Germany has won team gold at the pony European dressage championships, ahead of the Netherlands. Britain claimed the bronze medal, despite only three of the four riders competing in the team competition.
Germany took the first four places individually in the team test, with Carlotta Hassenburger winning on an impressive score of 75.790%. All of the German team members scored more than 72%. The Netherlands took three of the next four positions.
Emily Harris on Don Joshi was the highest placed British rider in equal 10th on 68.526%. Olivia Kuropatwa scored 67.632% on Uropatwa for equal 12th, with Alexandria Barr riding De Vito 6 in 14th on 67.105%. Alice Thompson and Donnerblitz IV did not take part as Donnerblitz had knocked himself in the practise arena the previous day.
Team coach Peter Storr said: This is a good start to my first season as team coach. The medal is more than the selectors and I had hoped for. There is a great team spirit and all the riders performed well under pressure.
In the individual competition, Germany won all three medals. Alexandra was the best Britisih rider in the individual competition in 11th place with 68.15%. Olivia finished 13th and Emily 14th.
See Horse&Hound magazine 2 August for a full report and pictures from the pony European Championships in dressage, eventing and show jumping
