The prestigious “Silver Horse” award at CHIO Aachen 2025 has been awarded to Julia Scharf and Franziska Niebert for their BR24Sport documentary “Jessica von Bredow-Werndl – Between Family and Olympic Gold.”

Second place went to equestrian influencer Esme Higgs for her dynamic and far-reaching social media concept.
Third place was awarded to Christian Kröber and the WeHorse team for their engaging podcast series.

In the Personality category, Karl-Heinz Streng was honored for his lifetime of dedication and contributions to equestrian sport.

Celebrating Innovation in Equestrian Journalism

The award ceremony, held during the traditional Opening Ceremony presented by INNSiDE Hotels, featured smiling faces and heartfelt celebrations. This was the seventh year the award was presented as an online format, highlighting the growing influence and evolution of equestrian journalism in the digital age.

From podcasts and social media to digital documentaries, today’s media brings the equestrian world closer to fans than ever before — making the sport more accessible, modern, and personal.

A Diverse and Expert Jury

The jury for the 2025 awards included:

• Hubertus Schmidt, President of the German Riding & Driving Association (DRFV)
• Nadine Capellmann, Dressage Rider
• Dr. Ute Countess Rothkirch, DRFV Board Member
• Michael Mronz, General Manager of Aachener Reitturnier GmbH
• Tobias Königs, Press Officer, CHIO Aachen
• Christoph Hess, Olympic judge, trainer, and last year’s award recipient

They evaluated approximately 40 entries based on creativity, quality, audience engagement, relevance, and connection to the equestrian community. The submissions spanned blogs, social platforms, and traditional media, successfully transitioning to the digital space.

Highlighting the Winners

🏅 First Place – Julia Scharf & Franziska Niebert
Their documentary on Jessica von Bredow-Werndl stood out as a benchmark for high-quality, emotionally resonant equestrian storytelling in a digital format.

🥈 Second Place – Esme Higgs
Recognized for her widespread influence and engaging equestrian content across multiple social media platforms, connecting with a younger global audience.

🥉 Third Place – Christian Kröber & the WeHorse Podcast Team
Praised for their creative and educational podcast series, which brings expert voices and stories from the sport to life.

Lifetime Achievement: Karl-Heinz Streng

The “Silver Horse” in the Personality category was awarded to Karl-Heinz Streng, a legend in German equestrian sport. Now 83, Streng has shaped the sport for decades — first as a successful rider in dressage and show jumping, and later as a trainer, judge, steward, national coach, and chef d’équipe. His lifelong commitment, expertise, and passion have left an enduring legacy.