Belgium claimed the Junior Team and Children’s Individual titles, Germany clinched Young Riders and Children’s Individual gold, Spain clinched the Children’s Team title and the host nation of Ireland were crowned Young Riders Team champions at the FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2016 at Millstreet (IRL).

The Green Glens arena in Millstreet is close to the hearts of many of today’s great stars. It was here that current World and European Jumping Champion, The Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam, claimed his first significant title when crowned Young Riders champion back in 1994.

Riding a horse, aptly named Killarney which is a town close to the County Cork venue, he headed a line-up that included Christian Ahlmann and Marcus Ehning who were also on the gold-medal-winning German team, while Malin Baryard helped clinch team silver for Sweden. Just six years later, Jeroen was crowned individual Olympic champion in Sydney (AUS) at the age of 27, and all four of these riders along with many more are on their way to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games over the next few weeks. Championships like this are an important stepping-stone along the way.

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