Press release from Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova

At the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children 2022 in Oliva Nova, Spain, the action kicked off on Tuesday with the first competitions for Juniors and Young Riders.

In a 1.40m competition presented by Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova, 99 horse-and-rider combinations took to the start in the first round for the Juniors. Judged as a Table C, penalties were added to the time and it was Ireland’s Francis Derwin and AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (Cruisings Micky Finn x Touchdown) that were the quickest, stopping the clock on 69.64 seconds with nothing to add. The Irish came strong in force, with three riders in the top five, but it was Belgium’s Evelyne Putters and Nabeau van het Migroveld Z (Nabab de Reve x Taran de la Pomme) that took the runner-up position with a time of 71.31. Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy and Templepatrick Welcome Limmeric (Limmerick x Lux Z) placed third with a time of 72.62, while Poland’s Klara Koziol and Rocky (Caretello B x Rommel) took the fourth place followed by Ireland’s Tom Wachman and Lazzaro Delle Schiave (Acodetto 2 x Gluecksgriff) in fifth.  

“I had a good round, my horse jumped very well,” Ireland’s Francis Derwin commented after his win in the opening round. “I was just trying to be quick to get into the top and, luckily enough, I won. I feel good being in Oliva, it is my first time here. It is a lovely venue; I am enjoying it so far. My goal for the week is to win team gold, and then hopefully end with an individual medal as well.” 

The Junior riders continue with their competitions on Wednesday, with the second individual qualifier which is also the first round of the team final. Francis Derwin moves on to day two as the leader on a score of zero penalties, followed by Evelyne Putters as rank two with a score of 0.84, Niamh Mcevoy as rank three with a score of 1.49, Klara Koziol as rank four with a score of 1.6 and Tom Wachman as rank five on 2.18. For the teams, the three best results from the five team members count. Ireland leads the way on 3.67 penalties, followed by Belgium on 8.71 in second and Poland on 9.57 in third. 

The courses at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children 2022 are built by Spain’s very own Santiago Varela, level four course designer and the mastermind behind the Olympic tracks in Tokyo 2020. “This is only the first day of the championship, but all went well,” Varela said on Tuesday after the Juniors had completed their first round. “In general, the horses jumped well, and the riders did a great job. There were many faults everywhere on the course, but also many clear rounds. The majority of the faults were produced by the speed of the horses. Technically speaking, the last line for the Juniors was a complicated line; at the end of a speed class, they needed to slow down and change the balance of the horse in this line – that created several faults.”

“To build a championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children is always very nice, these are one of the nicest events you can build at in your life,” Varela continued. “This is about their dreams and emotions. At any championship, we have to keep calm; you cannot direct a championship, a championship always directs itself. The nerves at a championship play a big role, each and every day, and the mood changes depending on how the riders perform. The team competition also plays a big part, and it is another reason to remain calm: I will just try to keep the horses jumping well. The arena and the fences here in Oliva Nova are very nice. I believe that the Organising Committee has put in a big effort, and they are doing a great job; we are all trying our best.” 

The Young Riders had 86 pairs at start in their first round of competition, judged as a Table C and jumped over a course set at 1.45m – and also in this age category it ended with an Irish win. With a clear round and a time of 71.58 seconds, Ireland’s Jason Foley and the only 9-year-old Cnoc Rua Chinook (Pacino x Ramiro B) were the fastest in this competition presented by Pedersen Sporthorses. Great Britain’s Lily Attwood and Cor-Leon vd Vlierbeek Z (Calvaro F.C. x Omar) placed second with a time of 73.07, while France’s Jules Orsolini and Charlotte 198 (Casall x Carry 22) took the third place when stopping the clock at 74.80 seconds. Orsolini’s compatriot Antoine Ermann and Beryl des Pres (Popstar Lozonais x Djalisco du Guet) finished fourth, while Belgium’s Thibeau Spits and Classic Touch DH (Casall x Corrado I) took the fifth place. 

“Today was a very good day,” Ireland’s Jason Foley commented after his win. “My horse is a little bit on the green side, but he dealt very well with the course. He is a fighter; he loves to leave the jumps up and he is very fast. I had a good draw, being late to go, and the course suited me. My horse has a big stride, so I was able to do one less in most places. It has been just great today to get a good start for Team Ireland – hopefully we can finish out on a strong week.” 

The competition for the Young Riders continues on Thursday, with the second individual qualifier which is also the first round of the team final. Jason Foley leads the way on a score of zero penalties, followed by Lily Attwood on 0.75 in second, Jules Orsolini on 1.61 in third, Antoine Ermann on 1.83 in fourth and Thibeau Spits on 1.9 in fifth. 

For the Young Rider teams, the three best results from the five team members count. Ireland leads the way on a score of 5.96 penalties, followed by Great Britain on 6.84 in second and Belgium on 7.08 in third. 

The FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children 2022 in Oliva Nova, Spain, continues on Wednesday with the first competition for the Children and the second competition for the Juniors, while the Young Riders will have a day off.