Now for the all important pictorial tour of the Young Riders Opening competition - the Table C. This course was changed overnight as when we left on Wednesday evening the first fence was a nasty orange wavey plank fence tucked away in a corner which then required, from memory, a hard turn out of it to fence two - this would have made for a very difficult track for any rider an it was certainly not an encouraging opening track so no doubt the riders were pleased, when they walked the track on Thursday morning to find it had been changed - doe smake this writer wonder of there had been some discussion about the course during the evening!

Whatever happened, the end result was a very jumpable track which I am sure the riders and their coaches appreciated as it gave them all a chance to warm into the competition, without frightening themselves and the horses.

With 17 out of the 69 starters going clear, with most going carefully it would seem that most coaches had given instruction to go out and jump clear but carefully, without any "scrubbing of horses ears" for the win and most riders seemed to follow orders in the class, with few risks being taken.

Benjamin Devulder for France, riding Bertrand Devulder's 11 year old Heartbreaker/ Hydra O mare won the class in fine style leaving all the fences up in 68.58secs, a lead he held from early on in the class through to the finish. Many tried and some came close to his time but nobody could take the first placing from him.
Benjamin is seen left and below with his very striking mare.
Below left we see Caroline Muller riding Paul Schockemohle's 9 year old Concorde/Ruanda mare who shows super technique over the fences. They jumped clear in 72.77secs.

Pictured above right is Janka Krasovec on the 14 year old gelding of Dutch breeding by Daimler out of Anita. This gelding is owned by Z Krasovec and although they didn't have the greatest "day at the office", the rider was very sympathetic in the ride he gave Dutch Classic 3.

The Hungarians seem to have a passion for greys if the two riders pictured below left and right are anything to go by - and the Hungarians also seem to have a "hunger for success" if you will pardon the pun - they have set the standard for themselves with good placings in both classes today and will

no doubt be looking for a good team result. The combination above left is Kaarlo Kovacs and K. Szilveszter's 1992 mare, Penny who ha sno breeding listed and above right is Mariann Hugyecz with Capacity Horses 1994 Latano/Cherie mare, Clouds Away. These two riders were not in the placings today but we thought they deserved to be seen as both these horses showed scope and technique and were well ridden.

Pictured left is Emma Shaw who rode her way into second place in this opening class today clocking up the placing for Great Britain. Emma is riding the incredibly handsome 1996 stallion Crown Rhodonite who is by Greeton du Rezidal out of Crown Diamonte. Emma has had a great season with this stallion and I understand that hewon all three trials for selection to the British Team to come to Vilamoura and that is an amazing result, especially for such a young stallion. He is definitely a star in the making and Emma rides him superbly.

Pictured left is Lizzie Burcher for Ireland and her father's Pirot 8 - this 1994 Westphalian gelding is by Pit 1 out of Ballerina and is another very classic and correct horse who just does it "all so well" and Lizzie and he have a definite rapport which is seen on course

everytime we see this combination. Lizzie had a very successful Hickstead recently but was hesitant about returning to Vilamoura after suffering a nasty crash during the winter jumping here which had her "out of action" for all too long in her opinion - but I am pleased to say that she has broken the jinx and is now very happy jumping in this superb location.

Pictured above right is team mate Olive Clarke and D&R Clarke's very flambouyant 1993 Irish gelding of unlisted breeding, Hands Free - another of the Irish combinations to watch out for - they will be jumping at Dublin Horse Show as I understand it.

Pictured left is Sara Kate Quinlivan aboard Billy Daly's Newmarket Girl, a 1994 Irish Sport Horse mare by Furisto out of Fianna Girl - again a very successful combination on the Irish circuit who have not been together all that long - this horse was formerly ridden by sister Danielle Quinlivan.

Pictured left is the only male on the Irish Young Rider team, Andrew Bourns riding Deidre Bourn's Accordiano - a 1994 Holsteiner gelding by Acord II out of Diana. Again one of the very
successful Irish Young Riders - and he is determined to add some titles to his CV in this, his last Young Rider year.

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