This weekend, children, junior and young riders have been in action at the European Championships in Millstreet. 

Among the young riders, the Irish team claimed team gold in dramatic fashion. Michael G. Duffy, Matt Garrigan, Gavin Harley and Max O’Reilly Hyland finished the two-round contest on a total of just five faults. 

Ireland were tied for the lead with Belgium on a zero score at the halfway stage following clear rounds from Duffy riding Felix (Forsyth x Waldstern), Garrigan with Contino (Contender x Lavall I) and O’Reilly Hyland with Ahmed Du Calvaire (Cerano x Landwind). The second round saw Ireland add just five faults to their total. Duffy came home with just a time fault, while Garrigan lowered a single fence. Ireland’s last rider, Gavin Harley with Understone van de Kapel (Happy Wind D'hof Ten Bos x Gladstone), delivered a perfect clear to seal the gold medal for Ireland.

The Netherlands took the silver medal, courtesy of Sanne Thijssen, Jens van Grunsveen, Lisa Nooren and Kevin Jochems. Switzerland claimed bronze with Bryan Balsiger, Vladya Reverdin, Pauline Zoller and Fiona Meyer on the team. The Dutch finished on ten penalties and the Swiss on thirteen.

Germany came back strong individually with Guido Klatte Jr. claiming gold on Qinghai (Quidam de Revel x Cordalme Z), with only 0.12 penalties carried through from the first round of competition. Lisa Nooren took another medal aboard VDL Groep Sabech d’Ha (Qredo de Paulstra*HN x Talent Platiere*) on a total of 8.38 points from the two first rounds. Swiss rider Vladya Reverdin (Winner x Gentleman) also got another medal claiming bronze aboard Edison on a score of 9.32 penalties.

Among the juniors, Belgium was the best team. Securing the gold medal was Zoe Conter with a double clear round on Zeta di Sabuci (Kannan x Robin II Z), Simon Morssinkhof on Gines van de Klunderd (Chatman x Randel Z), Emilie Conter on Fragile van’t Paradijs (Indoctro x Surrealist van't Paradijs) as well as Gilles Thomas who also was double clear on Indiana v.h. Kapelhof (Chatman x Pinkus) to put the Belgian team up against Italy and Great Britain in the jump-off where Belgium and Italy again finished on a score of eight, but with Belgium being the fastest.

The Italian silver team consisted of Giacomo Casadei, Tommaso Gerardi, Francesco Correddu and Guido Franchi. Correddu contributed with a double clear on Necofix (Eco del Castegno x Avenir).

Bronze went to Great Britain with sixteen faults in the jump-off. The British team consisted of Leonie Aitkenhead, Scarlett Charles, Emily Ward and Harry Charles. Both Leonie Aitkenhead and Harry Charles produced double clear rounds.

Belgium’s Gilles Thomas continued his fantastic form throughout the weekend, and finally also went on to claim individual gold for juniors as well after being the only rider in the competition to finish on a zero penalty score. The silver medal went to France’s Camille Conde Ferreira on Pirole de la Chatre (Flipper d'Elle x Prince Ig'Or) who only carried through one penalty from the first day of competition. Just like Gilles, Belgium’s Zoe Conter also got another medal claiming the bronze with only 1.27 penalties carried through from round one.