The Italians proved unbeatable for gold at the FEI European Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2014 which drew to a close at Givrins in Switzerland. Last year they scored a hat-trick on home ground in Manerbio, but this year they went one better and swept all before them.

The Championships took place at the state-of-the-art CS Ranch in Givrins which is a breeding, training and showing centre for Reining horses owned by Corinna Schumacher, wife of F1 motor-racing driver Michael Schumacher. The venue, located halfway between Geneva and Lausanne, enjoys spectacular views of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva and was highly praised by visitors and competitors alike.

Entries from six nations – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands – lined out, and from the outset it was clear the Italians would be the ones to beat. They showed extraordinary consistency when taking Thursday’s team title, and placed their stamp of authority all over yesterday’s Individual medal-deciders when scooping gold and silver in both categories.

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