”It was mega good,” said Roman Empire's rider Bart Veeze after the ride. ”It was already good in the qualifiers, but I think it was good that we were back at the start in the Small Final.” The last inspection in the Netherlands was two months ago, and they haven't been to a competition since. ”Somehow I needed the competition,” admits the professional trainer with a laugh. ”He can do everything, but I needed another test. But this horse was so focused, he really gives his all and I can rely on him 100 percent.”

Last year, Roman Empire's full brother Red Viper became World Champion of five-year-old dressage horses, also presented by Bart Veeze at the time. This year, Red Viper is in the final of the six-year-olds under Dinja van Liere and his brother Roman Empire is now in the five-year-olds. The dam of both is the Sir Sinclair daughter Zolena, and their sire is Blue Hors Romanov. Roman Empire was bred by Stal Zogland and is owned by Stephanie Scheerder and Rom Vermunt. The individual scores for the winner ranged from 8.2 for walk to 9.5 for perspective. He also received a 9.2 for trot and a 9.0 for both canter and submission.

”Roman Empire is a very harmonious horse that suits Bart's good riding style,” said trainer Sebastian Heinze. ”They have known each other for two years and are making good progress together. The horse is characterised by its excellent rideability, consistency in its basic gaits and concentrated cooperation with the rider.” Heinze had double reason to celebrate, as he also trains the pair that came second: the Benicio daughter Because of You OLD, third in last year's Bundeschampionat for four-year-old riding horses, ridden by Beatrice Hoffrogge. The elegant chestnut mare was bred by the Hollen/Callender partnership out of a Dimaggio mare and is owned by Lara Steimle Lochmann. ”We are very happy that Because of You, a colourful chestnut mare, did so well among all the ‘handsome boys’,” said Beatrice Hoffrogge. The mare was even more relaxed in the Small Final than in the first test. ”This allowed her to shine even more and show what she is capable of.” What is the mare's highlight? ”Her character! She is in a great mood every day, always sweet, loves children and still has sporting ambition.” The judges took this radiance and ambition into account in their perspective score and gave the mare a 9.2. Because of You received scores of 8.9, 8.4 and 9.0 for trot, walk and canter, and an 8.8 for submission. The final score for the pair was 88.60 percent.

The last ticket to the final was earned by the Hanoverian Secret son So Special, ridden by Jessica Lynn Thomas, who came third in the Small Final. His score was 84.20 percent, comprising individual marks ranging from 7.8 (walk) to 9.0 (canter). The stallion had already made a name for himself in 2023 as Vice-Champion at the Bundeschampionat in Warendorf, and in 2024 he secured the silver ribbon in the supporting programme of the World Championships for four-year-olds. Now he is one of the World Championship finalists for five-year-olds. The stallion's breeder and owner is Pia Sophie Wahlers, who bred So Special out of her Bon Coeur daughter Bon Fire.

The 15 best five-year-old dressage horses will compete in the World Championship final on Sunday at Verden's Horse24 Arena, where the world champion will be crowned in the afternoon.