Youth and the Scottish highlands have come together this year for the 27th edition of the FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders in the stunning location of Blair Castle with 52 young riders from 14 nations eyeing up the coveted title. As the Dressage leg comes to a close, the future of European Eventing is gently but surely unfolding with great talent and aspirations abound.

The actual category for Young Riders only came into being in 1979 in order to bridge the gap from Junior to Senior as it was often thought that it was a rather large leap. As soon as 1981 the first European Championships were being hosted in the town of Achselschwang (FRG). These Championships set the trend as the British took team gold that inaugural year and would then go on to take 13 of the 26 made available to date… This was confirmed again last year in Pardubice (CZE) where the British took both team gold and individual. Nonetheless, the Germans have never been far from the action, having won 8 times while the French have won 3 titles.

Suspense is rife this year as we conclude the Dressage leg and find none other than the Germans in first place, followed by France and the Netherlands while Great Britain is nestled in 7th place among the 10 teams competing. Individually, Mark Van der Huub from the Netherlands with Exquis Idem du Roc is in the lead while Sabrina Mertens and Sandra Auffarth from Germany are not far behind. But nothing is set in stone at this stage as tomorrows’ much awaited Cross Country, by Course Designer Ronald Alexander, looms in foreground.

For full results, please consult the official website at:
http://www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk/event/young-rider-results.asp