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European Vaulting Junior Final
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
The final Free Test propelled the German Junior team to European gold, with just the slightest of margins on defending title holder Austria. As expected, Germany and Austria were in a league of their own, performing at a level which could effectively rival some of the senior teams. If the decibel level emanating from the stands was anything to go by, then both teams made a huge impression. Germany won on a score of 7.834 while Austria came a very close second with 7.788. Slovakia retained it’s bronze medal position, with a score of 7.100.
In terms of composition, technical accuracy, originality and degree of difficulty, the top two were exceptional. Austria’s composition was particularly interesting with fluid, original transitions, while Germany was irreproachable in terms of technical ability and accuracy. The evolution of all the teams as a whole is undeniable, there’s innovation in the technique and the transitions and it is evident, particularly with the top 6 that greater time, preparation, and concerns with composition have taken their performances to a whole new level.
The horse score is also very much at the heart of this trend, with a noticeable improvement in the quality of the horses. In many ways, the introduction of the horse score couldn’t have come at a better time, because it has made the unit all the stronger. Every aspect of the team is elementary to the success, the longeur, the horses and the vaulters – and it is only through solid cooperation and hard work that the unit can succeed. Germany, who won today, also had the highest horse score for the competition, followed by Great Britain then Austria. “Trainers and longeurs now realise the importance of this and work their horses and athletes to ensure that this solid partnership between the vaulter, the longeur and the horse is developed” said Susanne Detol (USA), FEI Judge at the Championships. Today’s top horse score went to great Britain
To date, that is since the inception of the European Junior Team competition in 2005, Austria (pic right) have won twice, Germany has now won for the first time and Slovakia have neatly slotted into third place every time. There is a sense that the top two teams – Germany and Austria – are untouchable, but this will only last so long as the other teams close the gap.
Results – Junior Teams 1. Germany – 7.834 2. Austria – 7.788 3. Slovakia – 7.100 4. Switzerland – 6.601 5. France – 6.447 6. Great Britain – 6.360 7. Brazil – 6.316 8. Italy – 6.202 9. Czech Republic – 6.060 10. The Netherlands – 5.999 11. Columbia – 5.531
The final Free Test propelled the German Junior team to European gold, with just the slightest of margins on defending title holder Austria. As expected, Germany and Austria were in a league of their own, performing at a level which could effectively rival some of the senior teams. If the decibel level emanating from the stands was anything to go by, then both teams made a huge impression. Germany won on a score of 7.834 while Austria came a very close second with 7.788. Slovakia retained it’s bronze medal position, with a score of 7.100. 
To date, that is since the inception of the European Junior Team competition in 2005, Austria