Britain has won team bronze and individual silver at the FEI 2014 Young Rider European Championships in Portugal (17-21 September).
Foot perfect
Holly Woodhead was lying in second place going into the final phase after a great clear on the cross-country, within the time allowed. A single rail down would have cost her a medal, but DHI Lupison produced a foot-perfect round to secure their silver medal (48.7pen).
Holly came within two penalty points of winning gold. Germany’s Charlotte Hackmeister (Kassio) had two fences in hand, both of which she used to finish on a winning score of 46.5pen. Ireland’s Elizabeth Hayden and Miracle took bronze (51.0pen).
Tom Jackson also went clear on the cross-country riding Waltham Fiddlers, but gained 9.20 time faults. The pair then pulled off another clear in the showjumping to finish seventh over all on a score of 56.9pen.
Thunderstorms
The rest of the British team didn’t fare so well on the cross-country course, however. David Doel, who in first place following the dressage, had a run-out and 24 time penalties which moved him down the leaderboard.
David was one of the last combinations on the course and was held at the start due to a thunderstorm. The ground was very heavy and Miss Caruso ran out at the second of the double of corners at fence 11.
Alex Liddle (Romeo) also incurred 20pen for a run-out at the same fence, plus time faults, as did individual riders Isabella Innes Ker (Rosses Captain) and Sophie Beaty (Stanly) – who was on the course during the huge downpour.
Tough course
They pulled it back in the showjumping, however, despite the tough course which saw just 13 clears. David had one pole to finish 19th as did Sophie who came 33rd. Alex and Bella both jumped text book rounds to take 21st and 22nd place.
Their team performance saw them finish with a bronze medal, behind Germany in silver medal position, while gold went to Ireland.
“After yesterday’s disappointments [in the cross-country phase], I am so thrilled for all the riders,” said Alex Colquhoun, chairman of the Askham Bryan Young Rider selectors. “They lowered just two poles between them during some fantastic show jumping. It has been a roller coaster of a week, and in the end team bronze and individual silver for Holly is a great result.”