Europe’s next generation of Drivers compete for Championship honours in Hungary

FEI Driving European Youth Championship, Kisbér-Ászár (HUN): U25, Juniors & Children - P1, P2, H1

Host nation Hungary clinched two individual titles and team bronze at the FEI Driving European Youth Championship in Kisbér-Ászár, with brilliant brothers Bertold & Péter Juhász taking the Children P1 (12-14 years) and Junior P2 classes (14-18 years). 

Leading from the front after securing first place in the dressage, Péter became European Junior P2 (pony pair) Champion while Bertold held his nerve in a closely fought Children P1 (single pony) class to win by a mere one point ahead of Spain’s Daniel Pineda Andic. Both brothers kept their cool to produce double clear cones rounds on the final day, over designer Alexander Flocke’s (GER) course.

Their versatile ponies – Beniamin, Zsoldos, Holló & Black – multi-prize winners in various combinations, from singles to four-in-hands, rose to the occasion to help their young drivers win these coveted titles.

With a European Youth Championship only last year in Sélestat (FRA), a Covid-postponed event rolled over from 2020, many of the same athletes returned to this on-schedule fixture a year later. Retaining her title from 2021, Lisa Maria Tischer (GER) won the Under 25 P1 category with the consistent Great Dancer, sealing first places in the dressage and marathon, plus a clear in the cones, to take their top-of-the podium place by nearly 5 points. 

Improving on her silver medal from 2021, in the Junior P1 section Renate Provoost (NED) won gold with her New Forest pony Quibus. Stepping into the next age category to take silver was Ireland’s Kris Rohrssen, last year’s Children P1 winner, maintaining his great form with Checkmate, only 1.99 points behind.   

Another athlete accustomed to the podium, Jorn Van Olst (NED), only just secured the gold in the U25 P2 by a slither, 0.24 ahead of Maria Buchwald (DEN). Maria’s dressage test set her up well but she fell behind on the marathon, then both drivers produced faultless cones rounds. Yet it was Jorn’s quicker times through the obstacles which boosted his overall performance.

One of the clearest winning margins came from Ciara Schubert (GER) and the experienced campaigner Energy 19 to take the U25 H1 (single horse) win. Ahead of Sweden’s Linnea Kristiansen by nearly 7 points, Ciara didn’t lead in any phases but produced enough consistency to gain the gold.

With national team results swapping around from last summer, it was The Netherlands who took gold, ahead of last year’s winners Germany. Hungary nudged beyond Sweden by a mere 1.3 points to take bronze. With six athletes per team, selected from across the categories, and the three best scores per phase going into the mix, it was a hotly contested competition.

A warm Hungarian welcome was appreciated by the athletes, their families and supporters, many of them having travelled for some days over long distances to get to the popular event venue west of Budapest. The customary Nation’s Night kick-started the social side, ahead of the veterinary inspections then two days of dressage on Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s marathon ran to the newer FEI format of initial warm-up then Section B with six obstacles, the Children’s’ class having to negotiate fewer gates; they were also set a slightly shorter cones route on the final day. 

The organisers made everyone attending aware of the geo-political challenges facing the region and items such as fuel and electricity had to be rationed. But even the rain didn’t dampen spirits, despite making the going on the marathon slippery, and with such an array of talent amongst these youth drivers – 98 athletes from 17 countries – many of them from established driving families whose parents and grandparents also compete, the future of the sport is indeed a rosy one.

Full Results here

Caption:
Lisa Marie Tischer (GER) winner of the Under 25 P1 at the FEI Driving European Youth Championship 2022, Kisbér-Ászár (HUN)
Copyright ©FEI/Amy Mundell