Roni Slavin, a young lady only 16.5 years old, of Ein Hatzeba, a southern agricultural community, was awarded the title of European champion of the Western Pleasure event for youth in the 14th European Quarter Horse Championships. The competition was held from the 29th of August through the 7th of September in Reggio Emilia, Italy.



According to the Walla! gateway website, another young Israeli rider, Donna Milo, 18, of Benyamina, won the title of European champion in the Hunter Under Saddle event, as well as second place in Western Pleasure and third in Showmanship at Halter. Milo, who has been riding since she was eleven years old, is the daughter of parents who made aliyah from the United States.

The equestrian competition itself was only marred by a major theft of thirty saddles, which occurred on the evening prior to the start of the competition. One of the Israeli riders, not named, commented on the theft, according to Western Reiter Web Services, by saying, “If such a thing would have happened in Israel, the saddles would have been returned in the shortest time.”



The two Israeli champs are members of the Aviv team, 30 youths who are training to be selected to participate in the world cup championship competition to be held in Australia next year.