The 2006 Junior European Working Equitation Championships took place in Oristano, Sardinia on 10^th – 12^th September as part of the “Sardegna Cavalli” Horse Show.

Riders from Portugal, Italy and the UK competed for the individual title which was won by Portuguese rider David Gomes on his purebred Lusitano, Rafa. In second place was Francisco Silva, also Portuguese, riding his Portuguese cruzado Ortega, and in third place was Mattu Giovanni from Italy. Portugal won the team gold medal and Italy won the team silver medal.

The riders from Great Britain were 16 year old Holly Barber, with her partbred “cruzado” Galan, and 11 year old Charlotte Lee with her young Lusitano mare Vingadora. Holly gave solid performances in the dressage test and obstacle course, and excelled herself in the cattle penning test with the 5^th fastest time. Charlotte was competing for the first time in a working equitation championship; back home she is experienced in showing working hunter ponies. Her determination and single mindedness throughout the competition attracted many admirers. Congratulations to Sue Barber, proprietor of Pine Lodge School of Equitation in Norolk, who put forward these 2 young riders.

The “Sardinia experience” was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part – the journey was a long one for the horses (overland to Genoa and then a 14 hour ferry journey to Porto Torres in Sardinia) and also for all the teams, but well worth the effort involved.  The accommodation at the Ala Birdi Horse Country holiday complex in Arborea was excellent and the friendly atmosphere amongst the teams and competitors will be remembered by everyone for a very long time. Our grateful thanks are due to Maria Grazia Sechi, President of the Sardinia branch of FISE (Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri).