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While
in the first qualifier of the European Youngster
Cup, the 1.40 category, 27 riders had gone clear in
the first round, the 1.45 class was considerably
more difficult, in a course designed by Rolf Lüdi
(CH). 35 riders competed in this challenging course
that asked especially for technical expertise, in
view of the upcoming European Championships in
Prague (CZE). In the end, it was only the
experienced Swiss rider Simon Bürki, from the show
yard of Paul Bücheler in Amriswil (CH), who managed
to deliver two clear rounds. With his 11-year old
Westfalian-branded Quattro B daughter Quanta Costa,
he managed to leave fellow Swiss rider Sergio Syfrig
(CH) and Scally (by Cheenook) behind, and also
placed before German amazone Stefanie Paul (GER) who
had bad luck at the last jump with Leoni P and thus
lost her chance of winning the class. The same
happened to Paul on Sunday in the Young Riders'
Grand Prix, which was won by Simone Blum (GER) with
Kassandro. Neuendorf marked the second EYCup win
this year for Simon Bürki who had previously ridden
Queensland to victory at Lamprechtshausen (AUT). |
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Under best possible
conditions and in bright sunshine, the 2008 EYCup
was held in Switzerland for the very first time.
Show organizers Willi Melliger and Samuel Bosshard,
supported by EYCup initiator Rudolf Hindelang
brought the series to Neuendorf. As part of the SJJ,
the Swiss Junior Jumping, the first qualifier for
the 1.40 category took place today. 63 riders from 5
nations had arrived to negotiate the sophisticated
course by course designer Rolf Lüdi (CH). 27 of them
went clear in the first round and qualified for the
winning round. "There were rather a lot of riders
who went through to the winning round," says Niklaus
Wigger, responsible for the youngsters at the Swiss
Equestrian Federation, "but this was because most of
the riders partcipatingare currently preparing for
the European Championships in Prague (CZE) and their
riding is at their best. This makes it rather
difficult for any course designer to find the right
route, because horses and riders are in top form
here."
In the end, it was the young trainer Luc Grognuz, in
the saddle of a borrowed horse from Mellinger,
Vedette van de Koeboshoeve (by Clinton) who led the
way through the winning round. Although the other
riders tried to attack with lightning speed, none of
them could beat the time. 2nd and 3rd place went to
two excellently riding amazones: Stephanie Gass with
her experienced mount Tomgar Rocky, and Stefanie
Lauber, daughter of former Swiss top rider Stefan
Lauber, who competed with Chrescada. At the
prizegiving, the winners were especially pleased
with the wonderful special prizes that were donated
by internationally renowned jeweller Thomas Szabo.
The idea behind the EYCup concept was very
positively received in Switzerland, and trainers and
parents alike expressed their desire to the show
organizers for a continuation of the series in 2009.
Also present were several show organizers from
Belgium and the Netherlands who expressed an
interest to hold the EYCup in their own countries
next season. This means that the vision of Rudolf
Hindelang for the international young riders is
really bearing fruit, especially since now, in
addition to Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland
two further countries, namely the Netherlands and
Belgium, may now join. It now remains to be seen
which other internationally renowned venues will
open their doors to the EYCup youngsters for 2009.
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