10 Jun Future Champions 2026: The Stars of Tomorrow Return to Hagen a.T.W.
(Hagen a.T.W.) From 10 to 14 June, the focus of the international youth equestrian community once again turns to Germany. As one of the most prestigious youth competitions in the world, the Future Champions at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen a.T.W. has long been regarded as one of the most important fixtures of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Series. For many young athletes, Hagen represents a crucial stepping stone on the road to the European Championships and, often, the beginning of an international top-level career.
This year, 453 riders with 613 horses from 29 nations will travel to Hagen a.T.W. Among them are 315 show jumpersand 138 dressage riders. Competition gets underway on Wednesday with the opening jumping classes for Children, Juniors and Young Riders. Over the following five days, a total of eight Nations Cups will be contested across the disciplines of dressage and jumping in the Children, Pony, Junior and Young Rider age categories. In addition, numerous individual competitions provide valuable opportunities for athletes to impress selectors ahead of their respective European Championships.
An Olympic Breeding Ground
Few youth events can boast a list of former participants as impressive as Future Champions. Newly crowned German Champion and Paris Olympic gold medallist Christian Kukuk gained his first international Nations Cup experience in Hagen a.T.W., as did reigning German Ladies’ Champion Laura Klaphake.
The list of former Future Champions competitors reads like a who’s who of international equestrian sport. Olympic medallists such as Ben Maher (GBR), Pieter Devos (BEL), Charlotte Dujardin (GBR), Laura Tomlinson (GBR), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN), Jessica Springsteen (USA), Sönke Rothenberger, Harry Charles (GBR) and Kristina Bröring-Sprehe all competed in Hagen during their youth careers.
And the list goes on. Today’s top riders including Willem Greve (NED), Martin Fuchs (SUI), Anna Kasprzak (DEN), Jana Wargers, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Charlotte “Lottie” Fry (GBR), Bertram Allen (IRL), Maximilian and Philipp Weishaupt, Wilma Hellström (SWE), Michael Duffy (IRL) and Janika Sprunger (SUI) also gained valuable experience at Hof Kasselmann.
Who Will Be the Next Stars?
That question is part of what makes Future Champions so special. Many of today’s fastest-rising stars appeared on the entry lists only a few years ago. Among them are German dressage riders Moritz Treffinger, Semmieke Rothenberger and Raphael Netz, as well as Ben Ebeling (USA), Thibeau Spits (BEL), Paula de Boer-Schwarz, Inès Joly (FRA)and Nina Mallevaey (FRA). Many of these athletes are expected to become future championship representatives for their nations. Those looking for the names that will shape international equestrian sport in the years ahead often find them first in Hagen a.T.W.
Sport, Community and a Unique Atmosphere
Beyond the sporting action, visitors can look forward to a variety of special events. The traditional “Welcome of the Nations”, presented by Covalliero, brings together riders, teams and spectators on Thursday evening and highlights the truly international spirit of the event.Another highlight follows on Friday evening with the 5th Hof Kasselmann & Schockemöhle Hybrid Auction. An exclusive collection of eight dressage horses and eight show jumping horses will be presented and auctioned in the unique atmosphere of the Future Champions. A diverse exhibition featuring equestrian, lifestyle and gastronomy exhibitors completes the visitor experience.
Free Admission – Watch Live Around the World
Admission to Future Champions is free on all event days. All competitions will be streamed live and on demand via ClipMyHorse.TV and FEI.TV. Entry lists, live results and team information are available at www.future-champions.de.
Photo caption: Laura Klaphake and Nifrane de Kreisker, winners of the Young Riders Grand Prix in 2014. © Mark Große Feldhaus.