Sunday was the day the Individual medals were fought for by both Juniors and Young Riders and the program for the day was to see the Juniors complete their first round from 9.30am - this was then followed by a course rebuild and the first round for the Young Riders - which was then followed by the final round for the Juniors which was then followed by the final round for the Young Riders.

This was a confusing way of doing things but it turned out to be a super way for the riders and their horses as it gave them a good break between their first and second rounds - and with the courses they were to jump this was a good thing!

The Junior Individual Final saw the Dutch and Germans with all five of their riders through, France had 4 of theirs through, Ireland and Belgium had 3 through to the Final.

Portugal and Sweden had 2 through while Switzerland, Spain, Hungary, Denmark, Great Britain, Poland and Italy all had 1 in the Individual Final.

The Germans and Dutch were definitely the favourites for the Individual medals but Ireland and France were in there with a very real chance!

Unfortunately the weather, which seemed early in the morning to be looking all right, deteriorated very quickly and the day ended being beseiged by heavy downpours of rain creating quite a humid environment - something these horses and riders were onbviously not used to!

The European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders is something which the southern hemisphere competitors have no idea about and certainly no competition equivalent to it - this is an amazing experience for these riders and certainly prepares them for careers as top level senior riders for their countries.

Visiting the Championships were South Australian Young Rider, Amy Graham (wearing cap) and her Groom and friend, Zoie Gray - pictured left - and

The Course Designer - pictured left in cap - kept a low profile during the weeks jumping and this was the only time we managed to snap a photo of him!

We did have the opportunity to chat with him one morning on the way to the jumping venue and we asked what he thought of the standard of jumping - "the riders for the most are very good and the ones who struggle are those who do not ride as they walk the courses" was his diplomatic reply.

There is no doubt that the tracks were technical with lines which became difficult if not ridden correctly and this was certainly a problem for some of the nations competing.

The arena may looked to be bathed in sunshine - pictured below - but it was the glow which often comes before a huge storm and that is exactly what did happen with the rain holding off for the Juniors first round and hit when the Young Riders walked their course.

The Irish Juniors, after a journey from hell, to get to the championships were jumping in fine style with Nicola Fitzgibbon and Kathrine Fitzgibbon's Puissance coming into the first round of the Individual seeded equal 5th having lowered just one fence through 3 rounds coming into this final.

Team Trainer, John Ledingham was on hand for the Irish team, walking the courses with each of them individually in every round, discussing the course from the persepective of each horse being different.