Kenya Schwierking Bids Young Riders Division Farewell, Preparing for U25

Dressage

Germany

The 21-year old Kenya Schwierking is saying farewell to the Young Riders division having reached the age limit. She celebrated the end of her YR career by receiving the Golden Rider Badge and is now looking forward to the future.

Schwierking grew up amongst horses with her father Arndt and mum Silke being well known stallion rearers and horse dealers. She represented Germany at the 2018 and 2019 European Children Championships on Dinos Boy (by Del Piero x Falkland) and 2021 European Junior Riders Championships on Cecil (by Bordeaux x Alabaster).

A Striking Last Young Rider Year

Aboard the 13-year old Dutch warmblood Imani (by Totilas x Clavecimbel), Schwierking was in the running for a team spot for the 2026 European Young Riders Championships. Her 9th overall place at the 2026 Preis der Besten in Warendorf earned her a starting place at the second German team selection trial in Hagen during the CDIO Future Champions.

In Hagen Kenya and Imani delivered an impressive performance winning all three CDI-tour classes. Her team test score was 70.765% and her individual test score was 70.353%.

Schwierking, however, was not chosen on the German team, which raised eye-brows. Instead team selection picked Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel on Escalla OLD and Marie Sohler on Askehavens Beau Sancy. Baumgurtel was 6th at the Preis der Besten and in Hagen finished second behind Schwierking with 70.676% in the team test. In the individual test Baumgurtel was 6th 67.882% . Sohler rode the CDIO tour in Hagen after a fourth place at the Preis der Besten. She scored 68.883% in the team test (6th) and 70.618% (2nd) in the individual test.

When asked why she did not get selected on the team, Kenya replied diplomatically, "there were disagreements regarding the nomination for the European Championship, because I decided to ride the tests in a bridle (snaffle)."

Kenya was expected to compete at the German Young Riders Championships in Zeiskam on 11 - 13 September 2026 but did not show up. She explained her absence in Zeiskam to Eurodressage as following: "I decided to finish my Young Rider tour with my hattrick at the Future Champions."

Golden Lining

The autumn did bring a golden lining for the rider though as on Saturday 3 October Kenya became the recipient of the Golden rider badge at the Oldenburg autumn elite auction in Vechta. The badge is bestowed upon riders who have achieved 10 victories at S-level at at least five different shows.

In April 2025 Kenya was submitted to the "Talent Pool" of the German Equestrian Foundation and since then receives support from mentor Dr. Christina Schmitz-Morkramer

Living at a professional yard in Barver (GER), Kenya has plenty of horses to ride. This year she's also been competing Cecil at intermediaire II level alongside young horses Denia del Sol (2022, by Despacito x Ampere), Souri (2022, by So Perfect x Sandro Hit), Savini (2021, by So Perfect x Furstenball), and So Fine (2022, by So Perfect x AC-DC).

"My goal is definitely to compete in U25," Kenya told Eurodressage. "Cecil has already achieved her first placing at the S*** level. With Imani, I will competing in the international small tour, while continuing to train for Grand Prix. If everything works out, I will try to qualify for the Piaff Förderpreis."