Young Riders Academy announces Team 2016

Lugano, May  2016 – Five riders among the 28 made it to Full Program team, while six of them entered in this year Educational Program team; “this year the Board and the Selection Panel have really had a very challenging task in choosing the final team, National Federations presented to selection 2016 a group of athletes exceptionally motivated and technically prepared” commented Sven Holmberg, Sport Manager.

The Full Program offers six months of “tailor-made” training and boarding at a renowned professional stable and includes qualified education in communication, business and economics, veterinary and legal practice connected to show jumping. The Educational Program team will gather during the year for the 4\5 academic sessions, this team will also benefit from YRA support during jumping seasons.

Full Program: Cassandra Braeckmans (BEL ),  Jack Dodd (IRL ), Pål Flam (NOR), Eoin McMahon (IRL ), Emma O´Dwyer(GBR ). Part of this year team will also be Laura Klaphake (GER ) already nominated during 2015 selection.
Educational Program: Derin Demirsoy (TUR), Laetitia Du Couëdic (SUI), Michael Duffy (IRL ), Giampiero Garofalo (ITA),Spencer Roe (GBR), Basile Rubio (FRA).

A special mention to Adam Grzegorzewski (POL) and  Ventsislav Izov (BUL) who had been outstanding in both riding and interview; due to their very young age they have been appointed for next years program. 
“We want to thank all European National Federations for their support, their growing interest in this project is a great honor for all of us” declared moreover Eleonora Ottaviani, President of the Board. 
Both Teams  will meet in Lugano in June for the 2016 program kick off at Franklin University of Switzerland.

 The young Riders Academy is a program conceived for European talented young show jumpers, under the patronage of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), with the cooperation of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and the support of Rolex.
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 get six months of training and boarding at a well-known professional stable. On top of that, professional education in communication, business and economics, veterinary and legal practice related to show jumping. The objective is to develop future champions as well as potential managers of this sport.

For further information: our mail and web page
 Photo Credit: YRA

May 17th 2016