Young Riders Academy announces Team 2022
Jean Maurice Bonneau, Otto Becker and Emile Hendrix – members of this year Selection Panel – together with YRA Board, following a careful assessment of attitude, motivation, and technical skills of the twenty-four candidates, formulated the official evaluation regarding the Young Riders Academy Team 2022.
Six riders among the 24 made it to Full Program team: Zoe Osterhoff and Philipp Schultze-Topphof from Germany, Joseph Stockdale from UK, Conor McMahon from Ireland, Sofia Manzetti from Italy, and Ignatio Astolfi from Spain.
Five are the athletes entering this year’s squad for Educational Program: Joanna Schildknecht and Gilles Müller from Switzerland, Egor Shchibrik from Russia, Alexander Housen from Belgium, and Gaj Riossa from Slovakia.
“ The philosophy that inspired the creation of YRA was certainly to support emerging talents; although we must bear in mind that, in addition to technical skills, other aspects are essential for the good practice of our sport. Lack of support, psychological issues, region of origin – those based in decentralized areas have fewer opportunities to find adequate facilities and training – and, indeed, financial matters. These are the principles that have guided us in this year’s evaluation” stated President Eleonora Ottaviani.
Emile Hendrix, member of selection panel since the first year, makes it clear: “The level of applicants is clearly growing year by year; the consequence is that being good is not enough. The new young riders have serious goals, and they are eager to work hard for them. We, as observers, are looking for those qualities that make differences; of course, talents and goals, but ambition, emotion and management are key nowadays”.
“Primarily, I want to thank those who have believed in the program and supported it. The fact that all National Federations, including the major ones, aspire to include their young talents in the YRA program, is indeed proof of the validity of the project” affirmed Otto Becker as member of Sport team.
The closing statement comes from Vice President Breido Graf zu Rantzau who declared: “We are pleased to follow so many of the YRA riders attending major international events with excellent results, but, above all, we are gratified to see them growing on the right track from a human standpoint”.
The Training group for 2022 will be coordinate by chef d’equipe Jean Maurice Bonneau and consist of: Jos Lansink, Franke Sloothaak, Marco Kutcher, Ben, Wim, Gerco Schröder, and, from this year, Rob Ehrens.
Both Teams, as usual, will meet in Lugano in the next months for the 2022 program kick off at Franklin University of Switzerland. Following sessions will occur in Sweden – Upsala University, France – Cadre Noir de Saumur, Switzerland – FEI Lausanne and Rolex Headquarters in Geneve.
The Young Riders Academy is a program 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. Founded in 2014 by Athenaeum, a non-profit association, the program will offer talented riders between the ages of 18 and 23 the chance to train for several months at an international professional stable. On top, qualified education in communication, business & economics, veterinary and legal practice related to show jumping. The objective is to develop future champions and potential managers of this sport.
www.ridersacademy.eu
Photo Credit: YRA Fabio Petroni
