German Johanne Pauline von Danwitz has become a rising star in Germany now that she has infiltrated the junior riders division. A successful pony rider at national level, Von Danwitz is now hitting the big league since she stepped aboard experienced German YR team horse Habitus. One to keep your eye on, Johanne won the 2013 Preis der Besten for juniors, which serves as major qualification trial for the European JR/YR Championships.
Claiming victory in the 2013 Preis der Besten on 10 - 12 May 2013, 17 year-old Johanne Pauline von Danwitz and Habitus took out the qualification round and the finals with 72.432% and 71.947%. "It was such a great feeling to do this competition with Habitus," said Johanne. "He is an excellently trained horse with a big personality and our connection proved immediately."
Starting off riding ponies at the age of seven, Johanne spent many years training and educating several ponies with team Gestüt Bönniger. "In 2011 I moved from ponies to horses and onto my experienced horse Questro, whom I trained with coach Nadine Kauschke. Questro taught me everything up to M- and S-level and helped me to perform the exercises as easily as possible."
Her new star horse Habitus is a 16 year-old Hanoverian gelding by Hohenstein x /Weltmeyer but Johanne also has some other exciting horses in training. “Schleypen is my up-and-coming horse and is a very talented 6 year-old mare by Rock Forever x Weinberg. She won the bronze medal at the 2010 Bundeschampionate and it is fun to see her developing for our common future."
Aiming to qualify the 5 year-old pony stallion Helios B and the 6 year-old pony stallion Belissimo HS for the 2014 Bundeschampionate, Johanne is already looking forward to a bright 2014 with her new coach Louisa Lüttgen. "At the end of 2012 I got the great opportunity to ride Habitus and to train with Louisa Lüttgen and so far I have enjoyed my time with both of them and, really, with the whole "Habitus team"," said von Danwitz.
After a debut success in Kronberg early in the year, the pair went on a journey taking them to Preis der Besten in Warendorf and Johanne feels this competition was one of the greatest highlights of her career. "To be part of the best Junior Riders of Germany is, of course, for any rider a dream come true and a very important turning point in a rider’s career," she explained.
By winning the overall gold medal in Warendorf, Johanne and Habitus were also recommended to compete at the next German team selection trial held during the CDI Wiesbaden on 18 - 20 May 2013. The pair swept the team test with 73.946% and the kur with 76.85% leaving all competition far behind her.
"To ride such an extraordinary horse is an extreme stroke of luck for me. Habitus has an exceptional manner, is perfectly trained and educated and has always the "right attitude to his rider and to work", so it is a great pleasure for me to be part of "Habitus team"," von Danwitz re-iterated.
Taking small steps at a time, von Danwitz has set as her next goal making a smooth transition to Young Riders' level.
Young Guns Profile
- Date of Birth: 16 July 1995
- Nationality: German
- Place of birth: Kempen
- Horoscope: Cancer
- Hobbies: Riding, Meeting my friends, Shopping etc..
- Personal Qualities: ambitious, determined and always in a good mood
- Favourite Book: Fifthy Shades of Grey
- Favourite Movie: Kokowääh 2
- Favourite Actor: Matthias Schweighöfer
- Favourite Music: the current charts,
Passenger
- Favourite Car: Range Rover
- Favourite Food: Italian food
Text by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © Barbara Schnell
Related Links
Photo Report: Rothenberger, Von Danwitz, Niemann Win 2013 Preis der Besten Title
Youth Riders Selected for 2013 Wiesbaden European Championship Selection Trial
Rothenberger, von Danwitz, Piotrowski Win 2013 Kronberg Preis der Besten Qualifier