermann's heels with 70.349%. Her individual scores were also between 68.9% and 71.9%.

The top three was completed by Franziska Haase aboard the more experienced 17-year old Hanoverian De Nino (by Don Schufro x Sandro Hit). She finished o, 69.109% but had the judges, three of Germany's most experienced international dressage judges, divided. Haase finished between 1st and 11th place with scores from 71.628% to 66.047%

Interestingly the fourth place went to Ann-Cathrin aboard the 11-year old pony (!!) Steendieks Derrick (by Morgenstern Dalai x Donnertraum). She posted 68.372%. Henriette Schmidt, a former German junior and young riders' team member in 2019 and 2020 on Rocky's Sunshine, completed the top five with 67.984%. She saddled the 16-year old Oldenburg bred Freundschaft (by Florencio x Donnerhall).

Results - 2025 Piaff Förderpreis Qualifier in Warendorf

Judges: Dr. Evi Eisenhardt, Katrina Wüst, Elke Ebert

1. Anna Schölermann - Springborgs Guardian - 70.504% (Germany)
2. Selina Söder - Vita di Lusso - 70.349% (Germany)
3. Franziska Haase - De Nino - 69.109% (Germany)
4. Ann-Cathrin Rieg - Steendieks Derrick - 68.372% (Germany)
5. Henriette Schmidt - Freundschaft 2 - 67.984% (Germany)
6. Emma Caecilia Lienert - Windermere J'Obei W - 67.868% (Germany)
7. Katharina Schuster - Qence L - 67.403% (Germany)
8. Rose Oatley - Huan - 67.326% (Germany)
9. Selina Söder - Grey Lamberto - 67.248% (Germany)
10. Henri Schamburg - DSP Donna Karan - 66.822% (Germany)
11. Leonie Ottmar - Don Horatio - 66.395% (Germany)
12. Theresa Friesdorf - Ferdinand 334 - 66.124% (Germany)
13. Nane Grunwald - Don Casati - 65.853% (Germany)
14. Sophia Ritzinger - Immerdale - 65.775% (Germany)
15. Theresa Nabbefeld - Devalero - 65.659% (Germany)
16. Charlotte Rühl - Hove's Zako - 64.729% (Germany)
17. Fiona Serafina Lukas - Aragorn T - 63.915% (Germany)
18. Paul Löcher - Soul Men - 63.760% (Germany)
19. Hendrik Baumgart - Dreamliner 5 - 63.411% (Germany)
20. Louisa Deutschbauer - Hanami OLD - 62.054% (Germany)

Complete scores here

Invited to compete on the 2025 Piaff Forderpreis show circuit are:

Luca Collin - Ferrero D
Helen Erbe - Carlos FRH
Theresa Friesdorf - Ferdinand
Franziska Haase - De Nino
Felicitas Hendricks - Drombusch OLD
Emma Lienert - Windermere J’Obei W
Rose Oatley - Huan
Leonie Ottmar - Don Horatio
Ann-Cathrin Rieg - Steendiecks Derrick
Henri Schamburg - Donna Karan
Henriette Schmidt - Freundschaft
Anna Schölermann - Springborgs Guardian and Bon Scolari
Katharina Schuster - Qence L
Selina Söder - Vita du Lusso and Grey Lamberto
Moritz Treffinger - Cadeau Noir, Fiderdance and Morricone
Elisabeth von Wulffen - Triple A