Edited press release from Vilamoura Equestrian Centre

The juniors and young riders opened the first day of competition at the 2021 European Championships for children, junior and young riders in Vilamoura, Portugal. 

Between the two classes, a total of 185 horse-and-rider combinations gave Bernardo Costa Cabral’s courses a try – the juniors’ track was set at 1.40m and the young riders’ at 1.45m. 

Belgium opened strong, with Evelyne Putters taking the lead among the juniors with Uith de Rotes (Calvaro F.C. x Jalisco B) while for the young riders Alexander Housen riding Casillas van de Helle (Casall x Corrado I) and Thibeau Spits riding Classic Touch DH (Casall x Corrado I) finished second and third behind Great Britain's Jodie Hall Mcateer on Kimosa van het Kritrahof (Chatman x Eros Platiere) who with her time of 63.98 was no less than two seconds faster than runner-up Housen.

The second and third place in the junior category went to Denmark’s Josephin Christian Jacobsen riding Dakar (Utrillo Z x Darco) and French rider Alice Laine riding Emerald Sitte (Nabab de Reve x Corland). 

The European Championships continue today with the first round in the children category, and the first round of the junior team competition.