Laura Kohoutek is the 2025 European Children Champion

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2025 European Children, Pony, Junior Riders Championships

German Laura Kohoutek is the 2025 European Children Champion after winning the individual test on the final day of competition at the 2025 European Pony, Children, and Junior Riders Championships in Le Mans, France.

The Children competition for kids aged 12 to 14 on horses, competing at L-level, consists of three parts: a preliminary test a warm-up, the team championship test for the nations' competition, and the individual test for the individual medals.

From Reserve to European Champion

The Individual final saw 13-year-old Laura Kohoutek (GER) and her 7-year old Hanoverian mare Shakeela (by Secret x Royal Blend) claim gold with a huge score of 83.219%. Kohoutek's performances in Le Mans were nothing short of impressive as the rider was not even selected on the team initially, but called up last minute to replace Greta Röwe. She became the anchor of the team, leading Germany to team gold with her top scoring ride in the team test (82.784%) and then collected individual gold on Sunday.

“I’m so proud of how she managed these days,” said Laura about Shakeela. “She’s only seven, so I can hardly believe we actually won here.”

The Kohoutek family purchased Shakeela in April 2025 from breeder and owner Wilfried Putz. The black mare was first shown by Lydia Jordan, finishing 19th in the 5-year old dressage horse finals at the Bundeschampionate and 8th in the 6-year old Finals at the 2024 World Championships for young dressage horses in Ermelo.

German Sandwich

Dutch rider Bo Leijten was sandwiched on the podium by two Germans as she won silver, while Lilly Kasselmann (GER) got bronze.

The 14-year old Bo Leijten and the 14-year old KWPN mare Gentle van Wittenstein V (by Wittenstein x Krack C) slotted in second with 80.920%.

“I’m very happy,” said Leijten. “My main plan was just to enjoy the test, regardless of the result. But winning a European medal is a dream come true. I’m very proud of my horse, she gave a super feeling.”

Bo has been competing Gentle internationally since April 2024 and in 2025 also began showing on ponies with Mara de Vries' Heitholms Li Lou (by FS Mr Right x Harvey). She was born into a horsey family and grew up at the Harmelen equestrian center. She is coached by her mom Margreet Prosman, but also gets training from Dutch team trainers Loes Corsel and Patrick van der Meer.

The youngest on Germany's team, 12-year old Lilly Kasselmann (GER), took bronze with the 8-year old Oldenburg gelding Vodka Soda (by Vitalis x Dimaggio) after scoring 80.394%.

“At first I was a little bit nervous, but that faded away when my horse felt so good in the warm-up and during the test,” she said.

Kasselmann is the daughter of Francois and Diana Kasselmann, the famous horsey family which runs Hof Kasselmann in Hagen. Her elder sister Emma has taken an interest in show jumping but Lilly prefers dressage. She spent the winter going to school and competing in Vodka Soda and her pony Charlie Brown in Wellington, Florida, before earning her spot on the German team via the Preis der Besten and CDIO-CH Hagen.