Britain wins bronze at the European Dressage Championships

Britain has won the team bronze medal at the European Dressage Championships thanks to four great performances.

In a nail-biting denouement, Britain’s Richard Davison and the Danish-bred mare Ballaseyr Royale (pictured) revelled in the tension to score 70.04% in the grand prix, putting the squeeze on the Dutch team.

The final Dutch combination rode just prior to the British and scored 71.29%, meaning that Richard had to earn more than 68.11% to secure team bronze.

“I’ve always believed in Royale,” said Richard, “she’s a lovely mare with a lovely brain who always rises to the occasion in the arena.

“I loved the tension and the support from the crowd.”

This is Britain’s first team medal since gaining the bronze at the 1993 European Championships at Lipica, Slovenia — a 10-year drought.

“We have had good times and lean times over the years and there have been many occasions when things just haven’t worked out,” Richard added. “But dressage insiders always knew that we were capable of doing better — it was just the outside world who didn’t realise it until now.”

Germany took the team gold medal, while Spain got the silver.

British scores

Emma Hindle (Wie Weltmeyer) 71.08%

Nicola McGivern (Active Walero) 70.50%

Richard Davison (Ballaseyr Royale) 70.04%

Emile Faurie (Rascher Hopes) 66.46%

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