19 Jun Irish victory and Matthis Westendarp new ranking leader of the BEMER Young Riders Tour
(Hagen a.T.W.) 21-year-old Irish rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy won the Young Rider Grand Prix at the seventh stop of the BEMER Young Riders Tour, securing 20 points at the first attempt. And: Matthis Westendarp (Bramsche) is the first German to take pole position in the ranking.
It was difficult, high, far, wide and exciting for the U21 generation at the international youth tournament Future Champions at Hof Kasselmann. Out of 40 competitors, only four reached the jump-off of the international competition. With Cuffesgrange Cavadora, an Irish mare, Seamus Hughes Kennedy achieved the fastest clear round in 48.46 seconds. The young jumper has already shown his riding skills at the World Championships for Young Show Jumpers, and in 2019 he won bronze with the Irish team at the European Junior Championships. The Irishman describes Future Champions as a great success: “I’m feeling great now, a nice finish to the week to jump the course today without a pole down. I pulled it together in the last round and Cuffesgrange Cavadora is a fast mare. I have to go through the schedule now and see if the final in Kronenberg suits, but I’m definitely open to it.”
Two German talents among the top three
Behind the guest from the Emerald Isle, two young German talents lined up. Second place went to Johann Greve from Rodenwalde in Mecklenburg with his mare Caressina. Johann is riding his first season in the Young Riders age group. The new ranking leader Matthis Westendarp followed in third place with Chillert Blue. For Matthis and the Chacco Blue offspring, Future Champions is practically a “home game”.
Final in Kronenberg in sight
With now 32 points in the ranking of the BEMER Young Riders Tour, he can plan for the final in Kronenberg (Netherlands) from 22 – 25 September. “I am incredibly happy to lead the ranking now,” Mathis said overjoyed, “I have only ridden the last two stops, first I was second in Zuidwolde and now third place. We plan to compete in the final in Kronenberg as well, to maybe secure the win there. The title Rider of the Year sounds very good in any case. Of course I will try to win, I am in a good starting position now.”
With 31 points, Italy’s Antonino Sottile follows in second place and then already Johann Greve comes in third with 30 points ahead of Antoine Ermann (France) with 28 points. At the eighth and final stop of the BEMER Young Riders Tour, the U21 candidates will compete for starting places in the renowned BEMER Riders Tour in the 2023 tour year. The top placed riders will receive permission for several starts in the international series, graded according to their ranking.
Result BEMER Young Riders Tour Grand Prix – Internat. class with jump-off
1. Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL), Cuffesgrange Cavadora 0/ 48,46
2. Johann Greve (GER), Caressina 0/51,97
3. Matthis Westendarp (GER), Chillert Blue 4/ 48,07
4. Emma Bodier (FRA), Medoc de Muze 4/51,44
5. Paul Ripploh (GER), Ride Smart Chevalier de Blue 1/ 80,22
6. Henrike-Sophie Boy (GER), Aquarell Sun 4/ 75,59
Ranking BEMER Young Riders Tour after 7 of 8 legs
1. Matthis Westendarp (GER), 32 points
2. Antonino Sottile (ITA), 31
3. Johann Greve (30), 30
4. Antoine Ermann (FRA), 28
5. Dylan Ringot (FRA), 21
6. Lorenzo Correddu (ITA), 20
6. Chiara Coppo (ITA), 20
6. Johanna Beckmann (GER), 20
6. Skye Morssinkhof (NED), 20
6. Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL), 20
Photo © Rüchel / Mhisen