Vargas, Melida, Guillen Win 2024 Spanish Youth Championships in Adverse Weather Conditions

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2024 Spanish Youth Championships

-- Text and Photos © Lily Forado, edited by Eurodressage

A month ago, more precisely on Sunday, September 1, 2024, the curtain of the Spanish Youth Championships fell on a fantastic edition at equestrian center Las Cadenas in Camarma de Esteruelas.

Despite difficult weather conditions with torrential downpours of rain and muddy conditions, the organizing committee showed great adaptability and problem-solving skills to keep the activities running smoothly. However, the true credit, or as the French say "chapeau," went to the riders. Their composure under the pressure of the Championship and their skill were exemplary, riding each stride with great expertise despite the challenging conditions.

Triana Vargas in Children’s category, Hugo Melida in the Junior class, and Javier Guillén in Young Riders division were crowned Spanish Dressage Champions 2024 in their respective age categories.

Children: Triana Vargas

Triana Vargas knows what it's like to stand on the champion's podium. Last season, she was the overall champion in the “Alevines” category (9-12 years) . One year later, she repeated the feat, but at a different level. The rider from La Rioja started the championship with two wins (89.7% and 78.409%). While she didn’t achieve the expected result in the final, falling to fifth place (74.078%), her overall point total made her once again the Spanish champion with the 18-year old Hanoverian gelding Don Corleone (by Don Frederico x Markus Deak xx) (232.187), adding a second winner's ribbon to her home collection.

The runner-up is Victor Álvarez's student, Ònia Maldonado aboard the 15-year old Belgian bred pony Dinky Toy van het Bloemenhof (by Champion de Luxe x Don't Worry), whose progress in this championship has been stellar. She secured eighth place in the first qualifier (72.759%), took second in the second qualifier (78.066%), and in the final she was third (74.719%). Her silver total was 225.544.

The trio of champions was rounded out by Samuel Delgado's student, Aitana Morales, riding the 10-year old CDE bred Jerte de Valduma (by Pentjab de Vatmo) with a total of 225.269 points. In her first season in the Children's category, she made a spectacular debut with the bronze medal. She scored 76.684%, 75.975%, and 72.61%.

Although wining the final test, Alejandro Navarro with the 9-year old PRE mare Inquieta FSR (by Malagueno LXXXIII) missed out on the medals in fourth place overall. His season, both nationally and internationally, has been outstanding, representing the P.R.E. with impressive results.

Junior Riders: Third Title for Hugo Melida

The battle for the national junior title came down to three riders in the freestyle: Hugo Melida, Laia Garcia, and Maria Campo.

The student of Claudio Castilla, Hugo Melida was crowned Spanish Champion for the third consecutive year, this time with the 17-year old CDE mare Goya A (by Tornado x Jazz) , achieving an impressive score of 214.691. Hugo’s success story with Goya A began in 2022 when they competed together in the national arena in the Children's category. Since then, they have achieved numerous successes, highlighted by his title as Spanish Children's Champion in 2022 and as a European Championship finalist. Last year, riding Byron, Hugo claimed the Spanish Juveniles 0* Champion's title.

After scoring 69.97% in the team test and 69.471% Melida and Goya A needed a freestyle victory to take the gold. He kicked off his freestyle routine, quite literally, to the rhythm of an airplane taking off. His performance was synchronized with the melodies of the Top Gun soundtrack. "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin accompanied the walk part, while Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" set the scene for the trot phase. The combination of exercises was powerful, which added a high level of difficulty. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Hugo gave it his all and shone. His performance was flawless, and the panel of judges rewarded his quality with a remarkable score of 75.250%, which put his overall total at 214.691 points for the champion sash.

Laia Garcia and the 13-year old NRPS bred Golddigger (by Furst Fugger x Sandro Hit) secured the silver, just as she did in 2021 in the Children's category aboard Volvo. She was consistent in the first two rounds with 69.212% and 70.677%. As last to go in the freestyle, the Valencian rider took risks in every movement. Her routine became increasingly challenging, delighting the audience with flying changes while holding the reins in one hand. Her only slip-up was a slight misstep in a trot extension where she broke stride and shifted into a canter. Her final score was 71.905% which brought her overall total to a silver medal earning 211.794 points

Maria Campo and her 15-year old Oldenburg gelding Stendley Hit (by Sancisco x Nandino xx) debuted on the podium and took home the bronze medal, with a total score of 211.677 points. She scored 68.606% in the team test and 70.176% in the individual. In the freestyle she performed to Coldplay melodies and didn’t make any mistakes. Her score of 72.895% placed her second in the class and third overall.

Young Riders: Four in a Row for Javier Guillen

The battle for the Young Riders title was a dramatic one with twists and turns one only sees in Hollywood thrillers. Three riders - Javier Guillen, Mireia Luz and Jaime Gregorio -- were neck to neck and the freestyle turned all decisive for the podium places.

Jaime Gregorio with the 9-year old Westfalian stallion Rock It (by Rock Amour x Ferragamo had won the team test (70.029) but Mireia Luz and her 19-year old Hanoverian Royal Thunder (by Royal Highness x Londonderry) won the individual test (70.529). Last year's champion Javier Guillen was each time very closely on their heels aboard his 12-year old PRE Resuelto AS (by Barquero XXVI x Italic AS). He was second in the team test (69.882%) and third in the individual (69.853%)

So the freestyle decided the champions table and amongst the podium hopefuls the reigning Spanish Young Riders Champion, Javier Guillén was first to go in the arena of the medal hungry trio. Combining trot and canter exercises, he presented a choreography with great difficulty. The test had impressive moments, with only a single mistake in one of the tempi series. His 73.030% score made it clear that he was in the fight for gold.

Mireia Luz and Royal Thunder came next. The student of Teia Hernández danced to classical music, with notable trot and canter extensions set to very fitting music. The four-tempi changes had some faults, but she made up for it on the final centerline by performing her “joker” line to improve her four-tempis. Her final score of 70.870 secured her fourth place in the freestyle

All eyes were on the last rider, Jaime Gregorio from Zaragoza. He had a dream season after competing in the European Championship and gold seemed within reach, but nothing is guaranteed in sport. Just before he entered the arena, a loose horse on Arena 3 caused a three-minute delay. Jaime began his test to the beat of “Hit the Road Jack.” He connected several turns and trot half-passes, but as he reached the short side at A, the bell was rung as the judges noticed that the horse had bit itself and his saliva was red. The pair was eliminated. What promised to be an epic Young Riders battle turned into a bitter end for Jaime.

After the points were tallied, Javier Guillén retained his title in the Young Riders category with a total of 212.765 points. In 2021 and 2022, he was Junior champion and in 2023 Young Riders champion. Several riders have achieved four national titles, like Sergio Morón, but since that Sunday, Javier has become the only one to win four Spanish Championships consecutively, and all this aboard a P.R.E. proving that this breed is competitive against warmblood, even at levels below Grand Prix.

Young Riders podium: Luz, Guillen, Garcia

The silver medal went to Mireia Luz (210.134), who bid farewell to her great partner in the arena. The 19-year old Royal Thunder will be retired from sport. Since their debut in June 2019, Mireia has added several medals to her collection (2020 bronze Juveniles 0*, 2021 silver Juveniles 0*, 2022 gold Juveniles 1*, and 2023 silver Juveniles 1*).

With a total score of 209.992, it was Pablo García made his individual medal debut and got the bronze. Aboard Juan Antonio Jimenez' 8-year old Dutch warmblood Let It Go (by Tiesto x Spielberg) he was never far off from the three favourites for the podium placed. Garcia scored 68.353% in the team test, 70.059% in the individual and 71.58% in the freestyle. He totalled 209.992 points. With a beautiful entrance in walk to the sound of Madonna's “Just Like a Prayer,” Garcia began his freestyle, linking a series of three-tempis and then a half-pirouette in canter. The test presented high technical difficulty, notably a diagonal from F to K on which he performed a half-pirouette at each letter, a very precise and challenging combination which he executed with distinction. Pablo rode the trot section to “Self Control” by Laura Branigan, with only a minor fault in an transition from walk to trot, in which he had some canter strides.

In Conclusion

The Spanish Championship is a major source of motivation for youth riders, as the event of the year for them. The atmosphere was jovial. This championship serves as observation and starting point for the following season for the technical team of the national federation.

Results - 2024 Spanish Youth Championships - Camarma de Esterualas

Children

1. Triana Vargas Angulo - Don Corleone - 79.7 78.409 74.078 --- 232.187
2. Ònia Maldonado Baliarda - Dinky Toy Van Het Bloemenhof - 72.759 78.066 74.719 --- 225.544
3. Aitana Morales Hermosilla - Jerte De Valduma - 76.684 75.975 72.61 --- 225.269
4. Alejandro Navarro Sánchez - Inquieta Fsr - 72.608 76.142 75.44 --- 224.19
5. Mar Pena Rios - Brandour Bcn - 77.809 75.042 70.017 --- 222.868
6. Curro Ramirez Morales - Koningshoek Florian - 73.9 73.3 75.191 --- 222.391
7. Francisco Antonio González Szarvas - Guaro V - 73.284 72.142 74.514 --- 219.94
8. Teresa Monllor Paya - Heredero-ven - 73.483 72.742 72.326 --- 218.551
9. Paula Carlos De Bergara Enguidanos - Xacobeo Iii - 71.075 74.767 71.31 --- 217.152
10. Ariane Alonso Fuentes - Mr. Bean La Campana - 71.142 72.867 70.749 --- 214.758
11. Jimena Cilla Valcarcel - Discordio Ii - 66.325 74.417 70.804 --- 211.546
12. Joana Morera Raihle - Furioso Cxxxvii - 70.409 70.925 68.101 --- 209.435
13. Alejandra Navarro Garcia - Italico Xii - 70.4 68.784 69.631 --- 208.815
14. Fiona Rojas Vieyra Zahonek - Soldador Eucalipto - 70.992 69.517 68.19 --- 208.699
15 Cayetana Alcocer Jaquotot - Boneco Do Pinheiro - 69.467 70.95 66.923 --- 207.34
16. Celia Portillo Mañez - Cañero Oh - 69.667 72.134 65.255 --- 207.056
17. Blanca Gutierrez Sanchez - Novicia De La Abadia - 71.509 67.842 65.991 --- 205.342
18. Chiara Llovera Gallo - Vegas - 68.625 71.367 62.371 --- 202.363

Junior Riders

1. Hugo Melida Gomez - Goya A - 69.97 69.471 75.25 --- 214.691
2. Laia García Navarro - Golddigger - 69.212 70.677 71.905 --- 211.794
3. María Campo Loza - Stendley Hit - 68.606 70.176 72.895 --- 211.677
4. Mia Yagüe Antelo - Sir Romancier - 69.121 69.735 71.585 --- 210.441
5. Andrea Lozano Cadenas - Roland - 67.091 68.676 70.87 --- 206.637
6. Claudia Lledo Ros - Cocktail - 66.455 68.235 71.015 --- 205.705
7. Martina Delgado Portillo - Lemen's Star - 67.576 68.147 69.54 --- 205.263
8. María Pacheco García - Auric Absolut - 68.061 65.5 71.095 --- 204.656
9. Leire Hernández Ruiz - Tormenta De La Vega - 67.03 68.5 67.38 --- 202.91
10. Jeanette Vallvé Martin - Zanon - 66.303 66.176 69.015 --- 201.494
11. Martin Aragon Martin - Sir Medano - 66.273 66.353 67.91 --- 200.536
12. Rocío Bernabeu Sala - Crack De Boada - 65.424 67.0 68.025 --- 200.449
13. Maria Badell Sanchez - Lets Go Crazy - 63.909 67.353 68.945 --- 200.207
14. Ainhoa González Flores - Lands - 65.636 67.088 67.16 --- 199.884
15. Angela Viladrich Setuain - Dance - 65.697 66.029 66.685 --- 198.411
16. Andreu Barber Mesquida - Lluent Iv - 65.727 65.647 65.875 --- 197.249
17. Fernando Guerrero Cadenas - Eolo De Encinasola - 64.727 66.912 61.845 --- 193.484

Young Riders

1. Javier Guillén Callejas - Resuelto as - 69.882 69.853 73.03 --- 212.765
2. Mireia Luz Konovalova - Royal Thunder 68.735 70.529 70.87 --- 210.134
3. Pablo García Cobos - Let It Go T - 68.353 70.059 71.58 --- 209.992
4. Bruno Cid Romero - Fernando - 67.294 70.441 71.08 --- 208.815
5. María Bech Salvatella - Showtime - 69.412 68.765 69.865 --- 208.042
6. Héctor Condado Ramírez - Pinky Swear - 66.059 68.765 68.885 --- 203.709
7. Juan José Ruiz Esteban - Jerezano Bcn - 65.794 67.353 70.415 --- 203.562
8. Marta Villaescusa Bueno. - Frascati F - 66.588 67.971 68.625 --- 203.184
9. Carlota Marzal Ansón U - topico Ovl - 65.147 67.323 70.625 --- 203.095
10. Wanda Gleixner García - Donaldson - 65.382 67.824 69.83 --- 203.036
11. Lucía Borreda Ribes - Bombon De Vida - 65.882 66.441 70.355 --- 202.678
12. Alex Condés Marchal - Rubin Cartier - 66.118 67.441 67.025 --- 200.584
13. Xènia Sirés Garriga - Kk's Hey Brother - 66.294 65.706 68.395 --- 200.395
14. Ane Barcon Ruiz De Erentxun - Juventus De Sena - 65.206 67.029 67.41 --- 199.645
15. Ángela Herrera García - Rock Star - 67.118 67.971 64.15 --- 199.239
16. Daniela Muñoz Otero - Brentana - 66.294 66.265 65.635 --- 198.194
17. Alexandra Iturri De Esteban - Firefly - 65.647 65.941 64.965 --- 196.553
18. Jaime Gregorio Valero - Rock It - 70.029 69.794 ELI --- 139.823