America’s reining riders headed home from Normandy with a clean sweep of medals, with individual gold, silver and bronze as well as team gold.
Another gold
The USA’s Shawn Flarida added another individual gold to his collection, partnering the seven-year-old Spooks Gotta Whiz to score 233.5. His team mates Andrea Fappani (230) and Mandy McCutcheon (227) clinched silver and bronze.
“Andrea put so much pressure on me as far as he went in there and marked a 230 – but at the same time it was a lot of fun, just knowing that I had that horse to do what he can do,” said Shawn.
Top Brit
The only British rider to make it into the final from the consolation rounds was Josh Collins. The 24-year-old from Kent once again impressed in his final pattern with the pint-sized Spook a Little. They posted a score of 218 to finish in 15th place.
“It’s been epic and such great fun,” said Josh. “We didn’t quite get our first stop when he got quite excited and I don’t think he heard me say whoa but other than that he was brilliant. He’s usually a huge stopper and he came back on every manoeuvre after that and was right with me. A crowd like this is what you compete for, it makes it so special.”
The rider plans to return to challenge for a medal at next year’s FEI European Reining Championships in Aachen, Germany. “He’ll have a rest now and there are some competitions I want to do at the end of the year before we prepare for the Europeans in Aachen next year.”
Growing sport
Chef d’Equipe of the British reining team Adam Heaton is delighted with Britain’s performance in this growing discipline.
“We knew they were capable of doing well but putting expectation on that is always difficult,” he said. “To get four through to the consolation and one into the final has more than surpassed this; it’s a beautiful end to a beautiful week.
“Josh and Jess have both brought young blood into the sport for GB and there are others coming through back at home. If they can grow at the same rate they have then the future looks great.”
Full results:http://www.normandy2014.com/2014-games/the-disciplines/7/reining