Melida, Guillen, Moron, Oliva End Season with Gold Medal at 2022 Spanish Youth Championships

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2022 Spanish Youth Riders Championships

- Text and Photos © Lily Forado

Children rider Hugo Melida, junior Javier Guillen, Young rider Sergio Morón, and Under 25 Grand Prix rider Alejandro Oliva became the winners of the 2022 Spanish Youth Championships in Camarma de Esteruelas, Spain, on 21 - 25 September 2022.

With a huge number of entries, 208, for third year in a row Las Cadenas held a massive championships with a lot of success.

On Wednesday afternoon, the traditional parade opened the event. Colour and joy took center stage in the parade as flags of the Spanish regions were flown. At 7:30 p.m., the jubilation by all the attendees began. An explosion of colours flooded the arena and each one of the riders waved their flag with great pride. Balloons, confetti and puffs of smoke painted the sky.

Children: Hugo Melida From Another Galaxy

Hugo Melida and his 15-year old Spanish bred Goya A (by Tornado x Jazz) have been competition on a high this year. Without dropping out of the top 3 since their show debut in March 2022, they produced no less than eight victories this season and this combination was the great favourite for the title.

Undefeated from minute one, the rider scored incredible averages above 78% on the last two days (both Individual and Final). In the third qualification, the European Championship finalist confirmed his level with an excellent score 78,700%. His test was pure elegance, the rider executed all the exercises with great accuracy and showed great symbiosis with his mare. At the end, Hugo was very excited and hugged Goya endlessly. Without surprises and with an average of 232.358% points, Valvanera Palacios' student concluded his third Spanish championship in the best possible way: crowned champion of Spain.

The silver medal went to the European Championship finalist and an assiduous rider on the podiums: Carmen Prado with the 11-year old CDE bred Bambino (pedigree unknown). (227.496%). Her regularity throughout the three days allowed her to climb on the silver step on the podium. The young girl is like a Swiss clock, it never fails. She never disappoints and in recent years he has always reserved a place on the podium.

The bronze medal was a battle between two Catalan riders. Ixone Lacunza is the clear example that nothing should ever be taken for granted and that comebacks are possible. Her progression in this championship has been stratospheric. The C.A.V.A student and her 11-year old Welsh pony Pippin's Playboy (by Molenhorns Lucky Boy) started in twelfth position, she came back to the silver position in the second qualifier and moved to the third position with 72.912% at the finale. She closed the podium with a 223.938%

Junior: Golden Farewell for Javier Guillen

Starting off as one of the favourites, Javier Guillén and his 10-year old PRE bred Resuelto AS (by Barquero XXVI x Italico As) won the first and second qualifier, but had Mireia Luz Konovalova on his heels as his closest rival. The fight for the golden medal was decided by the freestyle in a very intense and interesting duel. As last to compete, Javier Guillén and Resuelto AS danced with the same choreography like last year. His floorplan was tremendous with a high level of difficulty. He performed tempi changes on a circle, a half pirouette in walk, and went off into an extended canter. His gold medal earning score was 74.820% for the freestyle.

Guillén has had a very good season. In his last year as junior rider, the student of Fernando Ariza has been a winning machine on Spanish soil. Of his 11 starts, 11 have been victories. A 100% gold winning percentage that shows that the P.R.E horse can be competitive. His title as Champion of Spain is the finishing touch and best farewell to the level. The young man is currently studying Business and Law at the University of Saragossa.

The silver medal went to Mireia Luz Konovalova on the 17-year old Hanoverian Royal Thunder (by Royal Highness) after scoring bronze in 2020 and silver in 2021. This year she is once again on the silver step, but with another year to go at junior level, she's one to watch next season. Her Kur score was 73.260%.

The bronze medal went to Carla Ugena Agramunt with the 11-year old Westfalian Furst Flanagan (by Flanagan x Diamantino). Lauro Aguiló's student made an impressive climb on the score board. In the team event she took seventh position, in the individual she moved up four places and in the final she sealed second position with 74.100%. She danced to the sound of Girls Just Wanna Have and chained the exercises with great skill. At the end of her kur, Carla was very emotional. Carla Ugena says goodbye to the junior category with another medal for her collection.

Young Riders: Sergio Morón Sets Record Straight

Sergio Moron Basoco has had a roller coaster season this year, winning the young riders division at the 2022 CDIO Aachen, but he did not make it into the freetyle finals at the 2022 European Young Riders Championships in Hartpury as his horse was tense and spooky in the first two rounds. The young rider from Arnedo set the record straight at the Nationals but had to fight for it until the end.

Sergio and his great team mate, the 12-year old Danish warmblood gelding Farnham L (by Furst Rousseau x Hochadel) were in charge from minute one. In the first two qualifiers his results were over 73% and on Sunday his participation culminated with his third Spanish title and second, consecutive one. Sergio performed his last rock dance. Although conservative in his presentation, the rider rode meticulously to rock and pop tunes. The difficulty presented in his test is very impressive and he combined the movements of difficulty with great ease. His floorplan was diverse and he was connected trot exercises with strides of canter. On the last central line, the public could not contain itself and the applause went to the rhythm of their canter strides. Sergio Morón's happy face said it all. He scored 78.745% for his freestyle although the judges scored him between 72.059% and 77.059%! A junior champion in 2017 and the Young Riders champion in 2021, Moron returned to the highest step of the podium this year.

The silver medal went to a rider who has always been Morón's greatest opponent in Spain: Natalia Bacariza Danguillecourt. Aboard the 12-year old Hanoverian Romantico Ymas (by Belissimo M x Rubinstein) she impressed with her freestyle test. Her chestnut was exuberant in the extensions and tempi changes. A much more electric horse than Farnham L, Romantico inspired the judges, who placed him only a few tenths behind the winning pair with 72.118% (high score 73.529, low score 68.824%). Many people in the audience did not share that final result as the spectactor judging had them at 78.240%. Natalia, like Sergio, says goodbye to her years as Young Rider and did so with a meritorious silver medal on an overall score of 223.270% points.

The bronze went to Maria Guerrero Galve, who like Carla Ugena went from less to more. In the past European Championships María did not have her best performance aboard her 11-year old KWPN gelding Gustaaf (by Charmeur), but this past weekend she was able to overcome the challenge. In the team test she scored 69.177%, while in the individual she came back with 71.471%. Finally, in her freestyle to music of the 1990’s, she shone and posted 74.060%. Her kur score put her on the podium for bronze with 214.708% points.

Under 25: Alejandro Oliva Has the Golden Touch

Alejandro Oliva had no rivals in the Under 25 Grand Prix division. With his 11-year old Hanoverian Decor (by Detroit x Herzensdieb) the rider was on a clear golden path after winning double individual silver at the 2022 European Under 25 Championships at the end of August. Undefeated on all three days, Oliva and Decor scored an impressive 79.305% in the freestyle on Sunday. The student of Juan Antonio Jiménez concludes his season with the icing on the cake: Spanish Under 25 champion on an overall total of 229.709% points.

The silver medal went to Adrián Roldan with the 12-year old KWPN bred Floyd (by Rousseau x Farrington). Three times in second place, the Andalusian rider from Gerona presented a heart-stopping freestyle with a great degree of difficulty. With a tremendous entrance, a double pirouette in canter, followed by one tempis and again another double pirouette to the tune of Madonna's “Like A Prayer," Roldán and Floyd started off strong. Later he was linking multiple extensions of trot and canter, combined with the exercises of maximum collection of piaffe and passage. His musical compendium of pop melodies, including “Take On Me” or “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé, were in unison with the strides. One of the movements that was impressive was a canter half pass to X, followed by a piaffe pirouette that changed direction, proceeding with a canter pirouette followed by a canter half-pass. Adrián knew how to handle the extreme difficulty and executed it very well. His freestyle score was 73.980%.

The bronze medal went to a rider who is a newcomer at the level, Alberto García Albela with the experienced 13-year old CDE bred Estoque (by Azucar Da Carniceira). The tunes of “Every Breath you Take” or “English Man in New York” by Sting accompanied the strides of Estoque in his dance choreography. In the musical test he obtained a 71.700% for fifth place, but with his scores from the Inter II and Short Grand Prix added, he landed the bronze medal. His foray into the circuit has been the best one could dream of. In several months, Alberto showed that he is here to stay and that he fights. Trained by Juan Manuel Muñoz, the Galician rider has been the great surprise of this championship.

Worth Mentioning

An interesting fact is that since the Spanish U25 Championships were created in 2017, all the winners, Juan Matute (2017), Diego Martínez del Moral (2018 and 2019), Cristina Wagemans (2020 and 2021) and recently Alejandro Oliva (2022) are professional riders who have a portfolio of clients. In few words, they are the future of Spanish Dressage.

The Spanish Championship is one of the great motivators for youth riders. The jovial atmosphere and above all enjoyment are what was palpable in the environment. This championship is the showcase of the evolution and future of the discipline. Las Cadenas has once again organized an outstanding competition.

Results - 2022 Spanish Youth Riders Championships

Children

1. Goya a - Hugo Melida Gómez 74,742% 78,916% 78,700% ---- 232,358%
2. Bambino - Carmen F. Prado Gómez-jarabo 74,250% 78,066% 75,180% ---- 227,496%
3. Pippin´s Playboy - Ixone Lacunza Vázquez 72,442% 78,584% 72,912% ---- 223,938%
4. Zanon - Jeanette Vallvé Martin 74,034% 78,242% 71,401% ---- 223,677%
5. Sander - Ainhoa González Flores 73,684% 73,150% 70,653% ---- 217,487%
6. Golddigger - Laia García Navarro 73,484% 74,792% 68,802% ---- 217,078%
7. Sir Medano - Martín Aragón Martín 73,334% 70,908% 72,322% ---- 216,564%
8. Lobezno D´ponton Es - Candela Exposito Irusta 70,216% 76,442% 69,536% ---- 216,194%
9. Furstin Blumenwiese - Julia Alejandra Vales Shilan 70,034% 77,775% 66,909% ---- 214,718%
10. Rocio De Spano - Adriana Sofia Navarro Sánchez 68,966% 73,466% 71,992% ---- 214,424%
11. Soldador Eucalipto - Tomás Rojas Vieyra Zahonek 72,475% 74,184% 67,424% ---- 214,083%
12. Druida Cs - Carla Carballo Rodríguez 69,716% 73,792% 69,034% ---- 212,542%
13. Rui Matxitxako - Yaiza Salmón Mazo 73,816% 69,466% 66,369% ---- 209,651%
14. Sammy De Luxe - Noelia De Miguel Mayoral 70,025% 73,450% 64,754% ---- 208,229%
15. Risto - Zoe Romero Loureiro 68,725% 69,766% 69,185% ---- 207,676%
16. Xacobeo Iii - Peio Bernas Larrinaga 72,458% 68,442% 66,320% ---- 207,220%
17. Juanito X - Jessica Gonzalo Aguilera 69,884% 70,550% 65,787% ---- 206,221%
18. Lucifer De Antuna - Laura Raja Gambin 74,134% 65,108% 64,582% ---- 203,824%

Junior Riders

1. 1 Resuelto as - Javier Guillén Callejas 69,303% 71,824% 74,820% ---- 215,947%
2 Royal Thunder - Mireia Luz Konovalova 69,091% 69,971% 73,260% ---- 212,322%
3 Furst Flanagan - Carla Ugena Agramunt 67,758% 69,294% 74,100% ---- 211,152%
4 De Yakare - Alfonso Ruiz Velasco 68,000% 67,765% 72,200% ---- 207,965%
5 Edd - Pablo Martínez Muriel 67,879% 68,059% 70,385% ---- 206,323%
6 Dolce Vita Samuel Montero Melantuche 68,152% 66,971% 71,105% ---- 206,228%
7 Dean Martin - Elsa Bosch Portillo 65,515% 67,971% 71,210% ---- 204,696%
8 Amber - José Montoya Martínez 66,212% 67,853% 70,235% ---- 204,300%
9 Alixion - Julia Hessel Ferrer 67,970% 69,030% 67,105% ---- 204,105%
10 Eddie - Sara De La Cruz Arteaga 66,152% 67,118% 69,880% ---- 203,150%
11 Danciella - Carmen Walinski Weber 66,303% 67,765% 68,665% ---- 202,733%
12 Blue Mountain W - Paula Taramona Rivera 66,667% 68,265% 66,570% ---- 201,502%
13 Frida Gold - Laia Canut Arenos 65,970% 66,912% 67,925% ---- 200,807%
14 Infinity - Alexandra Wightman Moreno 66,788% 66,823% 66,270% ---- 199,881%
15 Bombon De Vida - Lucía Borreda Ribes 66,394% 65,853% 67,265% ---- 199,512%
16 Cocktail - Claudia Lledó Ros 66,030% 65,882% 66,605% ---- 198,517%
17 Ovd-prieto Ii - Vera Soto Sánchez 66,424% 65,265% 66,565% ---- 198,254%

Young Riders

1. Farnham L Sergio Morón Basoco 73,794% 74,736% 78,745% ---- 227,275%
2 Romantico Ymas - Natalia Bacariza Danguillecourt 72,118% 72,912% 78,240% ---- 223,270%
3 Gustaaf - María Guerrero Galve 69,177% 71,471% 74,060% ---- 214,708%
4 Douro - Felipe Montoya Martínez 69,265% 70,147% 72,330% ---- 211,742%
5 Euro Boy - Giovanni Torrens Bentz 67,676% 68,412% 71,775% ---- 207,863%
6 Bounty - Agustín García Garrido 69,559% 67,118% 70,935% ---- 207,612%
7 Enjoy - Marta Gómez-acebo Serrano 68,647% 67,324% 70,695% 206,666%
8 Babalu De Adama De Susa - Roser Serrano Pons 68,441% 68,324% 69,465% ---- 206,230%
9 Anum Concesur - Teresa De La Puerta Valdecantos 66,559% 68,118% 70,980% ---- 205,657%
10 Dubai King - Fátima García-gullón Domínguez 68,206% 68,412% 67,325% ---- 203,943%
11 Guns of Wild Rose - Bruno Cid Romero 68,088% 67,912% 67,315% ---- 203,315%
12 Florencia - Berta Fito Ayats 66,559% 67,206% 68,555% ---- 202,320%
13 Showtime - María Bech Salvatella 69,177% 67,294% 64,260% ---- 200,731%
14 Quimera Jb - Raquel Bailon Folch 65,500% 66,235% 67,660% ---- 199,395%
15 Ayrento - Paloma Serrano Suárez De Centi 65,559% 65,853% 67,420% ---- 198,832%
16 Henzo - Lucía Taus Berdejo 66,235% 65,735% 66,020% ---- 197,990%
17 Royal Dream - Emma Andersen Soderberg 65,529% 65,265% 64,205% ---- 194,999%

Under 25

1. 1 Decor - Alejandro Oliva Lázaro 74,353% 76,051% 79,305% ---- 229,709%
2 Floyd - Adrián Roldán Narváez69,441% 71,359% 73,980% ---- 214,780%
3 Estoque - Alberto García Albela 68,824% 70,205% 71,700% ---- 210,729%
4 Believe - Mónica Blázquez Lopez-muñiz 67,824% 70,000% 72,255% ---- 210,079%
5 Denksport - Juan José González De Las Cuevas 67,794% 69,077% 72,945% ---- 209,816%
6 for Olimpic Games - Diego Martínez Del Moral 66,353% 67,795% 69,260% ---- 203,408%
7 Roscatelli - Raúl Díaz Real 63,882% 66,077% 68,020% ---- 197,979%
8 Saullo - Andrés Herrera Bravo 64,559% 64,026% 69,055% ---- 197,640%
9 Enorm - Carmen Gálvez González 63,206% 65,461% 66,950% ---- 195,617%
10 Sir Marq - Silvia Hernando Morant 62,500% 64,102% 66,665% ---- 193,267%
11 Fiorella - Keyla Helena Gutiérrez López 62,294% 63,487% 67,385% ---- 193,166%
12 Cronos - Paloma Canales Espí 64,471% 62,846% 64,480% ---- 191,797%
13 Goya 06 - Ana Alcaraz González 60,529% 63,128% 62,985% ---- 186,642%
14 Ag Bandalo - Nieves Pimentel Vidal 58,559% 60,923% 63,345% ---- 182,827%