Julia Krajewski

Julia Krajewski is a German Olympic event rider who won the individual gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

She started riding as a child and first started eventing with Cyrano 89, a pony stallion, who was later gelded.

“He was a bit unruly and didn’t like dressage, so eventing was our choice and that’s how I ended up being an event rider,” she says.

She won double gold at her first pony Europeans in 2001 when she was 12 and team gold and individual silver in 2002.

Julia continued to be successful as she moved into juniors, winning two team golds and an individual silver on Leading Edge 2.

She took over her young rider horse, Lost Prophecy, from one of her two younger sisters, Greta, after an unfortunate incident.

“I went on holiday with friends after my A levels, but it was very short as I wanted to be there to help her at the junior selection trials,” says Julia. “I had just landed at Dusseldorf airport when my mother texted to say, ‘You can stay in Spain, your sister learnt the wrong dressage test…’”

Julia won double silver at the young rider Europeans with Lost Prophecy.

How old is Julia?

Her date of birth is 22 October 1988.

Where is Julia Krajewski based?

Julia has been based at the German national centre at Warendorf since she was invited to join the “Perspectiv Gruppe” in 2007.

“The goal was to help young people find their way in the sport as professionals,” she says. “But in the beginning I didn’t want to earn my money with riding, because I always felt it was a tough, insecure job.”

She did her basic exams as a professional rider after two years, spent three years in the army sports corps, then did a master’s degree in riding. After this, she spent a couple of years combining riding, working half the day in the federation office and studying part-time for a sports and coaching diploma in Cologne.

After a period as a fully employed national coach, at the end of 2020 she went self-employed. She continues to be based at Warendorf and also still coaches.

“I got brave enough to make the step,” she says. “It’s difficult, but after spending years in the business and knowing more people, I felt confident enough to do it.”

What championships has Julia ridden at?

Julia Krajewski made her championship debut at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where she ended up the discard score, although the German team won silver.

“The Olympics was way too early,” reflected Julia in an interview in 2021, now, noting that Rio was hers and Samourai Du Thot’s first event after their five-star debut at Luhmühlen, where they finished third.

“Some time ago I watched the video of that Luhmühlen and saw how super-careful ‘Sam’ was – maybe then going to the biggest cross-country that has been built in a while wasn’t the best option.”

A year later, they were disqualified from the Europeans and Germany lost team silver when Sam tested positive for controlled medication. Julia has always maintained she doesn’t know how the substance entered his system.

Julia led the dressage at the 2018 World Equestrian Games on Chipmunk FRH, but had a run-out across country.

In 2021, Julia was selected for the Tokyo Olympics riding Amande De B’Neville and claimed the individual gold medal, despite the fact “Mandy” was relatively inexperienced compared to many at the Games.

The following year, Julia and Mandy took the individual silver and team gold at the World Championships in Pratoni.

In 2024, Julia rode Nickel 21 at the Paris Olympics, finishing 11th individually.

What horses is Julia Krajewski known for riding?

Julia first hit the headlines with Samourai Du Thot. The pair finished in the top five 40 times our of 56 international runs and won 18 international classes, including the five-star at Luhmühlen in 2017. Sam was retired in the spring of 2021 after losing an eye.

She also had a number of good results, including winning Bramham CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) in 2018, on Chipmunk FRH. In the spring of 2019, her team-mate Michael Jung took over the ride on Chipmunk, who was subsequently renamed FischerChipmunk FRH for his sponsor Fischer.

Michael and Chipmunk were individual silver and team gold medallists at the 2019 European Eventing Championships and competed together at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, representing Germany alongside Julia on Amande De B’Neville.

Julia now competes a full brother to Chipmunk called Chin Tonic.

“They have similarities but ChinTonic is a different type; smaller, more compact, a bit cheeky,” she says.

Julia won Saumur CCI4*-L in the spring of 2021 on Amande De B’Neville and the pair went on to take the individual title at the Tokyo Olympics that summer.

“‘Mandy’ was unlucky as a young horse – she got stuck in the walker and had time off, she had a teeth problem and had time off,” says Julia.

“She’d always been a bit of the underdog in the stable because of Chipmunk and Samouri Du Thot – they’ve always been a bit more known to people.

“But I’ve always found her really cool and she has got quite some character – she’s a real mare. She’s a princess and queen!”

Mandy was retired in January 2024 and Julia rode at the Paris Olympics on another up-and-coming horse, Nickel 21.

Is Julia married?

No, Julia does not have a husband.