All horses have passed the horse inspection on Tuesday morning 11 July 2023 and are ready to go in the first test - the Team Championships Test - at the 2023 European Young Riders and Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu, Hungary.
Third Time's a Charm
This is the third time Hungarian entrepreneur Arie Yom Tov has brought European youth championships to his Stable Unikornis on the outskirts of Budapest.
In 2020 he was the saviour of the FEI when he hosted the all comprehensive Youth champions in all five divisions in the corona year. The action returned to his yard in 2022 for the European Children and U25 Championships. This year he has opened his doors for Europe's best Young Riders and Under 25 pairs.
Getting Settled In
The majority of the horses arrived on Sunday to get settled in and acclimatised to the venue. The weather in Hungary is hot and teams are fully equipped to cool down the horses with ice and water baths, ventilators and cold blankets.
On Monday the riders were able to familiarize their horses in the arenas, first in the 10-minute ring and then in the actual competition arena, in preparation of the competition which begins on Wednesday 12 July.
All Horses Pass
pass the horse inspection
All horses passed so no horse was up for re-nspection.
The Team Competition
The European Championships kick off with the team competition - the team championship test (PSG) for the Young Riders and the Intermediaire II for the Under 25 riders. The divisions are split into two groups, the first two riders per nation compete on Wednesday, the last two on Thursday after which the team medals are decided.
As usual the favourites for team medals are the three big breeding nations in Europe - Germany - Holland - Denmark, but this year Great Britain is coming full force with its young riders' team and France, Belgium and Sweden are not to be underestimated.
In the Young riders divisions 13 teams are competing: Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and Austria.
In the Under 25 division there are 8 teams: Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden.
Training Camps
camp prior to departure to Hungary
"We deliberately did not do a training camp as preparation," German U25 team trainer Sebastian Heinze told Dressursport Deutschland. "Last year I didn't have the feeling that it was optimal. Including a training camp the horses are away from home for ten days and at the ned of it, it wasn't better as the level of the performances went down at the end. That is why I thought it wasn't the right way to hold a camp with the Championships being held here and the long journey." Heinze visited the selected pairs at home prior to departing for Hungary.
The British young riders did go into a pre-championship training camp where the final composition of their team was decided. The British team is made up of India Durman-Mills (Escade), Lily Laughton (Skovborgs Romadinov,) Jessica McConkey (Lady Gaga) and Annabella Pidgley (Espe). India Durman-Mills stepped in for Ruby Hughes, who opted to ride on the junior team instead.
Let the Games begin.
Photos © Anett Somogyvari - private
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2023 European Young Riders and Under 25 Championships
2023 European Young Riders and U25 Championships Allocated to Pilisjaszfalu