Successful ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS 2024: National triumphs and sustainable innovations

After five days of exciting show jumping, the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS 2024 came to an end with the final competitions for the pony riders and the Grand Prix in the Children, Juniors and U25 categories. The young riders demonstrated their skills in front of an international audience with impressive sporting performances and national triumphs. This year’s motto “Ways to Win” not only promoted sporting competition, but also raised awareness of the ethical and sustainable treatment of horses. The first-time certification as a sustainable event emphasises the focus on environmental awareness and social responsibility. In cooperation with the Pro Pferd Foundation, the “Horse Welfare Award” was once again presented to promote the respectful treatment of horses.

Zurich/Dielsdorf, 26 August 2024 – The ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS 2024 set new standards in the promotion of young talent and the integration of sustainability and ethics in equestrian sport. Over 170 young show jumpers with more than 350 horses from 16 nations competed on the beautiful grounds of the Horse Park Zurich-Dielsdorf, underlining the growing international significance of the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS.

Yves von Ballmoos, initiator and show director, draws a very positive conclusion: “In addition to the very pleasing and outstanding quality of the sporting competitions, we have also managed to successfully promote the principles of respect, innovation and care in equestrian sport. In doing so, we are not only making a valuable contribution to the promotion of young talent, but are also providing important impetus for the future of equestrian sport. It is particularly pleasing that, as part of our strategy to promote young talent in the show organisation, various roles and departments have been taken over by young, highly committed OC members for the first time. Without the great support of our long-standing and new partners and sponsors, as well as the countless volunteers who worked hard to ensure that the show ran smoothly, it would not be possible to organise such an event.”

Highlights of the Grand Prix on the final day

At the end of the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS 2024, which were held under the patronage of Swiss Equestrian Talents, the new Swiss youth programme of the Straumann family, the Grand Prix in the various categories provided excitement and sporting highlights. Switzerland’s Victoria Scherbakov won the pony riders’ final over 1.25 metres with her pony Tankardstown Dreamer. Two pairs had qualified for the jump-off with four faults each in the round. Both stayed clear in the jump-off, but Victoria secured victory with the faster time. Mette Demmler from Germany dominated the field with her horse Can Jump Zwei in the subsequent Grand Prix of the children’s category over 1.30 metres. The competition was fiercely contested, with a total of eight pairs qualifying for the jump-off with clear rounds in the normal round. Five pairs again went clear in the jump-off. However, Mette Demmler secured first place with the absolute fastest time.

Winners receive wildcards for the CHI Basel and the CHI Geneva

44 riders competed in the Junior Grand Prix over 1.40 metres, 14 of whom qualified for the barrage with clear rounds in the first round. In the final round, only five pairs remained clear again. Swiss junior rider Lou Puch and her horse Hendrick’s HX completed the jump-off course the fastest, securing victory. As a special honour, Lou Puch also received a wild card for the CHI Basel, which enables her to take part in this important international tournament.

26 riders had qualified for the final Grand Prix of the CSI U25 over 1.45 metres. Only two pairs managed a clear first round in the challenging course set by course designer Reto Ruflin and thus made it into the all-Swiss jump-off: Alicia Stoffel on Decalco, Lou Puch on Vitalhorse Un Amour la Goula and Ruben Bek on Conacco. In the barrage, Puch had one and Bek two faults, while Alicia Stoffel and Decalco once again remained clear and secured the prestigious victory. As an additional reward, the lucky winner received a wildcard for the CHI Geneva in December. These results underline the high quality of the young Swiss riders and the challenging tasks that they successfully mastered at the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS 2024.

Another success: Swiss teams shine in the Nations Cups

The Swiss juniors repeated their success from the previous year and won the home nations’ prize at the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS in Dielsdorf with just eight penalty points. The team led by team manager Conny Notz clearly beat the competition. After the first round, the Swiss were in second place behind Italy with eight points thanks to a clear round from Philippa Bisang on Canabis de la Folie and two four-point rides from Malin Cavegn on Nikias Ligie and Sacha Bek on Ureka de Roy. In the second round, Bek, Cavegn and Ethan Meijer, who was the scratch result in the first round with eight points, all remained clear. Final rider Bisang no longer had to compete as the victory was already secured. Switzerland won by a clear margin of just eight points ahead of Ireland (25 points) and Denmark (29 points).

The children also secured victory at home in the Nations Cup. Matilda Larsson on Dover and Jordan Scherbakov with Killossery Krescendo, who both rode double clear, laid the foundation. Anic Michel finished with four and eight points on Apriori d’Yvmane. Lorena Stella Hauri with E Borussia did not have to compete again after a clear first round, as the victory was already clear with eight points. Italy took second place with 16 points, followed by Ireland with 23 points.

Head of Equestrian Conny Notz praised the discipline and commitment of her young riders: “Our teams have once again shown that they are capable of top performances even under pressure. This double success at the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS underlines the strong work of young talent in Swiss equestrian sport and the continuous promotion of young talent. These great performances are also team successes, to which the environment with families, grooms, horse owners and supporters makes a decisive contribution and whose strong support is of great importance to us. It is particularly noteworthy that the members of the winning junior team were not in the European Championship team and were called up to the team due to their good form and performance. This shows that we now have a broader base here too, which makes me very happy.” Following the last qualifying stage of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth in Zurich, it is now clear that the Swiss teams have qualified for the final in Lier, Belgium, in mid-September.

Recognising ethics in equestrian sport: presentation of the Horse Welfare Award

True to the motto “Ways to Win”, which stands for sustainability and respect in equestrian sport, the Pro Pferd Horse Welfare Award was presented on Saturday evening. With this award, the Pro Pferd Foundation honours riders who distinguish themselves through exemplary horsemanship in and outside the arena. Ursula May from the Pro Pferd Foundation, Thomas Haesler as Chief Steward and Rafael Huber from the organising committee of the ZURICH YOUTH MASTERS attended the award ceremony. This year’s winners are Jolie Marie Kühner with Team Kühner and Sascha Bek with Team Bek. The award underlines the importance of ethical standards in equestrian sport and recognises the dedicated work of the award winners for the benefit of their horses.

Luca Moneta impresses with his horsemanship show

Another highlight was the impressive show by Italian champion rider Luca Moneta, who wowed the audience with his natural horsemanship approach. Moneta showed the importance of trust and communication between rider and horse and his performance was an inspiring demonstration of ethics and respect in equestrian sport. The two participating horse and rider pairs started on Thursday with an initial training session in which Moneta laid the foundations of communication in the round pen. The next day, they built on this in joint training and attempted their first jumps. The show on Saturday evening began with the presentation of the competition videos, which showed the horses’ first challenges. Despite minor setbacks, a clear improvement in the horses’ behaviour could be seen thanks to Moneta’s tips. The two participants Nathalie Straubinger and Aron Spichiger were very satisfied and emphasised how much they were able to take away from the training sessions.

Pictures © by Katja Stuppia

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