21 November 2024

The podium at the FEI Jumping Children's Classics Final - Lerma (MEX) © FEI/Oscar Mujica

The past week saw Rancho Salazar, Lerma de Villada in Mexico, host 32 young riders from ten countries around the world, including Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Columbia, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, South Africa, Syria and Zimbabwe, to compete in the 2024 FEI Jumping Children's Classics Final. This event was not only hosted with renowned Mexican hospitality, but dominated by their children’s excellent riding and sportsmanship. 

A Pathway for Young Stars

The FEI Jumping Children's Classics Gold Tour serves as the pathway to the annual FEI Jumping Children's Classics Final, bringing together young riders aged 12 to 14 to compete internationally on borrowed horses. Held outdoors from January to October, young athletes qualify in their home countries for the Gold Tour Final by tackling challenging courses up to 1.20m designed by FEI course designer Quintin Maertens (NED).
The young athletes received points for their ranking in the first two qualifying competitions at the Final, with the top 16 (maximum 8 athletes from Mexico) qualifying for Final competition, and the remaining competing in the Farewell Class. This emphasised skill, precision, and fair play, showcasing the future stars of equestrian sport while giving many of them their first taste of international competition. 

Pasquel’s Pluck Pays Off 

14-year-old Priscila Pasquel (MEX) came into the competition humble, aware of the skill and experience of her fellow competitors and not expecting success. As the week continued, however, their rounds improved, so by the last day they committed to giving it their all. Pasquel, 6th highest qualifier going into the Final, has had her horse Day Dream des Lones for 2 years, and says she always gives her best. Initially finding the technicalities of the tracks challenging, having to make decisions on related distances to alternately ride forward or wait, the Final saw Priscilla throwing her doubts to the wind. A cool head and listening to Dad ultimately paid off for the pair on Sunday in a daring jump-off, taking a tight line inside the double on her father’s advice that; “If you want to win it, you need to take that turn.” 
That angle clinched the gold a mere 0.05 seconds ahead of second place, but Priscila says that the next best part of this competition was making new friends and experiencing how other riders and cultures are approaching training and competing, a valuable step on her journey to following idol Steve Guerdat to Grand Prix level. 

Podium Peer Pressure 

Runner-up Ximena Arroyo Garcin (MEX) said the hardest part was course designer Quintin Maertens’ (NED) tight turns, which you had to take to be competitive - while staying clear, which was a challenge, as there were only 4 clears in the jump-off. Benjamin Romo Cantu (MEX) found this out first hand, posting a time that would have been good enough for a bronze, had he not tipped a pole which left him in fifth. 
Instead, third went to Eva Montemayor Galvan (MEX), who was hoping to make the winning turn inside the double, but was going too fast and overshot it. This decision was one that ultimately split the places on the podium, with her third place coming almost three seconds behind first and second. 

Intrepid Internationals 

In fourth place, and the top placing international visitor on a borrowed horse, was Isabella Lozano Santamaria of Columbia on Carabela, riding in the biggest competition of her life - so far, at least, if this thirteen-year-old’s weekend performance is anything to go by. She stepped up massively throughout her first international competition to perform in the Final, having scraped through the qualifiers in 18th place, paying respects to the horse which she had just three days to get to know, both a thrilling opportunity and an obvious challenge.
“The part I liked the most about being here is the people and the ambience, and getting to know my horse, Carabela. I feel I was very lucky that I got that horse, because everything went great with her, and not everybody was that lucky; we made a great team.”
While Mexico dominated the top ten with six riders, Columbia was joined by riders from Argentina, South Africa and Syria in the Final placings. 

The Farewell was won by Argentinian rider Martina Orozco Robello on the borrowed Fatima San Isidro, accompanied to Mexico by her father and her coach, who has influenced her riding journey greatly. Channelling her aspirations to represent her country at the FEI World Championships one day, she finished on a fast clear over three seconds ahead of Abdallah Ali (SYR) on Holisca, who was closely followed by Maria Alicia Nassar (MEX) on Carpaccio Las Palmas. 
Team (and Teen) Spirit 

The FEI Jumping Children’s Classics team event at Lerma brought young riders together in a unique format designed to foster camaraderie and competition. Teams were randomly drawn, with each consisting of two foreign athletes and two riders from Mexico, ensuring an exciting mix of talents and backgrounds. The team classification was determined based on the cumulative results of two qualifying competitions, highlighting consistency and teamwork as key factors in securing victory. Coming out on top was a team of Panamanian, Argentinian and Mexican talent, with Hondurian, South African and Colombian visitors flying their countries’ flags high.

Experience, Education, & Enthusiasm

Dutch course designer Maertens praised the young athletes for not only how they tackled his tracks, but the relationships he saw blossom between horse and rider. Explaining that as a course builder he had to have a plan for the week balanced between wanting to build up to exciting, challenging courses, but also building confidence in the young competitors, he carefully watched the athletes and made a “real championship class that was a joy to watch”. 

Event President Ricardo Nizri not only opened the door to his house, but said he hoped they opened their hearts to the children that he praised as having “the courage of a lion,” and showing the world what they are made of:

“It is not only an honour and a privilege, but the duty of us elders to guide these young riders on their journey.”  

Ricardo Nizri

(MEX)

Looking Ahead

With new talent emerging constantly, the 2025 season promises to be just as thrilling. For more information about the FEI Jumping Children’s Classics, visit the FEI website, and catch event highlights on the FEI YouTube channel.
This Final was a testament to the bright future of equestrian sport, showcasing not only extraordinary talent but the camaraderie and cultural exchange that make the event so special.

FULL RESULTS