Julia-Katharina von Platen and Mocca

Born in the capital of the Hanoverian breeding area, Celle, 18 year old Julia-Katharina von Platen missed her last chance to win individual gold at the 1999 European Junior Rider Championships. Considered to be the favorite for the individual lead in Achleiten, Austria, she started to clear her way to the path of gold by defeating all competition at the last Junior Riders' qualifier in Bad Honnef. With scores of 66.83% and 68.63% her absolutely gorgeous mount Mocca, a 10 year old Hanoverian by Merlino out of a Wittelsbach dam, shimmered like a diamond in the rough. 

Mocca had been a rising star from early age. In 1994 the young Hanoverian gathered experience at the Bundeschampionate where he became Reserve Champion of the 5 year olds under Julia's father Ute von Platen. One year later Julia became 9th with the bay at the 1995 Bundeschampionate scoring a decent 8.20.

Julia-Katharina von Platen got acquainted with riding at early age. With three different ponies she was placed in the B-frame of the German Pony Team and in 1995 she won the German Championships with Dean in the 5 and 6 year old dressage pony division. Her first "big" horse was Welfenprinz with whom she became double German Junior Rider Champion. At various competitions she settled herself in the top five at Prix St. Georges-Intermediaire I level with this Welstphalian by Weinberg . In 1998 she claimed the Reserve European Junior Rider Champion title at Hickstead, England.

This year she combined with reserve horse Mocca and became 5th in the Preis der Besten. For one year now the 18 year old is following courses in the National Training Center of the German Olympic Committee in Warendorf to become a professional dressage rider. Mocca injured himself one week before departing to the European Championships in Achleiten. Von Platen had to pull back and Desiree Schurf filled in the open spot with Maldini.

Text copyrighted Junior Riders

Image copyrighted Mary Phelps - http://horsesdaily.com