We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. This is certainly something one cannot possibly forget when watching the Children participating on the international circuit today. Regardless of the medals they win, their enthusiasm and energy is palpable and their skill and tenacity coupled with their willingness to learn are surely characteristics that will stand them in good stead in all walks of life.
The FEI Children’s category was specifically created some years ago to cater for riders from 12 to 14 years of age competing on horses. The events for this age category are recognizable on the FEI calendar by the letters ‘Ch’. For example, a CSICh-A is an international Jumping competition for Children competing on their own horses, a CSICh-B is different only in that riders compete on borrowed horses.
Traditionally Children’s competitions were most popular outside of Europe but since its introduction in 2006, the FEI European Children’s Championship in Jumping or CH-EU-Ch-S has proven extremely popular.
Given a tremendous start by the hosting Turkinsh National Federation in 2006 and 2007, the Championships will move to Athens (GRE) for 2008 where they will take place from July 10-13.
The Children’s Championships are already drawing equal numbers in terms of participation as the Pony Rider’s Championships: no small feat when it has been believed for many years that the Children’s circuit would not find it’s place in continental Europe where the pony tradition was so very strong!
The 2007 figures speak for themselves:
The FEI European Jumping Championship for Children (CH-EU-Ch-S) held in Turkey last July attracted 54 riders from 16 nations;
2007 FEI European Pony Championship (CH-EU-P) held in Germany also in July attracted 57 riders from 14 nations in Jumping.
The Children’s International Jumping Competition is run under a separate and independent set of rules, specifically created, over a decade ago to encourage the participation of children in international competitions. Every year, a new set of Course Plans are drawn up for each of the three categories which cater for competitors of differing levels of experience: A for the most experienced and B & C (introduced in 2006) aimed at for the promotion of the sport in countries organising this kind of competition for the first time, or for countries that have their own rules and regulations established competitions for children.
Category A, 1.10m/1.20m 1.20m/1.30m 1.50 m 350 m/min
Category B, 1.05m/1.15m 1.10m/1.20m 1.30 m 325 m/min
Category C, 1.00m/1.10m 1.00m/1.10m - 300 m/min.
Category A events are also Qualifiers for the annual Children’s Final. Every year, 32 riders qualify to participate: 16 foreign riders and 16 from the host nation. The foreign riders qualify based on the results obtained in the first Category A competition they take part in and the rules on qualification are drawn up so as to ensure representation from all of the regional groups involved.
The 16 foreign riders that qualify are provided with horses by another 16 qualified host nation riders and throughout the week riders from all over the world, train, compete and relax alongside one another.
The 2006 Final was hosted for a second time by the Southern family in Spruce Meadows (CAN) and was a tremendous success providing moments of great excitement with riders from 6 continents and representing 12 different nations.
The 2007 Children’s Final was hosted by the Mexican Equestrian Federation and the Chedraui family and took place in Jalapa from 3 to 8 December. Thirty-two riders represented the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Guatamala, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic South Africa and the USA.
The medallists were all from the host nation:
Gold: Jose Antonio CHEDRAUI (MEX) on Bengala
Solver: Jose Angel ARREVALO (MEX) on Cash
Bronze: Erick JIMENEZ (MEX) on Preciosa
NFs interested in organizing any Childrens events are warmly invited to contact [email protected] for further details.
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