Press release from Young Riders Academy, edited by World of Showjumping

The Young Riders Academy has announced their selection for 2026. Of the candidates that participated at the selection event at Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, eleven were selected for the YRA Team 2026; Elisa Chimirri (ITA), Rose De Balanda (FRA), Mathieu Guery (BEL), Nick Nanning (NED), Anthony Philippaerts (BEL), Lou Puch (SUI), Bryan Smits (SUI), Emma Sophia Spanko (CZE), Leah Stack (IRL), Sören Suppert (GER) and Thijmen Vos (NED).

The selected riders represent seven nations, and have been chosen from a pool of 26 candidates representing 16 countries. The selection panel – including Jens Fredricson, Thierry Pomel, and Jeroen Dubbeldam – assessed the 26 candidates over a two-day period. The entire process was supervised by Sven Holmberg – YRA Sport Director – who also contributed to the evaluation of the riders’ sports knowledge and their overall compatibility with the programme.

Commenting on this year’s selection, Eleonora Ottaviani – President of Athenaeum and YRA – said: “Once again, this year’s selection confirms the Young Riders Academy as a programme of excellence. The level continues to rise, with increasingly strong candidates being nominated by their federations, clearly reflecting the bright future of our sport. Our role is not only to identify these talents, but to support them throughout their journey. We aim to help them grow into complete athletes, both inside and outside the arena, providing them with the tools, the knowledge, and a long-term support system that accompanies them during the Academy and beyond.”

The Young Riders Academy is a program for European talented young show jumpers with the cooperation of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and the support of Rolex since its first edition. Founded in 2014 by Athenaeum, a non-profit association, the program offers talented riders between the ages of 18 and 23 the chance to train for several months at an international professional stable as well as qualified education in communication, business & economics, veterinary and legal practice related to showjumping.