Irish trio continue unique European Young Rider Academy Experience with Swedish Seminar

The 2016 European Young Riders Academy, which includes Ireland’s Jack Dodd, Eoin McMahon and Michael Duffy, gathered in Uppsala and Strömsholm in Sweden this week for the second educational seminar. The included lectures on doping, medication and prohibited substances; anatomy, physiology of horses and lameness. Experienced Swedish rider Jens Fredricsson shared his experiences with the Young Riders particularly around training, finance and management of young horses.

The European Young Riders Academy,is a program conceived for European talented young Show Jumpers, under the patronage of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), with the cooperation of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and the support of Rolex.
Founded in 2014 by Athenaeum, a non-profit association, the program aims to give talented riders between the ages of 18 and 23 the chance to get six months of training and boarding at a well-known professional stable. On top of that, professional education in communication, business and economics, veterinary and legal practice related to show jumping. The objective is to develop future champions as well as potential managers of this sport.

Laura Klaphake, member of YRA full program team commented:

”The week in Sweden had been a great experience. It was not just theoretical but we also did practical training, like young horses free jumping and balance training for us riders. That was very exciting!”. “Our second session in Sweden was very interesting” continued Cassandra Braeckmans “ I better learned how to detect lameness on a horse, what to really look at when buying a young horse and, what I also found very fascinating was the balance session. We always try to make our horses as sound as possible, work their balance as good as possible and sometimes we forget about ourselves on the horse. Our own health, fitness and training, where balance is key. I’m definitely going to continue with the balance exercises we learned and improve myself as much as possible”.
The next session for the all YRA team will be in Belgium at the end of October for a riding clinic with Jos Lansink.
The 2016 Young rider Academy Team:
Full Program: Cassandra Braeckmans (BEL ), Jack Dodd (IRL ), Pål Flam (NOR), Eoin McMahon (IRL ), Emma O´Dwyer (GBR ). Part of this year team will also be Laura Klaphake (GER ) already nominated during 2015 selection.
Educational Program: Derin Demirsoy (TUR), Laetitia Du Couëdic (SUI), Michael Duffy (IRL ), Giampiero Garofalo (ITA), Spencer Roe (GBR), Basile Rubio (FRA).