Equestrian News :: Everything Horse

The 2019 Young Riders Academy (YRA) team have celebrated graduating the programme, in this the sixth edition of the project designed to educate and give young riders invaluable experience.

With “2020 selections days” coming up shortly, in Peelbergen, the 2019 team consisted of;

Wilma Marklund, SWE; Vaclav Stanek, CZE; Elin Ott, SUI; Justine Tebbel, GER; Susan Fitzpatrick, IRL; Amy Inglis, GBR; Michael Pender, IRL; Alexa Stais, RSA; Sophie Hinners, GER; Felix Koller, AUT, are the riders from team 2019 who had been welcomed at Fei Headquarters in Lausanne to end with the Reward Ceremony.

The YRA, now entering the seventh program, is an initiative conceived for European talented young show jumpers, with the cooperation of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and the support of Rolex since its first edition.

I strongly believe this is a very motivating project where we, as young riders, receive a lot of support”

Commented Irelands Michael Pender.

We get training from the best professionals and we have the chance to participate in the biggest events in our sport. Next to the riding, we are offered the educational session on key topics as economics, communication, veterinary and doping issues; all key subjects to be aware of. I am very thankful to all the people that are standing behind YRA to make this happen! “

he continued.

At the end of its sixth edition, this project is still meeting the endorsement of Federations, Top Riders, Organizers and Sponsors; it makes YRA team proud and it gives the strength to constantly improve.

Founded in 2014 by Athenaeum, a non-profit association, the program will give talented riders between the ages of 18 and 23 the chance to live and train for several months at a well-known professional stable. On top of it, professional education in communication, business and economics, veterinary and legal practice related to show jumping. The goal is to grow future champions as well as potential managers of this sport.

For further information visit The Riders Academy website

Photo Credit: YRA Fabio Pertroni

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.