Young Riders Academy Team 2018 accomplished the program and graduates in Geneva

Lugano (SUI) – March 9 – 2019 – The team, again for this fifth edition, and as per YRA official program, had been welcomed at Fei Headquarters by President De Vos in Lausanne, then in Geneva at Rolex headquarters by the Sponsoring group, to end with the Reward Ceremony.
“Since the beginning, our main goal has been, and still is, to make these girls and boys aware of what a great champion needs in terms of skills, knowledge, fair play and ethics” claimed Eleonora Ottaviani, Athenaeum President.  “We’ve tried to contribute to the training of young athletes eager to learn, to grow, to be part of a team. Athletes prepared to put themselves under discussion, ready to accept diversity and enthusiastic about building something together” continued Ottaviani, “and this 2018 Team met indeed expectations as the previous ones” concluded.

“I think this is a very motivating project where we, as young riders, receive a lot of support on the sport side. We have the chance to participate to the biggest events in the world and we get training from the best. Next to the riding part we are offered the educational session on key topics as veterinary, contamination and doping issues, legal aspects, economics; all very important subjects in our sport. I am very thankful to all the people that are standing behind YRA to make all this happen!” stated Pieter Clemens after the ceremony.

“We have seen how training must be organized individually both in quality and quantity. We are so grateful to “our main trainers”, Jos Lansink, Franke Sloothaak, Marco Kutscher, Jean-Maurice Bonneau and Ben Schröder who share their experiences and deep knowledge not only on how to ride but also on how to manage the sport” declared Sven Holmberg as Sport Manager.
Emile Hendrix, as part of Selection Panel, closed YRA 5th edition with a recommendation to riders: “I would like to give some advice to the privileged riders who were chosen over the last five years. Always be thankful and respectful to your parents, owners, sponsors, everyone who is part of your team and last but not least your horses.  I would like you to remind the following quote: don’t ask what the horse can do for you but ask what you can do for your horse and feel blessed every day that you’re able to get back into the saddle”.

Part of YRA Team 2018 had been:  Harry Charles, GBR; Ventsislav Izov, BUL; Lisa Nooren, NED; Jenny Rankin, IRL; Lisa Ulven, NOR; Chloe Whinchester, GBR; Pieter Clemens, BEL; Guido Franchi, ITA; Matteo Leonardi, ITA; Dimme d´Haese, BEL; Christopher Kläsener, GER; Darragh Ryan, IRL.

The Young Riders Academy Press Release