France claimed the Junior Individual and Young Rider Team titles at the FEI European Eventing Championships for Juniors and Young Riders on home turf at Jardy (FRA). And last year’s silver medallists from Ireland claimed Junior Team gold, while Finland’s Elmo Jankari topped the Young Rider Individual podium.
Nothing was easily won at these 2013 Championships, with appalling weather conditions during yesterday’s cross-country phase testing the skill and resolve of both horses and riders. Heavy rain failed to dampen young ambition however, and despite some late alterations to Pierre Michelet’s cross-country track the event continued to a thrilling finale today.

Juniors

A total of 88 riders from 21 countries – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine – were represented in the Junior category, and 17 nations fielded teams.

Germany firmly took the early lead with a team score of 124.40 when Flora Reemtsma (River of Joy), Rebecca-Juana Gerken (Elektra) and Pauline Knorr (Abke’s Boy) filled the top three places after dressage. Great Britain lay in silver medal spot almost 12 points adrift while the Irish were close behind in third ahead of Switzerland in fourth place. But this was never going to be a Championship won in the dressage arena, and things changed radically on cross-country day.

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