The Horti Challenge, an international professional competition for young gardeners, took place at Räpina School of Horticulture in Estonia on May 24-25, 2024, as part of the Räpina Good Home Days and the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 program. 14 teams from twelve European countries participated in the competition. Competitors had to solve various tasks in twenty competition areas, testing themselves in activities like grafting a fruit tree, planting plants and connecting irrigation systems, determining the pH of the soil, driving a stunt car with a lawn tractor, and building birdhouses. Both competition days were hot and tense.
The first day of the competition ended with a trip to Setomaa, where participants got to know the local culture and enjoyed traditional Seto foods. The evening culminated with a pleasant boat ride on Lämmijärv lake.
The second competition day was further enhanced by the Good Home days in Räpina. A diverse cultural program was offered in front of Loomemaja, and the best log house builders were judged in the manor park. In front of the horticulture school, the sounds of instruments and singing filled the air, making the gardening competition even more special. It was a pleasure to see the local people’s enthusiastic participation in all the events.
The results of the competition days were announced at a festive award ceremony in the park. The best young gardeners in Europe in 2024 are:
1st place: Austria 1 team – Emil Obetzhauser and Jürgen Piller, tutor Ricarda Öllerer;
2nd place Estonia 2 team – Sirli Übius and Pent Joonas Kopelman, tutor Andres Vaasa;
3rd place Ireland team – Aoife Hester and Chelirs Brecq, tutor Deirdre Walsh.
Congratulations!
Find yourself in the photos of the event!
Final results report of Horti Challenge 2024
