Shimomura, Banda, Takamatsu, Yoshida Win 2026 Japanese Youth Riders Championships

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2026 Japanese Youth Riders Championships

Children rider Risa Shimomura, junior rider Mai Banda, young rider Yuki Takamats, and U25 rider Yurie Yoshida became the winners of the 2026 Japanese Youth Riders Championships in Gotemba, Japan, on 5 - 6 September 2026.

The 43rd edition of the Japanese Youth Championships featured five divisions: Young Riders, Junior Riders, Children, and two Under 30 Championship at Grand Prix and Intermediaire I level. Two rounds counted for the overall ranking. The Japan Equestrian Federation runs different age limits than the FEI. Children can be aged between 10 - 16 (FEI 12 - 14), Young Riders can be aged up to 22 (FEI up to 21) and in Japan there is an Under 30 division that mimics the Under 25 Grand Prix class.

Children: Risa Shimomura

The popular children division saw 26 pairs in the first round and the top 15 scorers moved to the second round.

The gold medal was for Risa Shimomura on Samprimera who was first in the first round with 67.917% and third in the second round with 66.792%, but the pair totalled the highest overall score and got the title.

"We are so happy," said Risa. "Yesterday we weren't able to complete the course as carefully as we would have liked, so today we tried our best to do so carefully. There were a few things we didn't quite achieve, but I think we did well. Last year we relied entirely on the horse and came in 5th place, so this year I wanted to do my best on my own, and thanks to Florence and Samprimera (whom I rode last year), I've gained confidence and can now ride with enjoyment. I'm so grateful to Samprimera. I'll praise her a lot and give her lots of carrots and apples."

Miyu Ueno and Femme Fatale (Mizuguchi Riding Club) got silver after a second place (67.014%) and a first (67.417%%), and Seri Suzuki and Joshua Integrity (Riding Club Crane Tokyo) secured the bronze medal with a third place (66.181%) and a second place (67.292%).

Junior Riders: Mai Banda

Eighteen pairs competed in the junior rider division (U14 - 18) and eight moved to the freestyle final.

Last year's bronze medal winner Mai Banda and BUM Fleur (BUM Equine) took first place in the first round with a high score of 69.192% and also dominated the freestyle to win the title.

"My goal was to win first place in both the first round and the freestyle, so I'm happy that I was able to achieve that," said Mai. "Yesterday I was aiming for a stable performance, but today I was riding my favorite kur, so I wanted to have fun and give a performance that would captivate everyone. I made almost no mistakes and had a lot of fun riding."

Kokona Kato (ESJ) got silver aboard Belle Fleur (66.010%) and bronze went to Kakeru Yamatsuta aboard Onikage.

Young Riders: Yuki Takamatsu

Nineteen riders competed in the Young Riders division which spans the ages of 16 to 22 (and not the FEI cut-off age of 21). The twelve best scoring pairs, who scored above 60%, moved to the freestyle round.

Last year's bronze medal winner Yuki Takamatsu (Irish Aran Riding School) got off to a good start, taking first place with 66.500% on Hermes Der II and third place on Gita Filet Desita with 65.765% in the first round. She competed Hermes in the freestyle on Sunday and won with 71,280%, capturing the gold medal and title.

"I'm so happy and full of joy. I couldn't stop crying even after it was over," said Takamatsu. "Starting from the Children's category, it took me nine attempts to finally win the Young Rider Championship. It feels like it's been a long journey, but at the same time, I feel like it went by a little too quickly, learning and gaining experience from watching my seniors. Hermes is a reliable horse, a teacher, and an indispensable and important partner. It has always been my dream to win the Hermes Award with Hermes, so I'm so happy that it has come true. I want to continue working hard and stay in the equestrian industry."

Second place went to Ryusei Funakoshi on Ewiger Glanz M (Meiji University Equestrian Club), who had 66.353% in the first round and 66n68% in the Kur. The bronze medal went to Kenshin Matsuoka and Gracia (Shizuoka Riding Club).

Under 25/30: Yurie Yoshida

In the Under 25 Grand Prix divisions, for riders aged up to 30, there were only three pairs competing.

Yurie Yoshida and the 15-year old Bavarian bred Dark Diamond (by Destano x Rohdiamant) won gold with 66.000% and 63,239%. The silver was for lst year's champion Toshimi Yasuda on the 20-year old Dutch warmblood Bernardau (by Uptown x Bustron) with 61.912% and 60,978%. Satsuki Watanabe and Absinthe (stable comfy) got bronze with 61.853% and 6O,152%.