Alin Yazıcı returned from the championship in Germany with a victory

Yazıcı, who managed to finish in the top 10 in the competition, which featured 114 athletes from 32 countries, said, “One of my dreams since I was little was to reach the finals and place in the top 10. I'm so proud to have achieved this. I have the right to compete in the junior category for another year. I aim to win a medal next year. I was a little stressed in the final, but frankly, knowing my horse so well calmed me down. This is the first time I've achieved this level. This was my fourth European Championship, but unfortunately, I haven't made it to the finals in the last three. This year, I finished 7th.”

Sixteen-year-old Alin Yazıcı, whose love of horses began at a very young age and who has been riding for eight years, placed 7th at the European Show Jumping Championships held in Germany on July 13th. Yazıcı, who won the Balkan championship in the junior category in 2023 and the young adult team category in 2024, has achieved first place, top three, and top ten finishes in numerous international competitions. Yazıcı expressed his joy and pride in placing in the top ten at the European Show Jumping Championships and aims to win a medal next year.

'Knowing my horse so well calmed me down'

Yazıcı, who stated that he was very excited about the competition but that his horse calmed him down, said, “I competed in the Junior European Championships from July 7th to 13th. I came in 7th out of 114 competitors. 32 countries participated. I am very happy and proud to come in 7th. One of my dreams since I was little was to make it to the finals and finish in the top 10 in this competition. I am very proud to have achieved this. I am also very happy with my horse. I have been racing with this horse for five years. I know my horse very well. Achieving this success with him was very special. I have the right to compete in the junior category for one more year, and I aim to win a medal next year. This competition has five courses and lasts a week. It is a long race. I was a little stressed during the final on the last day, but frankly, knowing my horse very well calmed me down. This helped me achieve success. I have achieved this ranking for the first time. This was my fourth European Championship, but unfortunately, I hadn't made it to the finals in the last three. This year was the first time I made it, and I finished 7th.” "I became," he said.

'I THINK OUR HORSES ARE VERY HAPPY HERE'

Yazıcı, who stated that he has been a member of Kemer Country Club for five years, said, "I've also been on the national team for four. It's very humbling to represent our country on the national team and Kemer Country Club at the same time. I love being in Kemer. The facilities here are wonderful, with beautiful grass and fields for the horses. I think our horses are very happy here."

'I'VE FALLEN FROM A HORSE MANY TIMES, BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID'

Yazıcı, who said she learned about this sport from a friend, said, “A very close friend of mine also rode horses. She's third in Europe. I learned about this sport from her, and that's how I started. We're both still doing it. I've fallen off my horse many times, but I'm never afraid. I still fall. Thank God, I haven't had any serious problems so far, and I hope I don't. The most I've ever run in a competition is 145 centimeters. I've also jumped 180 centimeters at home. I'll be running my first 150 centimeter race in future competitions. I'm hoping for a good performance. I'm aiming for a medal next year. We have a great young team this year. Hopefully, we'll be competing in more Nations Cups next year and representing our country on the podium.”

'I SWITCHED TO ONLINE SCHOOL'

Yazıcı, who stated that he switched to online school this year, said, “I was missing a lot of school days because I was traveling so much. That's why my parents and I decided to switch to online school. Online school has been a huge relief. I can access my classes from anywhere. Lecture recordings are uploaded, and I can study by watching them. My grades are good now, and I hope they stay that way. My day goes like this: I start at 6:30 a.m. I go to the gym at 7:00 a.m., then I move on to riding horses. I'm at the farm by 8:30 a.m. I ride all day, including the horses my teacher gives me. From there, I go home, rest for an hour, and usually go for a run. I try to stay active. If I'm at school, I study and finish my day.”

'MY PARENTS WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE'

Alin Yazıcı, who stated that her parents are very supportive, said, "My father, in particular, has been traveling with me and coming to races for the last five years. He's sacrificed so much for me. I'm truly grateful to him. My mother holds a special place in my heart, too. She's always supportive. She comes to my races whenever she can and supports me. Even from afar, I always feel her support."

"WE ARE TRYING TO PROMOTE THIS SPORT BY PROVIDING AS MUCH SUPPORT AS WE CAN"

Alin Yazıcı's father, Alp Yazıcı, said:

Alin started his sports career in elementary school at Istanbul Boys' High School. He then transitioned from pony to horseback riding. After competing in Türkiye, he said he wanted to pursue this sport internationally. We supported him in this endeavor. He first continued riding in Bulgaria. Then we moved on to the Netherlands and Belgium. He's currently continuing his equestrian career in the Netherlands. We're trying to support him in his pursuit of horse riding by providing him with as much support as we can to help him progress in this sport. His determination makes us proud. He's a truly hard-working kid. I want to tell families who want to try this sport: they need to be patient. They need to persevere and not be discouraged by setbacks. My daughter finished 7th, and we were thrilled. He's been a Balkan champion before, but this was on a whole different level. It made us very happy.

Reporter: News Center