Vallvé, Ruiz, Guillén and Abollo Win 2023 Spanish Youth Riders Championships

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2023 Spanish Youth Riders Championships

- Text and Photos © Lily Forado

Children rider Jeanette Vallvé, Junior Alfonso Ruiz, Young rider Javier Guillén, and Under 25 Alba Abollo became the winners of the 2023 Spanish Youth Riders Championships in Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Spain, on August 29 - 3 September 2023.

With a massive number of entries, 243, spread out over six divisions, Equestrian Center Club de Campo Villa de Madrid hosted their first Youth Spanish Championships. On the concluding day of competition Sunday the heavy rains in Madrid were a threat, and the U25 Freestyle was moved to the indoor arena. The Organizing Committee took action and provide a plan B with huge success.

Aside from the four traditional FEI youth rider divisions (children, junior, young rider, Under 25), in Spain there are also two special national categories for "Alevines" (9 - 12 year olds) and "Juveniles 0*" (14 - 16 year olds).

Children: Jeannette Vallvé Captures Second National Title

Children was the category that presented the highest level of all. For the first time after placing off the podium in the two previous years, Jeanette Vallvé took the gold medal after a portentous display of quality and elegance. The pair was crowned the new champion of Spain with a top performance at the highest level. Her path to gold in this championship was a very easy one, claiming three victories in a row and creating a gap with the silver medalist with a difference of 4 points (233.245%). Jeannette sealed a golden hat-trick with great ease and with averages above 76% in all the three tests.

Jeanette entered in the national scene in 2019 at the Alevines level (9-12 years). A year later, 2020, she tasted the joys and became the national champion. In 2021, she made the jump to Children level and finished seventh. A year later, she climbed and touched the medals with a fourth place. 2023 has been her golden season without surprises. In July she was a finalist at the European Children Championship and won team bronze. Jeanette and her PRE bred Zanon (by Campanero XXXVIII x Mercinario VII) conclude her third season at Children's level in the best possible way: crowned champion of Spain and placing the P.R.E at the forefront.

Runner up was her teammate, Agustín Aragon with Sir Medano (by Sir Donnerhall) with 229.221%. Carmen F. Prado Gómez and Bambino (by Negro) concluded her participation with a bronze medal 225.163%

Junior Riders: Alfonso Ruiz on his Own League

Alfonso Ruiz with the 16-year old De Yakare (by Cacique Quin) completed another golden hat-trick. Undefeated from minute one, the rider confirmed at his level with his two mounts. Aboard the elegant and feminine mare Spanish sport horse De Yakare he claimed the first position in the two rounds with 72,273% and 70.735%. His victorious dance was along the melodies of “Hilo de Seda” by the Pekenikes and the soundtrack of Lords of the Rings in the walk. His floorplan was pure risk and at the same time elegance and harmony. The rider went for all, performing a very complex routine, highlighting the tempis every five strides in circle or the trot extension with the reins in one hand, among others. The rider smashed his level with an incredible average of 75.905%. Without surprises, his golden overall was 218,913 points. Alfonso concluded his season with the icing on the cake: For the first time in his career, he claimed his first national title .

The silver and bronze medals was a great game of tic-tac. The silver medal went for Mireia Luz Konovalova with Royal Thunder (by Royal Highness) on 212,704 points and Elsa Bosch closed the podium with Dean Martin (by Don Federico) on 211,326 points.

Young Riders: Javier Guillén Grows to Greatness

Thirty-eight pairs competed in the young riders' class. In the team test and individual test, the championship trio were neck to neck. Javier Guillén won the first qualifier, Lucie Thérèse Moreillon took the second qualifier, which made the freestyle final a thriller.

Once again, the bets were on, but dressage is unpredictable. Javier Guillén left no one indifferent. The rider from Aragon can take pride in his first YR season with his companion, the 10-year old PRE bred Resuelto AS (by Barquiero XXVI x Italico AS). Swimming against the current as the underdog, but one of the hot favurites due to his precision and accuracy in the test, Javier had once again prejudice against him that a PRE horse can't make it onto the podium. For third year in a row, Javier showcased the great aptitude of his horse and climbed to the top step of the podium. In 2021 and 2022, he was proclaimed Spanish Junior Champion; as of today, Javier has three Spanish champion sashes in his home, quite a sporting feat, with the Young Riders one (214,268) now added to his collection.

Both the silver and bronze medals were a great Game of Thrones style battle. A titanic fight between Bruno Cid vs Lucie Thèrese Moreillon. This time Bruno Cid along with Jaime Amian’s 10-year old Oldenburg Fernando (by Furstenball x Weltmeyer) was the big surprise. The Andalusian rider forged his career with Brentana, but now Fernando seems to follow in her footsteps. A routinier in riding Spanish Championship finals, Bruno has always fell short of medals. But this year, was his year. With more experience, Bruno Cid and Fernando were one of the great sensations of this championship. His progression has been meteoric. On the first and second day he sealed a fourth position, but in the final he placed himself in pole position (74.055%). Both he and Fernando form a relatively new pairing, but the connection on the arena is palpable. The horse has great quality of gaits and in the finals he danced to the melodies of Rocky and Creed. Bruno presented a high degree of difficulty in his choreography, highlighting the tempi changes on the circle. After coming close to the podium on two occasions, this year Bruno was finally able to get rid of his thorn and stood with great honour on the second step of the podium, the silver one (211,967)

With an ephemeral difference, the bronze medal went to the rider Lucie Thérèse Moreillon Chardonnen with Rivan 2 CH by (Riccione) (211,239). The winner of the 2023 Master chained together exercise after exercise with great technical precision, step by step, but her score was not enough to secure silver. With a lot to gain and little to lose, Lucie fought tooth and nail and achieved it. 72.885% was her bronze score in the final test.

Under25: Alba Abollo is back and unstoppable

Alba Abollo on Elvillar CS had no rivals. With her mount, the 13-year old CDE gelding (by Espriwalll), the rider cruised along a golden path. Undefeated on all three days, Alba put on a stellar performance in the freestyle. She premiered a piece of music with several changes of rhythm. After an intense season, the rider finishes the year as Champion of Spain (224.056%).

With this title, Alba Abollo continues to fulfil her dreams with Elvillar CS. Their journey together began in 2014 riding in the national arenas in the 4-year-old classes. That season , they won the silver medal. Since then, they had an avalanche of successes without ceasing; highlighting her silver medal at the 2017 European Championship, her Spanish Junior Title (2017) and the Young Riders one in 2018. From today, Alba Abollo can boast another national title and trophy in her closets of home and it is the U25 one. Undefeated in each of the three days with stellar scores of 72%, in the final, she culminated her great championship with 77.980%

The freestyle was decisive for the two remaining medals; Sergio Morón vs Adrián Roldán. Sergio Morón who started competing Farnham in 2017, has climbed all the FEI levels with success and a bunch of national medals. The Arnedo rider has added another medal to his extensive cabinet. In his first U25 season, Sergio concludes with the silver medal. Debuting a completely new musical piece with the famous rock chords of “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple in passage and piaffe, and “Another Brick on the Wall” by Pink Floyd, Morón linked an extended canter to a double pirouette, followed by changes every two strides. With a remarkable 74.980% he took second place and after an oscillations of positions, his silver average was 218.903.

The European Championship finalist Adrián Roldán did not have the best freestyle. Grabbing third position in the Intermediate II and second in the GPU25, in the freestyle he had some expensive, small inaccuracies in the canter. Therefore he dropped to fourth position with a 73.675%. For third year in a row, the gold medal still entices him and he had to go home with bronze on 216,934 points.

Results - 2023 Spanish Youth Riders Championships

Children

1. Jeanette Vallvé Martin - Zanon 76.075 78.759 78.411---- 233.245
2. Martin Aragon Martin - Sir Medano 75.067 77.984 76.17 ---- 229.221
3. Carmen F. Prado Gomez-Jarabo - Bambino 73.525 76.8 74.835 ---- 225.16
4. Rodrigo Sanchez Turienzo - Querenciosa JF 70.884 75.434 73.199 ---- 219.517
5. Curro Ramirez Morales - Koningshoek Florian 73.959 71.084 73.226---- 218.269
6. Tomás Rojas Vieyra Zahonek - Soldador Eucalipto 68.959 74.2 72.002 ---- 215.161
7. Jessica Gonzalo Aguilera - Juanito X 71.725 71.559 71.014 ---- 214.298
8. Maialen Lazkano Ugarte - Cizur De Bariain 68.709 74.717 69.849 ---- 213.275
9. Andrea Lozano Cadenas - Roland 73.367 71.759 68.113 ---- 213.239
10. Alvaro Lopez Rey - Keulse Hoeve’S Mark 69.975 71.984 69.516 ---- 211.475
11. Arrate Larrea Lambarri - Curro 67.45 75.717 68.087 ---- 211.254
12. Maria Rodriguez Vega - Nagzul De Tineo 72.675 70.359 67.229 ---- 210.263
13. Alejandro Navarro Sanchez - Inquieta Fsr 70.109 72.875 66.687 ---- 209.671
14. Fernando Guerrero Cadenas - Eolo De Encinasola 69.009 71.817 67.13 ---- 207.956
15. Teresa Monllor Paya - Heredero-Ven 68.509 70.617 68.503---- 207.629
16. Arrietta Ruiz Goiri - Esferico 67.225 71.984 68.057 ---- 207.266
17. Irene Diaz Bertran - Sydney 68.259 70.667 65.769 ---- 204.695
18. Sofia Rios Mendoza - Cantora MAT - 67.675 74.15 61.539 ---- 203.364

Junior Riders

1. Alfonso Ruiz Velasco - De Yakare 72.273 70.735 75.905 ---- 218.913
2. Mireia Luz Konovalova - Royal Thunder 69.424 69.5 73.78 ---- 212.704
3. Elsa Bosch Portillo - Dean Martin 69.394 69.912 72.02 ---- 211.326
4. Sofia del Olmo Bak - Delfi 69.849 69.441 70.19 ---- 209.48
5. Juan José Ruiz Esteban - Jerezano BCN 71.546 66.088 71.04 ---- 208.674
6. Ignacio Torres Morales - Scato 68.576 68.559 71.23 ---- 208.365
7. Ane Barcon Ruiz de Erentxun - Juventus De Sena 66.879 69.0 71.99 ---- 207.869
8. Nile Urrutia López - Viriathus Van GC 67.061 67.706 71.385 ---- 206.152
9. Martina Delgado Portillo - Lemen's Star 66.455 68.059 70.845 ---- 205.359
10. Clàudia Pomer Soler - Hinojo 68.0 68.353 68.3 ---- 204.653
11. Claudia Lledo Ros - Cocktail 68.636 68.324 67.41 ---- 204.37
12. Carlota Marzal Anson - Utopico OVL 66.424 68.588 69.1 ---- 204.112
13. Mireia Vidal Enguidanos - Miss Furstenball 66.515 67.5 69.145 ---- 203.16
14. Emilia Carrasco Gómez - Cordoba L 66.667 68.059 68.265 ---- 202.991
15. Layla Sassen Ivars - Debatido SF 68.091 65.676 68.055 ---- 201.822
16. Vera Soto Sanchez Ovd - Prieto Dos 66.636 67.324 67.625 ---- 201.585
17. Ainhoa Gonzalez Flores - Lands 67.424 66.882 66.84 ---- 201.146

Young Riders

1. Javier Guillen Callejas - Resuelto AS 70.941 69.677 73.65 ---- 214.268
2. Bruno Cid Romero - Fernando 68.294 69.618 74.055 ---- 211.967
3. Lucie Thérèse Moreillon Chardonnens - Rivan 2 CH 67.177 71.177 72.885 ---- 211.239
4. Maria Bech Salvatella - Showtime 68.294 69.206 72.44 ---- 209.94
5. Maria Araceli Martin Rivera - Ladiva 68.176 69.382 71.52 ---- 209.078
6. Berta Fito Ayats - Florencia 66.912 70.324 70.185 ---- 207.421
7. Paloma Serrano Suárez de Centi - Ayrento 68.647 69.353 68.63 ---- 206.63
8. Fatima Garcia-Gullon Dominguez - Dubai King 66.471 68.941 70.405 ---- 205.817
9. Andrea Garcia Tejada - Stradivari 65.324 68.294 70.725 ---- 204.343
10. Julia Hessel Ferrer - Alixion 68.353 65.618 70.12 ---- 204.091
11. Marta Villaescusa Bueno - Final Chance 66.235 68.559 69.25 ---- 204.044
12. Roser Serrano Pons - Babalu De Adama De Susa 64.912 67.765 69.89 ---- 202.567
13. Daniel Herranz Yubero - Hamelton HH 67.294 68.412 66.695 ---- 202.401
14. Pablo Martinez Muriel - Relamido III 66.177 67.118 68.26 ---- 201.555
15. Sofia Sanchez Gracia - Notario De Amtuna 66.412 66.47 68.435 ---- 201.317
16. Lourdes Aulet Perez - Donscha 65.853 67.971 67.49 ---- 201.314
17. Tatiana Pielias Pueyo - Hamilton BCN 68.059 67.5 65.195 ---- 200.754
18. Xènia Sirés Garriga - Kk'S Hey Brother 66.5 68.941 64.775 ---- 200.216

Under 25

1. Alba Abollo Fontela - Elvillar CS 73.794 72.282 77.98 ---- 224.056
2. Sergio Moron Basoco. - Farnham L 72.718 71.205 74.98 ---- 218.903
3. Adrian Roldan Narvaez - Floyd 71.618 71.641 73.675 ---- 216.934
4. Carla de la Fuente de Pablos - Fito 70.5 71.051 74.26 ---- 215.811
5. Julia Alvarez Abad - Dark Rose De Fangar 70.794 69.59 72.525 ---- 212.909
6. Juan Jose Gonzalez de las Cuevas - Denksport 69.382 69.923 72.87 ---- 212.175
7. Diego Martinez del Moral - For Olimpic Games 69.882 68.257 70.69 ---- 208.829
8. Alberto Garcia Albela - Estoque 68.323 68.615 71.665 ---- 208.603
9. Silvia Hernando Morant - Sir Marq 66.823 68.128 67.81 ---- 202.761
10. Jesús Sánchez Martín - For Naja 66.471 64.41 71.52 ---- 202.401
11. Andrea Ruiz Junco - Quicksilver 63.647 65.359 69.085 ---- 198.091
12. Carmen Galvez Gonzalez - Enorm 65.059 65.257 67.56 ---- 197.876
13. Lucia Galbis Cervero - Summer Time 65.53 62.487 68.35 ---- 196.367
14. Mario Pacheco García. - Florianus 65.324 62.436 66.2 ---- 193.96
15. Carmen Manuel Lopez - Nayado As III 64.441 62.667 65.045 ---- 192.153
16. Emma Andersen Soderberg - Royal Dream 61.853 61.692 66.87 ---- 190.415