Edited press release from Young Riders Academy

This week, the Young Riders Academy (YRA) marked its 10th anniversary with an unforgettable celebration in Venice. Hosted at the iconic Teatro La Fenice, the event brought together a special YRA family, including riders from all ten years, trainers, organizers and friends. It was a night to honour a decade of achievements, shared experiences, and enduring values in equestrian sport.

Over the past ten years, YRA has guided 99 young riders, united by friendship, respect, and a shared passion for excellence.

Legendary mentors such as Franke Sloothaak, Jos Lansink, Marco Kutscher, Jens Fredricson, Otto Becker, Henk Nooren, Ben and Wim Schröder, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, and Thierry Pomel – along with lecturers who filled the educational sessions with energy, knowledge, and insight – have all been instrumental in shaping the Academy’s success. These world-class professionals have not only excelled in their own careers but have also served as dedicated guides for this next generation. Their passion and dedication have been a cornerstone of YRA’s journey.

Eleonora Ottaviani, President of the Academy, reflected on this remarkable milestone: "From the very beginning, we always believed we would one day stand here, celebrating these young riders’ victories – European, World Championships, and even Olympic medals. So many marvellous moments have made us proud. To be a champion, it’s worth remembering that talent alone is never enough. True greatness comes from being a person of integrity – loyal, honest, and sincere."

"Stay humble, embrace self-reflection, and rise stronger after every fall, and, above all, never lose your hunger to learn. At YRA, we don’t claim to be perfect teachers, but we hope to have instilled values and principles that will guide these talents throughout their journey,” Ottaviani concluded.

Board Member Emile Hendrix emphasized YRA’s mission and progress: “Our focus has always been to create opportunities for young talents to grow into exceptional riders and individuals. Thanks to the dedication of our team and the steadfast support of Rolex, we’ve built something truly special.”

The evening also honoured the memory of three key figures who contributed to YRA’s success but are no longer here – Breido Graf zu Rantzau, Jean Maurice Bonneau and Jack Dodd. Their legacies remain integral to the Academy’s spirit.

Looking ahead, the Academy encouraged its riders to not only excel in competition but also take on leadership roles to shape the sport’s future. As Hendrix remarked: “To our riders, I urge you to give your absolute best for the sport and serve as exemplary ambassadors. Beyond the arena, embrace responsibilities in organizations to help drive the evolution of equestrian sport. Together, we must shape the future we envision.”

Joe Stockdale – part of the YRA team in 2022 – commented: “It has been an incredible opportunity for many reasons, beyond the technical aspects of the sport. For some talents, it fostered lifelong friendships and precious networks; for others, it provided transformative experiences, professionalism, management skills, and deep equestrian insights. A great value added indeed.”

As YRA enters its second decade, its commitment to excellence, education, and opportunity remains stronger than ever.

The Young Riders Academy is a program intended for talented young European show jumpers, in collaboration with the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and supported by Rolex since its establishment in 2014. This program offers riders between the ages of 18 and 23 the opportunity to train for several months at a professional stable, while also receiving education in communication, business and economics, veterinary practice, and legal matters related to show jumping. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop future champions and leaders in the sport.