Julia Krajewski: From Nordhorn via Tokyo to Paris

Julia Krajewski, born on October 22, 1988 in Langenhagen, Lower Saxony, is one of the most successful German eventing riders. In a sport in which women and men compete on an equal footing, she has made a name for herself with her exceptional ambition and talent.

Early years and rise in equestrian sport

Julia was born as the first child of Christina and Paul Krajewski and grew up with two younger sisters in Klausheide near Nordhorn. Unlike many other successful eventing riders, she did not have an "inherited network" to fall back on. Instead, she had to work everything out for herself. Her connection to equestrian sport came from her own enthusiasm and that of her siblings. Julia learned to ride her own horse, the Dartmoor mix Tibo, at the age of five. At the age of seven, she achieved her first competition placings and began to discover her passion for eventing.

After graduating from the Georgianum grammar school in Lingen, she completed her training as a horse manager with a focus on riding and graduated at the top of her class in 2009. This was followed in 2012 by the examination to become a master of equine management in the field of riding training. Parallel to her active career, she studied for three years at the DOSB Trainer Academy in Cologne and has been a qualified equestrian trainer since 2015.

Career as a trainer

Julia gained practical experience as a trainer early on and has regularly supported the junior national coaches at courses and championships since 2010. Since November 2016, she has been working as a junior national coach for eventing juniors at the German Equestrian Federation. From 2017 to the end of 2021, she was national coach for the juniors and took over the training of the U25 age group and the eventing perspective group from 2022.

Julia Krajewski's greatest successes

Julia Krajewski achieved her breakthrough in international sport with the Argentinian thoroughbred After the Battle, who gave her her first senior European Championship start in 2010. However, her most important partner was the French Samourai du Thot, with whom she finished third in her CCI4* premiere in Luhmühlen in 2016. In the same year, they traveled to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as a reserve pair, where they made a surprise appearance and won team silver. A bitter setback followed when Julia and Samourai du Thot were eliminated after three refusals in the cross-country, but still won the silver medal with the team.

In the following interview, the Amazon tells us which successes she particularly remembers:

After Samourai's retirement from the sport due to illness, Chipmunk FRH took his place. Julia took part in the 2018 World Championships in Tryon with Chipmunk. The French-bred mare Amande de B'Neville ("Mandy") then became her success horse. With Mandy, she secured victory in the CCI4*-L in Saumur in 2021 and the bronze medal at the German Championships in Luhmühlen. Her greatest triumph came at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where she became the first woman to win the gold medal in eventing.

Successes at the Olympic Games:

• 2021, Tokyo/JPN, Singles, Amande de B'Neville: Gold
• 2021, Tokyo/JPN, Team, Amande de B'Neville: 4th place
• 2016, Rio de Janeiro/BRA, Team, Samourai du Thot: Silver

Successes at world championships:

• 2022, Pratoni del Vivaro/ITA, Individual, Amande de B'Neville: Silver
• 2022, Pratoni del Vivaro/ITA, Team, Amande de B'Neville: Gold
• 2018, Tryon/USA, Individual, Chipmunk FRH: 39th place
• 2018, Tryon/USA, Team, Chipmunk FRH: 5th place

Successes at European Championships:

• 2017, Strzegom/POL, Singles, Samourai du Thot: 18th place
• 2017, Strzegom/POL, Team, Samourai du Thot: Silver

Successes at German championships:

• 2024, Luhmühlen, Singles, Nickel: 6th place
• 2023, Luhmühlen, Individual, Ero de Cantraie: Gold
• 2021, Luhmühlen, Individual, Amande de B'Neville: Bronze
• 2019, Luhmühlen, individual, Samourai du Thot: Gold
• 2018, Luhmühlen, individual, Samourai du Thot: Gold
• 2017, Luhmühlen, Single, Chipmunk FRH: Winner
• 2015, Luhmühlen, Singles, Lost Prophecy: 12th place
• 2013, Schenefeld, Singles, Lost Prophecy: 12th place
• 2013, Fürstenau Lonnerbecke, Team, Lost Prophecy: Silver
• 2012, Luhmühlen, Individual, London-Return OLD: 12th place
• 2010, Hünxe, Team, Lost Prophecy: Gold

Other major successes:

• 2016, Luhmühlen, CCI 4, Samourai du Thot:* 3rd place
• 2016, Renswoude/NED, CIC 3, Samourai du Thot:* 1st place
• 2016, Wiesbaden, CIC 3, Samourai du Thot:* 4th place
• 2015, Strzegom/POL, CCI 3, Samourai du Thot:* 3rd place
• 2015, Wiesbaden, CIC 3, Samourai du Thot:* 1st place

Julia Krajewski's young horses got their chance in 2023. In Luhmühlen, she won her third German Championship title with Ero de Cantraie after 2017 and 2018. Her young horse Nickel secured the prestigious victory at CHIO Aachen in 2024.

Personal life

Julia Krajewski keeps her private life largely out of the public eye. Her parents, Christina and Paul Krajewski, and her two younger sisters are a great support to her. Her family and friends appreciate her down-to-earth attitude and commitment, both in sport and in life. 

Another exciting chapter in Julia's career is her collaboration with Carsten Sostmeier. The well-known commentator and equestrian expert has accompanied and supported Julia on her journey. This collaboration has not only led to a deeper understanding of the sport, but has also strengthened the public perception of Julia Krajewski.

Julia Krajewski's successful horses

Julia Krajewski's successful horses have played a crucial role in her impressive career as an eventer. Each horse she has ridden brings its own story and unique skills, which together have contributed to her numerous successes. Here are some of the most notable horses that have triumphed alongside her:

Ero de Cantraie (*2014)

Breed: Selle Francaise 

Pedigree: Sire: Querlybet Hero, dam's sire: Valespoir Malebry

Owner: Prof. Dr. Bernd Heicke

This 2014-born Selle Francais gelding, owned by Prof. Dr. Bernd Heicke, has proven to be an impressive eventing horse. Ero de Cantraie is known for his strong performance in CCI4*-S competitions and his remarkable placings in 2023, including 5th place in the CCI4*-L in Montelibretti and 2nd place in the CCI4*-S in Marbach. He also became German Senior Eventing Champion in Luhmühlen in 2023.

Nickel (*2014)

Breed: Holsteiner gelding (2014)

Pedigree: Sire: Numero Uno, Dam Sire: Lorentin I

Owner: Family Rössel

A Holsteiner gelding born in 2014, owned by the Rössel family, Nickel has also established himself as a strong eventing horse. His successes in 2023 include 2nd place in the CCI4*-L in Montelibretti, 1st place in the CCI4*-S NC Arville and 2nd place in the CCI4*-S in Wiesbaden. He also won bronze at the German Senior Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen.

Great-Twist "Tommy" (*2015)

Breed: Zangersheide sport horse

Pedigree: Sire: Gemini xx (CL), dam's sire: Quidam de Revel

Owners: Prof. Dr. Bernd Heicke, Julia Krajewski

Born in 2015, this Zangersheide gelding is owned by Prof. Dr. Bernd Heicke and Julia Krajewski. Tommy has proven himself up to CCI3*-S competitions, with a win in Münster 2023 and a remarkable 2nd place in the CCI2*-S in Oudkarspel 2024. His consistent performance makes him an important part of Julia's successful stable.

Chilli Morning II "Deuce" (*2017)

Breed: British Sporthorse
Pedigree: Clone of Chilli Morning, sire: Phantomic xx, dam's sire: Kolibri
Owner: Christopher and Lisa Stone

A clone of the legendary Chilli Morning, this 2017-born British Sporthorse gelding is owned by Christopher and Lisa Stone. Deuce has already achieved significant success in CCI2* competitions, including a win in the CCI2YHin Nokere 2023 and a 6th place in the CCI2-L in Strzegom.

Rockaya (*2017)

Breed: Hanoverian

Parentage: Sire: Radisson, dam's sire: Stalypso

Owner: Katharina Köhlmoos

This 2017-born Hanoverian, owned by Katharina Köhlmoos, has excelled with victories and placings in elementary (L) level show jumping and cross-country tests. In 2024, she won the CCI1* test in Oudkarspel and took bronze at the 2023 Bundeschampionat for 6-year-old eventing horses.

Samourai du Thot "Sam" (*2006)

Breed: Selle Francais
Pedigree: Sire: Milor Landais, dam's sire: Flipper d'Elle
Successes:

• Team Silver Olympic Games 2016
• 3rd place CCI 5* Luhmühlen 2016
• 2nd place CCI 5* Luhmühlen 2017
• Gold German Championships 2018 & 2019
• 18 international victories and 40 top 5 placings

Sama Selle Francais gelding born in 2006, has been Julia's faithful partner in many of her greatest successes. With him, she won team silver at the 2016 Olympic Games, took 3rd place in the CCI5* in Luhmühlen in 2016 and won the CCI5* in Luhmühlen in 2017. Sam was German Champion in 2018 and 2019 and achieved a total of 18 international victories.

Amande de B'Neville "Mandy" (*2010)

Breed: Selle Francais
Pedigree: Sire: Oscar des Fontaines, Dam: Elan de la Cour
Owner: Prof. Dr. Bernd Heicke, Julia Krajewski
Successes:

• Individual Olympic gold medal Tokyo 2021
• Bronze DM Eventing 2021
• Team Gold World Championships Pratoni del Vivaro 2022
• Individual silver at the Pratoni del Vivaro 2022 World Championships
• Many more wins and placings up to CCI4*L

Mandya Selle Francais mare born in 2010, brought Julia individual gold at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She won team gold and individual silver at the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro and achieved many other top placings up to CCI4*-L.

These horses, along with many others, have not only contributed to Julia's sporting successes, but have also shaped her journey in the world of eventing. Their stories and successes are an integral part of Julia's remarkable career and are testament to her ability to develop exceptional partnerships with her horses.

Conclusion

Julia Krajewski has established herself as one of the most successful and talented eventers in Germany. Her remarkable career is the result of years of training, hard work and an exceptional feel for the sport. Despite a lack of family networks in equestrian sport, she managed to achieve outstanding success through her own efforts and passion.

Her greatest sporting triumphs, such as winning the individual gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and numerous medals at World and European Championships as well as German Championships, are proof of her dedication and ability. Particularly noteworthy are her partnerships with horses such as Samourai du Thot, Chipmunk FRH and Amande de B'Neville, which contributed significantly to her international breakthrough.

In addition to her active career, Julia Krajewski has supported many young talents as a coach and passed on her expertise. Her collaboration with the well-known commentator Carsten Sostmeier has also contributed to her popularity.

Julia Krajewski remains an inspiring personality in equestrian sport. Her dedication, talent and successes make her an outstanding athlete. Despite her success, she remains down-to-earth and keeps her private life out of the public eye for the most part. Her fans can look forward to seeing what the future holds for this remarkable rider.

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