Rikke selected for U-18 European Championships 2011

After competing in the Nations Cup in Wierden, Rikke and Cora have been selected for the team of 5 junior riders who will be taking the 3000 km trip to Comporta, Portugal for this years Championships that take place between the 4th & 10th July.

Link to European Championship site

Rikke and Cora travelled to Sommersted for this years U18 National Championships as 1 of many riders that could travel home as the 2011 U18 Champions. There is an unusually high number of talented riders with quality horses!

In Saturday's 1st round there were around 40 starters and despite a challenging course there were 11 clear rounds including Rikke effectively in 2nd place behind Camilla Ernst.

As to be expected the course designer made Sunday's 2nd round even more challenging. 2nd to last to start and there was only a single competitor still without faults when Rikke and Cora entered the arena.

The fences presented no problems for Cora and with a super confident Rikke stearing perfectly between the jumps they jumped their 2nd clear round of the championship.

With 2 still clear but with several sitting just behind with 4 faults an error in the 3rd round could be very expensive. As there were still 3 riders with only 4 faults the pressure was intense as Rikke and Cora again entered the arena.

With yet another super confident clear round Rikke and Cora were in the lead with only one to go. Camilla also produced another clear round so they were tied and a head to head jump-off was required to find the 2011 champion.

Starting first Rikke's trainer parting words at the gate "forget tactics, this is the championship, stay in control but ride just as fast as you can". After a trial approach to fence 2 they were off. Over the 1st and round to the 2nd, quickly down the arena to and over 3, on to the combination down the far side a quick U-turn to and over the penultimate fence. With a long gallop down to the final big oxer Rikke went full speed and with the crowd roaring encouragement Cora gave everything and they flew over the final fence CLEAR and OK fast.

With the pressure intense, Camilla started well and was probably a little faster but a slight mistake or a tired horse and 3 from home 4 faults and Rikke had won the Championship!

A fantastic weekend and after many years with at best silver in previous championships Rikke now had gold around the neck and the applause of her competitors and the many spectators.

See the webtv around 9:30 3rd round and 19:00 for jump off.