The Helsinki Horse Show kicked off at the Kultajousi Arena with the Amateur Tour competition series. The Amateur Tour is a competition series designed for hobby riders, giving Finnish riders the chance to compete on the international stage. This competition series began with preliminary qualifiers last fall, and now it culminates here at Finland’s most anticipated event—the Helsinki International Horse Show! The final qualifying rounds will take place on Thursday and Friday, and the entire series will come to a close on Sunday with the exciting Amateur Tour TOP 10 Finals presented by Black Horse.
The Amateur Tour 80 cm, presented by Horse & Rider Nordic, kicked off the competition
The first class of the day was the Amateur Tour 80 cm 1, which was judged based on a skill assessment. In a skill assessment, the rider’s seat, their handling of the course, and the overall impression of the rider-horse pair are evaluated. Thirty-four horse-and-rider pairs competed in the class, nine of whom placed.
The atmosphere during warm-ups was focused and enthusiastic. The class featured plenty of smooth, precise riding and fast-paced courses. The stands were filled with enthusiastic equestrian fans and supporters of the competitors.
Riding skillfully to the top of the class were Mea Tiainen on Berline and Clara Wickholm on Lotte’s Lucky, representing Peikin Riding School and the Kauniaisten Ratsastajat Association. Heini Moisio, who placed third on her horse Must Have Chocolate, represents Riding Club Solbacka. The differences in scores among the top three riders were minimal, just 0.3 points. The atmosphere at the awards ceremony was electric as the top five riders in the class took their victory lap to thunderous applause.
Saana Nissi and Oscar, owned by Heidehof, take the lead in the 80 cm class
The other 80-cm class also featured skilled riders who completed the course beautifully, adhering to the criteria for the technical evaluation. The competitors’ joy on the course was palpable even to the spectators. The riders received praise for their seat, presence, and clean, balanced performance.
The top nine horse-and-rider pairs in the class all scored eight points or more. Saana Nissi, representing Riding Club Solbacka, won the class in impressive fashion. The horse-and-rider pair was described as a “good match.” Oscar, the horse that won the class, began his career as a school horse at Stall Solbacka last summer and is already one of the most popular mounts. Irene Palomo Virta and her horse Little John took second place. They represent the Salo Equestrian Center and its riding club, the Salo Riding Club.
“That was a good, positive ride. You got everything right out there; you’re sitting well and have a good influence on the horse. Just a little more suppleness, and finish the turns on time,” was the judge’s comment on the third-place rider, Louna Rouhiainen, riding Lotte’s Lucky.
Peikin Riding School is a riding school founded in 1992 by competitive rider Peik Andersis, and its competition activities are managed by the Kauniaisten Ratsastajat riding club, which Rouhiainen represents. Kauniaisten Ratsastajat got off to a strong start to the competition weekend, as its members took the top two spots in the second 80 cm class.
Sonja Suominen Wins on Power Lady Z
The Amateur Tour 95 cm, presented by Print Team Finland, was a two-stage competition. The class got off to a fast start and kept the audience captivated. Once again, the Kultajousi Arena saw several fast and clean performances.
Sonia Suominen, representing Lohjan Ratsastajat, took a commanding lead in the class with a flawless performance in the jump-off on her horse Power Lady Z, clocking a time of 24.85. Alma Wikman, riding Mollys Boy and representing Tallitiimi Ry, rode superbly to take second place in the class. Tallitiimi is a club primarily active in the Hämeenkyrö area, founded back in 1986. Third place went to Fanny Ojala, riding It’s Kanny, representing Ratsutiimi. The time difference between the second- and third-place finishers in the jump-off was just 0.87 seconds.
The Lohja Riders virtually dominated the Amateur Tour 95 cm class, as the rest of the top finishers in the class also represent the club. Irina Sopukki rode Oh My Magnolia KLT to fourth place, Aada Raitasuo rode Killalla Nelly to fifth place, and Anna Marin rode Caballero to sixth place. Lohjan Ratsastajat is an equestrian club founded in 1981 that, for example, supports its members with training grants.
Saana Salminen and Clarissa RD were the fastest in the 105 class
The Amateur Tour 105 cm, presented by Velj. Wahlsten, was also a two-phase competition. Only three riders managed to complete the basic course without any penalty points and advanced to the jump-off.
Jocefina Westerberg, riding Vergi and representing the Evitskog Riders, was the first to achieve a double clear round in the competition, but she lost her lead to Saana Salminen, who rode Clarissa RD and posted a significantly faster time. Salminen rides for Godwill Riders, an active equestrian club based in Ylöjärvi that has been in operation since 2004. Third place in the class went to Elsa Sjöström of the Keisarinmäki Riders on her horse Nevada Di Parta TR.
Results, February 26
80 cm presented by Horse & Rider Nordic 80 cm, skill evaluation. Started 34th, placed 9th.
1) Mea Tiainen – Berline, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat 8.7
2) Clara Wickholm – Lotte’s Lucky, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat – Grankulla Ryttare 8.6
3) Heini Moisio – Must Have Chocolate, Riding Club Solbacka 8.5
4) Hilla Viitanen – Colibri, Salo Riding Club 8.4
5) Elle Marjamäki – KG Sienna, Tallitiimi 8.3
6) Charlotta Von Essen – SDL Annubis (Lotuss), Kauniaisten Ratsastajat 8.2
6) Pauliina Ramberg – Oscar v/h Heidehof, Riding Club Solbacka 8.2
8) Anna Ipsen – Jura V/D Bisschop, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat 8.1
9) Jemina Pyhälä – Eldora, Hämeen Ratsastajat 7.
Full results: LINK
Amateur Tour 80 cm presented by Horse & Rider Nordic 80 cm, skill competition. Started 33rd, placed 9th.
1) Saana Nissi – Oscar v/h Heidehof, Riding Club Solbacka 8.6
2) Irene Palomo Virta – Little John, Salo Riding Club 8.5
3) Eerika Hallikainen – Lady, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat April 8
3) Louna Rouhiainen – Lotte’s Lucky, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat April 8
5) Mette Mettala – Parabellimo, Salo Riding Club 8.3
6) Laura Mickelsson – Saltando Gold, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat 8.2
7) Nessa Segercrantz – Zizi M, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat 8.1
7) Laura Whiteside – Berline, Kauniaisten Ratsastajat 8.1
9) Santra Ahola – Doyher Triona 279 C, Horsepower Riders 8.0
9) Venla Laaksonen – Hot General, Tammer Riders 8.0
Full results: LINK
95 cm, presented by Print Team Finland, basic course and jump-off. Started 23rd, finished 6th.
1) Sonia Suominen – Power Lady Z, Lohjan Ratsastajat 0-0/24.85
2) Alma Wikman – Mollys Boy, Tallitiimi 0-0/26.06
3) Fanny Ojala – It’s Kanny, Ratsutiimi 0-0/26.93
4) Irina Sopukki – Oh My Magnolia KLT, Lohjan Ratsastajat 0-0/27.01
5) Aada Raitasuo – Killala Nelly, Lohjan Ratsastajat 0-0/27.60
6) Anna Marin – Caballero, Lohjan Ratsastajat 0-0/29.02
Full results: LINK
105 cm, presented by Velj. Wahlsten: 105 cm, basic course and jump-off. Started in 9th place, finished 3rd.
1) Saana Salminen – Clarissa RD, Goodwill Riders 0-0/26.82
2) Jocefina Westerberg – Vergi, Evitskogin Ratsastajat 0-0/32.84
3) Elsa Sjöström – Nevada di Parta TR, Keisarinmäen Ratsastajat 0-4/25.26
Full results: LINK
