Britain’s show jumpers make it six in a row after winning team gold at the Pony Europeans in Germany
The British team of Martha Beaumont, Louise Pavitt (pictured), Lance Whitehouse and Hollie Bohringer brought their sport to a new level at Lanaken, Belgium, where they claimed the pony European Championship title for the sixth successive year.
The riders were also on a high after celebrating gold and silver individual medals for Martha and Louise two days before.
The entire British team went clear in the first round> of the team competition, including full-back Martha, who did not have to jump Colton Maelstrom, but was sent in by chef d’equipe Katrina Moore to get the feel of the course.
At the halfway stage, Britain led from Holland, with the other teams already two fences adrift. Louise Pavitt (New York Spritzer) and Lance Whitehouse (Gold Harvest) then cameback clear, the Dutch fell behind and it was down to Hollie Bohringer.
If she could go clear again on her marvellous 20-year-old Landown Three’s Are Wild, the title would be Britain’s.
Hollie may have been the least-experienced member of the team, but she showed tremendous maturity and a clear round meant that Martha did not have to jump again.
The individual championship was a closer affair, with Martha and Louise facing a strong challenge from Ireland’s Anthony Condon on Another Riot.
Chef d’equipe Katrina Moore was delighted with this performance.
“They were so professional in their approach and managed to remain totally focused,” she said. “I’m really pleased for Martha and Louise, whose individual medals were no more than they deserved.”
All in all, these were great championships. The Lanaken arena was fantastic and the organisation second to none. The courses were strong, featuring light materials and shallow cups, and the most pleasing thing was the number of rivals who said that the British ponies and riders are the envy of the world.
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