Young talents battle for top spot in Arena Youth Tour – nation-wide series with final in Scandinavium.

In Scandinavium during the Gothenburg Horse Show, a warm-up and a final are part of the program.  In today's decisive finale five combinations went through to the jump-off. Arena Youth Tour is the series that prepares the future team riders and 15 riders had earned a place in Scandinavium. Best junior was Alicia Svensson with Incredible JVH Z (ZANG Gelding 10 years by Indoktro van't Kattenheye – President, Owner Fredrik Synnerstad) who also won overall in the class. Izabelle Stolth was best young rider on her Hero (KWPN Stallion 12 years by Glasgow v. Merelsnest – Voltaire Pref Owner Ulrika Stolth).

Alicia Svensson went out first in the jump-off and set another flawless ride.

- I followed the plan well and my horse did his best today. It was a lot of fun. Dad and I have shared my horse for some time and my horse really is incredible. I have ridden him a little on and off for 1.5 years.

- I have ridden several of the qualifiers but managed to take my place at the last chance in Borås. It is a special feeling to ride in here.

Izabelle Stolth believes that the qualifying competitions in themselves have been a path towards development for her and her horse.

- I have done most of the qualifiers and those courses are a bit more technical than normal 145 classes, I think. So jumping them is very challenging and educational. I qualified in Stockholm in November, so I haven't jumped the last few qualifications.

- It's a different feeling, a different atmosphere when you enter Scandinavium, the audience that sits around the entire stands and the music comes on, you can hear a lot, it's pounding.

- My horse and I have been a team for four years now.

The idea of participating in the Arena Youth Tour has been alive for both of them for a long time and Alicia puts it into words.

- Yes, for me it definitely was a dream. When I rode Children classes, this was the biggest dream. I always sat and watched everyone else ride here, so it was a big dream, explains Alicia.

Class result

1. Alicia Svensson
2. Liam Nilsson
3. Linn Arvidsson
4. Izabelle Stolth

Link to results