Christian comes from a family with a deep connection to the equestrian world. His grandfather was head saddle master at the Warendorf State Stud, and his father was a successful Jumping athlete. His mother worked for the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports (DOKR).

As a young boy, Christian was more interested in playing football than riding. His passion for the FC Bayern Munich resulted in a strong connection with player Thomas Müller, who co-owns Christian's top horse, Checker.

After completing a commercial apprenticeship, Christian’s passion for horses finally got the best of him. Driven by his precision and ambition, he set his sights on learning from the best – Ludger Beerbaum. Impressed by Christian's meticulous planning, Beerbaum took him under his wing in 2012, marking the start of his successful career.

Christian initially found success with young horses and in 2021, he competed in the Tokyo Olympic Games with his horse, Mumbai. That same year, he became European silver medallist with the German team on home ground in Riesenbeck.

His journey then led him to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, where he won individual gold. The freshly crowned Olympic Champion, is known for his meticulous care and sensitivity towards his horses, and with which he approaches his daily training and competitions.

Omar started horse riding at the age of seven at his father’s stables at the Albahiya Equestrian Club. His equestrian sporting career took off when he participated in his first national show at the age of nine, before taking part in his first international event at 12 years old.

In 2018, at 15 years of age, he proudly represented his country at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (ARG), where he won individual silver. This was a huge accomplishment as this was the first medal ever, for the UAE in Jumping. Following the Youth Olympic Games, Omar was determined on working hard to be able to compete at Olympic Games. In 2023, he was selected for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 with the UAE team and later that same year, went on to win an individual silver medal and team bronze at the Asian Games.

There was very much a French flavour to his achievements this year as, not only did he compete in Paris, but he is also completing his final year at the University of Sorbonne in Abu Dhabi. Omar stood out at the Olympic Games in Paris for being the youngest athlete in equestrian and for qualifying for the Individual Final, ultimately finishing in the Top 20 on his Olympic debut.

Eventing Groom to Lara De Liederkerke (BEL)

‘Always look on the bright side of life’ is how Bettina lives her life. Constantly smiling, she is very much a positive thinker. When Lara broke her collarbone at the Arville 4*, Bettina simply said, ‘’It’s not so bad, it could have been worse … Lara will be out and about soon!’’

Bettina has had an amazing year with Lara, winning the CCI5* in Lumühlen and going to the Olympic Games in Paris. She takes care of the horses at home and at events, and by fulfilling her job the way she does, contributes to Lara success. Bettina is like a family member, anticipating every move of her four-legged friends. She is known as someone professional and hardworking, who truly loves her horses.

After her first experience working with horses in France, Bettina moved to England for a while, grooming for Ludwig Svennerstal. She then decided to go freelance which allowed her to work alongside some amazing athletes, top-class and up-and-coming, from around the world. This is also how she came to work for Lara. Bettina did a couple of events with her and was quickly offered a fulltime position which she did not hesitate to accept, as she saw a lot of herself in Lara – her ethics and horsemanship, her love of the sport and horses, as well as her willingness to work hard and continue learning.

“Enabling Through the Horse” is an equestrian Para Athlete development programme created by the Namibian Equestrian Federation (NAMEF) in November 2023 and supported by FEI Solidarity.

The programme creates opportunities for the differently disabled communities within Namibia through equestrian sport. It starts at therapeutic riding level with the aim of advancing to the Para athlete level (dependant on the athlete’s level of ability), over a four-year development cycle.

Five schools were chosen to be part of the programme in the Khomas Region of Namibia and 30 children passed an assessment undertaken by both occupational therapists, physiotherapists and educational psychologists. These children entered the programme that started in January 2024.

The programme, under the tutorage of Susan de Meyer, underlines the wonderful characteristics of the horse, the true heroes of this story, in exuding sensitivity and intuition, picking up on human emotions and body language that allows them to respond to the children in a way that can be incredibly reassuring and supportive, helping individuals to feel understood and connected. Meanwhile, the grooming and riding helps fine as well as gross motor skills, and the act of working with a horse enhances body awareness and coordination, mindfulness, responsibility and commitment, builds confidence, while the forming of a bond with a horse is therapeutic in itself.

The impact of the programme on the children has been nothing short of astounding. Children that were once non-verbal began speaking to and greeting their teachers after only two weeks of riding. One child with cerebral palsy is now able to take the reins by opening his hand that once remained tightly shut. One child’s mother proudly proclaims, “I have seen so much improvement in terms of his self-esteem, confidence, social skills and emotional awareness."