Photo: Adam Fanthorpe
Britain has won three gold and two bronze medals at the Pony European Championships at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire.
‘Fantastic result’
The showjumping team took gold on eight penalties ahead of Sweden in silver position and France in bronze.
Jumping on Team LeMieux were 13-year-old Claudia Moore (Elando van de Roshoeve),15 year-old Shaunie Greig (Casino Royale), 15 year-old Perdita Digby (Kayleighs Star) and 16-year-old Nicole Lockhead Anderson (Gangnam Style II).
“It’s a fantastic result,” said chef d’equipe Clare Whitaker, who is married to the legendary showjumper John.
“I was helping warm Nicole up when word came through that they’d won the gold. I wasn’t sure and didn’t dare believe it until official confirmation came.”
‘So emotional’
Claudia went on to win individual bronze with Elando van de Roshoeve, and is the youngest Brit to win a Pony European Championship medal.
“To have won a team medal and then to win an individual medal was just the icing on the cake,” said Claudia. “When I came out the arena mum and dad started crying, they were so emotional. I didn’t join them in the crying as I think I had cried myself dry on the Friday!”
Silver went to Ireland’s Max Wachman, while Swedish rider Ingemar Hammarstrom was crowned European Pony Showjumping Champion.
Held their nerve
On the final day of the championships Team GB won team gold and individual gold and bronze in the eventing. It was a thrilling competition, where one showjump would have made the difference between a medal and dropping outside the top ten.
However the team held their nerve, and Hattie Grace (Noble Superman), Ellie Healy (Midnight Dancer II), Daisy Proctor (Holiday Chase) and Saffie Osborne (Little Indian Feather) hung onto gold with a final score of 101 penalties. Ireland took silver on 107.5 and France won bronze with 108.5.
Over the moon
In the individual event 16-year-old Saffie jumped clear for gold while Daisy won bronze.
“I’m so happy to do it for everyone,” said Saffie. “Everyone deserves this so much, it’s not so much the individual medal, but to be able to bring home the team gold is incredible. I’m over the moon for everyone it couldn’t have gone much better!”
You can watch highlights of the Pony European Championships on Horse & Country. Watch us on Sky 184, Virgin TV 298, Horse & Country TV, Amazon Video and Roku.
FEI European Pony Championships: Dressage premieres on Monday 20 August at 7.30pm
FEI European Pony Championships: Showjumping premieres on Tuesday 21 August at 7.30pm
FEI European Pony Championships: Eventing premieres on Wednesday 22 August at 7.30pm
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