FEI Children's World Jumping Final

Mark Bluman Donskoy of Columbia edged out 31 junior riders from 13 countries to claim the title of 2005 F.E.I. Children’s International Jumping Champion held November 22 through 27 at Hummingbird Nest Ranch.

Riding Blue Bayou, an 8-year old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Allison Van Sickle, the 14-year old Bluman Donskoy rode a clear round in the finals and beat out his only other competitor, Matias Bayas Erazo of Ecuador by 1.12 seconds.

Bluman Donskoy is the current national Champion of Columbia, whose brother Daniel, won this Final last year. “I had a great horse and my confidence grew each day,” said Mark.

Allison Van Sickle, the 13-year old from Camarillo, California, who loaned Bluman Donskoy the mount, finished fifth in the finals and said, “I am so excited that my horse Blue won and that Mark could have this great experience!”

The 2nd place winner Matias Bayas Erazo (Ecuador) was on board “Angelo”, a 12 year old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brittney Allyn. The 3rd place winner was Luis Fernando Larrazabal of Venezuela, who rode Cosmos 36, an 8-year old Holsteiner gelding owned by Alec Lawler.

The event featured 32 competitors ranging in age from 12 to 14. Half of the competitors were from the United States and the other half from other countries. The 16 riders from the host country supplied two horses each for use in the competition. At the beginning of the week, a draw took place that determined the horse/rider pairing. The “home” team was assured one of its own horses. After the drawing, there were training sessions, a warm-up class, and two qualifying rounds. The top 16 riders earned their spot in the finals and the other 16 rode in the Farewell competition.

Top Finishers in the Final Competition:
Mark Bluman Donskoy (Columbia), Blue Bayou, 0-0 faults, 37.02
Matias Bayas Erazo (Ecuador) Angelo, 0-0 faults, 38.14
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (Venezuela), Cosmos 36, 1 fault, 80.63
Julianna Fisher (United States), KLM Jimmy, 1 fault, 81.47
Allison Van Sickle (United States) Amazing Grace, 1 fault, 82.15
Richard Neal (United States), Swish, 4 faults, 77.35
Luis Fernando Muro Moleiro (Venezuela), Sbrutsch, 4 faults, 77.45
Alec Lawler (United States) Aberdeen, 4 faults, 78.43
Rachel Verleur-Jani (United States), 8 faults, 75.65
Tomas Moraes Dantas (Brazil), 8 faults, 79.61

FEI Children’s International Jumping Final 2-2-2

Top Finishers in the Farewell Competition:
Isabel Jolicoeur, (United States), La Crosse, 0 faults, 60.11
Jake Krembil (Canada), Pamina, 0 faults, 61.49
Brittney Allyn (Untied States), Texas, 0 faults, 66.64
Zazou Hoffman (United States), Copenhagan, 0 faults, 68.95
Katherine Stewart (Australia), Lunar Eclipse, 0 faults, 70.57
Ella Cornell (United States), Poeme, 0 faults, 73.06
Alejandro Vila (Guatemala), Elvenstar’s Lamborghini, 0 faults, 73.31
Victoria Birdsall (United States), Montserrat, 4 faults, 66.50
Paige Kirwin (United States), Gangster, 4 faults, 67.19
Astrid Chalendard (France), Mandell, 4 faults, 68.76

The 2005 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final was first introduced in 1995 to promote the sport of horse jumping among the youth in an international level. Over the past 9 years, Finals has been held in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Japan, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The competition was the brainchild of FEI technical delegate, Dr. Noel Vanososte, who in 1946 was the children’s champion of Venezuela. He says, “This year brought the best show level of horses with high standards being met.”

complete results on http://www.hummingbirdnestranch.com/