Excitement is building and anticipation rising for the FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors, and the FEI European Championship for Juniors and Young Vaulters that are returning to Switzerland for the first time since it was hosted in Bulle in 1986.
The competition will begin in Bern on the 17th July, and looks to be fierce, fun and filled with Vaulting excellence as the World’s best come together to fight for glory and stamp their names in the history books.
FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors
Germany presents a formidable trio in the Female competition, headed up by 2023 European Champion Kathrin Meyer, who has her sights set on a first World title. Her strongest competition comes from her teammates, 2023 Silver medallist Alina Ross and 2023 World Champion Young Vaulter, Alice Layher. Layher has made the leap from the Young Vaulter division straight to the top of the Senior category, and her potential, strength and grace make her a force to be reckoned with.
Swiss Vaulters, Ilona Hannich and Nadja Büttiker, will attempt to disrupt an all-German podium finish and hope to capitalise on home advantage. Both have the ability; Hannich won the European Bronze in 2023 and Büttiker took the same medal home in 2017. Mental strength and physical reserves will play an important part in their competition as both will compete in the Swiss squad and Hannich in the Pas de Deux. Sadly, Danielle Bürgi, a great Swiss talent, will miss out on the event after sustaining an injury in competition two weeks ago, however Swiss legend Lukas Heppler also will be representing the home nation.
Canada’s Talmage Conrad will be one to watch in the Senior Championship. (Talmo13 on Instagram)
Eva Nagiller, Austria’s big hope, will compete alongside her trusted team of lunger Klaus Haidacher and his horse Idefix 25. Also entering with a strong partnership, developed over the last few years in preparation for this event is Kimberly Palmer (USA), and her Italian combination Rosenstolz 99 and Laura Carnabuci which may give her the edge and a chance to bring honours home to the USA.
France are bringing their A Game in the form of 2023 European title holder Quentin Jabet with Ronaldo 200 and Andrea Boe. His unique style, delicate Vaulting and ability to manage challenging situations with ease have set him ahead. Compatriot Theo Gardies, 2023 Silver medallist, will endeavour to pip him to the post and take the title with his own flair.
Having successfully returned to competition since an injury to his foot two months ago, Jannik Heiland will be hoping to tackle the Frenchmen head on and improve on his 2022 third place finish. Fellow German, Thomas Brüsewitz, is hunting his first podium finish since 2019 where he won Bronze at the European Championships. With high flying, mind-blowing dismounts, Canada’s twenty-two-year-old Talmage Conrad is certainly one to watch.
In the Pas de Deux, Italy are bringing 2024 FEI World Cup™ Champions, Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella (ITA), to take on 2022 World Silver medallists Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne (GER). Both pairings present intricate routines and excellence in performance will be of the upmost importance to earn top scores.
For the home team, Ilona Hannich and Li Lafer have an opportunity to improve on their 2023 European Bronze with teammates Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid still on the hunt for their first FEI medal. As always, the Pas de Deux promises to be an incredible spectacle.
2022 Squad World Champions, France, have re-established their team, and have received top marks at CVI’s this year. They face German rivals, Team Norka, for a rematch of the 2022 battle for the top and we can expect a thrilling competition. Each present their own style, having adapted to the new rules reducing the time allowed for triples during the Free test.
Home-nation Switzerland will hope to reward their fans and scoop a medal, but they face firm challenges from both Austria and the USA.
The Official Team competition will wrap up the event in a nail-biting finale as the top countries choose their most elite individuals to compete alongside their squad to be crowned the ultimate Nation.
FEI European Championship for Juniors & Young Vaulters
The FEI European Championship for Juniors and Young Vaulters, held alongside the Senior Championship, allows the Vaulting youth to be inspired for the future whilst achieving their goals and showing their promise.
The Junior Female class is packed with potential. After an unfortunate finish in 2023 Océane Gehan was on the cards to be representing France, but has pulled out this time due to injury.
Denmark’s superstar Josephine Vedel Sondergaard Nielson, 2023 World Silver medallist, has the ability to go one medal better, however 2023 World Champion Clara Ludwiczek (AUT) will endeavour to clinch the European title. Her teammates Dana Benedict and Antonia Mayerhofer could also rise to the top. Germany too have three hopefuls, Johanna Timm, Amari Santamaria Diaz and Laura Seemüller.
Fan favourite, double World Champion, Sam dos Santos (NED) has been making waves on the Senior circuit, but returns to Junior to compete in his final Junior Championship. He will be hard to beat, however, as Germany’s Lukas Heitmann, who impressed judges with his performance in 2023, and Fabio Ring will be tough competition.
Polish hearts are set on Jakob Roguski, who has been steadily climbing the ranks and nipping at the heels of the top Junior males.
Switzerland has great expectations in the Junior Pas de Deux as Plüss sisters Katharina and Valentina aim to show a harmonious program. Fighting for another medal, but with a different partner, 2021 Pas de Deux World Champion Arne Heers will perform together with Mia Bury for Germany, while Austria has two strong combinations entered, Flora Maurer and Sarah Koroschetz and Julia Alber and Eva Koren. Evie and Milly Jessett will make their debut for Great Britain.
Fresh from their Nations Team win at the CHIO Aachen, Germany’s Junior Squad, Fredenbeck, have driven the standard sky high; Austria and Switzerland will have to work hard to keep up. Sweden has their own score to settle after narrowly missing out on a top three finish in 2023.
Young Vaulters
The Young Vaulter category has proven to be a fabulous competition. With athletes moving through the age range regularly, Anna Weidenauer, World Bronze medallist, is the only medallist from 2023 eligible to compete. She faces stiff competition from Germany’s Gianna Ronca and Italian Giorgia Fanucci. Switzerland have three mighty contenders; Noemi Licci, Michelle Brügger and Leonie Linsbichler.
The Male field is narrow, and success will go to he who has prepared the best and has the constitution to present three excellent tests. The main contenders are from the powerhouse nations. France have chosen Tom Menand and Louis Dumont, Austria’s top choice is Paul Ruttkowsky while German hopes rely on Ben Lechtenberg and Arne Heers.
There are a plethora of medals to be won, with respect and honour to be gained over five days of intense competition.
FEI TV will live stream all the action here.
Results here.
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