History

About the history of the veteran jumping riding sport and AJA

The origins of the veteran jumping riding sport probably lie in Switzerland. As early as 1973 several leading Swiss riding sport personalities met in Paul Weier’s restaurant and founded a veteran club for jumping riders.

The first international veterans’ meeting was held in 1985 in Eindhoven/Netherlands. The first international veteran tournament followed in 1987 in Switzerland with riders from Germany and Austria. The first international veteran tournament in Germany took place in 1990 in Lende. Tournaments in various European countries followed during the 90s including once in Moscow, twice in Kiev and once across the ocean, in West Palm Beach/USA. Teams from the USA, Ukraine, UDSSR and Poland also regularly took part in international veteran tournaments in Switzerland.In Moscow Danish riders also participated.

In October 1996 the International Association of Veteran Jumping Riders (VJR) was founded in Barcelona. At the General Assembly 2007, a change of name was decided. The new name is:
International Association of Jumping Riding Ambassadors (AJA). Today AJA unites over 300 active members from 12 European countries. In its 15 years the association has held more than 130 international tournaments.AJA is recognised by the FEI as the international section of the veteran sport of show jumping and has included it in its regulations.