Latest from Horse & Hound in Pony-european-championships

British team overcomes stopwatch failure and a technical track to land two medals at pony eventing Europeans

Becky Murray — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:20:58 +0000

Britain’s team delivered a super silver at the pony European Eventing Championships (31 July-3 August) in Le Mans, France, holding second in the standings throughout the competition.

Team member Annabel Ridgway added to the medal haul by landing the individual bronze with Project Pony’s Akim De L’Arquerie.

The team of Annabel, Arabella Henderson and Hannah Henderson’s Our Billy Eile (seventh), Florence Drewitt with the Drewitts’ Battlestown Delight (16th) and Alice Fraser and Erica Watson’s Bookhamlodge Pennylane, got proceedings off to a great start by slotting into provisional silver after the dressage, behind Germany.

Cross-country course-designer Pierre Michelet’s track proved influential; two notable water combinations late on course caused the most problems. Arabella was the pathfinder and a confident clear inside the time provided her team-mates with valuable information.

“It was a little bit nerve-racking going first, and then my stopwatch didn’t start, so I had to keep the pace up, but luckily ‘Mabel’ is a bit of a speed demon,” said Arabella.

“Near the end there was a corner off a sharp left-hand turn that I had planned to go the long route, but because she’d given me such confidence all the way round, I went direct. I was really pleased with how she tackled it, she was definitely game-on.”

Annabel was last to set out for the team and a clear was needed to maintain Britain’s podium position. Florence had picked up 20 penalties and 4.8 time-faults, and Alice suffered an unfortunate technical elimination for missing an element when re-presenting at a combination, having completed the course.

“The course walked quite tough but ‘Otto’ loved it,” said Annabel. “I have such a good partnership with him and he trusts me. His ears were forward the whole time and it all went to plan.”

The pair’s faultless round moved them up from seventh to provisional bronze individually.

Going into the final showjumping phase Britain was on a score of 117.4, behind reigning champions France, who finished the cross-country on a score of 86.7.

The Brits held a comfortable buffer ahead of the Netherlands (169.9) in provisional third but this was not needed as all three counting riders posted clear jumping rounds, Florence adding just 0.4 of a time-penalty to the team tally, to claim the silver. France won gold, and Germany moved back on to the podium, taking bronze.

“It’s amazing just to be able to go to the Europeans, let alone to go with a pony who is my best friend. I’ve grown up with Mabel, so it’s brilliant to finish my journey with her on a high,” said Arabella, who moves on to horses next season. “There’s been such great team spirit and everyone has been so supportive.”

Annabel Ridgway and Akim De L’Arquerie claim individual bronze at the 2025 pony European Eventing Championships. (Image credit: Libby Law/FEI)

Annabel claimed the individual bronze, at her final pony Europeans. France’s Ella Rinaldi won individual gold with Boston Du Verdon and Germany’s Milla Staade and Charleen San silver.

“You really get to know your team-mates, it’s been so nice,” said Annabel. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, so for it to all come together, and to get the individual medal too, is extra-special.”

Pony European Eventing Championships: ‘Proud of our riders’

British individual combinations, Maisie Greening with her own Kilnaspic Lily, and Cleo Whitbread on Claire Davis and Isabel Lhoyd-Owen’s Night Fury, finished 17th and 26th respectively.

Chef d’equipe Camilla Kruger, who led the Brits with coach Nicola Wilson, said the standard of these young riders is “very exciting”.

“We are very proud of all our riders,” she said. “In the dressage we had three riders in the sub-30s, which was great, and the cross-country was very influential – although it is a 1.05m track, the technicality was three-star, so it’s decent for these 14.2hh ponies. In the showjumping our riders jumped exceptionally and the ponies came out looking fantastic.”

Camilla thanked everyone involved: “It doesn’t take one or two of us, it takes a whole team to get that result,” she said. “We are so grateful for the support of British Eventing and our sponsors for giving these riders opportunities to go overseas and compete for the British team.”

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Gold! Great Britain triumphs in toughest conditions at pony European Championships

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:18:40 +0000

Continuing a bountiful summer of medals for Great Britain’s youth and senior showjumping squads, a highly talented team of pony riders triumphed under the toughest conditions to win a glorious gold at the pony European showjumping championships at Le Mans, France.

Having battled neck and neck with Ireland throughout the contest and as both squads completed on a zero score, the most nerve-racking of jump-offs ensued between the two nations to decide the gold and silver medals.

Brushing off intense pressure, Great Britain’s quartet of Darcy Breen (One Saharah), Hollie Gerken (Galaxy V), Nellie Lock with Catho Van De Langvelden Z and Sophia Rogers on Neil 55 gained a four-fault advantage over their opponents against the clock to secure the European championship crown.

The team, led by chef d’equipe Clare Whitaker, were joined on the podium by fifth rider Lucy Capper (Oscar Van De Beekerheide).

“All the riders did very well – we enjoyed it,” said Clare. “It was hard though – we had six jump-offs with Ireland in total, four for the team and two individually.

“We’ve had a really good year with the youth teams – the championships sometimes go right, sometimes go wrong, that’s the sport. But it’s been great.”

Ireland’s chef d’equipe Denis Flannelly hailed his silver medal-winning squad as “absolutely brilliant”. Flying the flag were Ruben Foley (Wineport Q Junior), Sam Widger with Western Ranger, Charlie Flynn riding HK Zena, Lily Tunney (Fireman) and fifth rider Cian McMunn (Esperando SK).

“To finish a championship on a zero score shows the level of rider and the level of pony we have within our ranks, and I couldn’t be prouder,” he said. “We know how difficult a team jump-off is and they were superb again but it just didn’t go our way. To win silver is fantastic.”

Great Britain’s showjumping team wins gold at the pony European showjumping championships in Le Mans, France. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Individual gold at the pony European showjumping championships

Ireland went on to celebrate a new European champion. Cian McMunn and Esperando SK took individual honours after another jump-off, this time against Great Britain’s Darcy Breen (One Saharah).

Remarkably, these two combinations concluded Sunday’s final leg still on a zero score. But after Cian delivered his fifth faultless round of the week at a tremendous pace, Darcy unfortunately succumbed to a midway rail against the clock, meaning the gold went the way of the Irish.

The bronze medal was decided by yet another jump-off where Ireland’s Charlie Flynn riding HK Zena came home 0.65sec faster than Great Britain’s Sophia Rogers with the ultra-consistent Neil 55.

“Cian and Charlie have jumped spectacularly well all week and when the pressure was really on they showed how much it meant to them, keeping their composure and jumping two quick, clear rounds,” said Denis Flannelly. “I think, secretly, the two lads had that extra bit of determination to not let being beaten in a jump-off happen again.”

Cian McMunn wins individual gold at the pony European showjumping championships riding Esperando SK for Ireland. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Hickstead-based Darcy, daughter of Shane and Chloe Breen, is proving a real rising star of the sport at just 16 and she has forged a superb partnership with the 10-year-old British-bred mare One Saharah over the past two years. She admitted to feeling the nerves towards the culmination of these high-pressure championships.

“Cian was so quick in the jump-off, but I was so happy to be on the podium – relieved too!” said Darcy, whose endeavours in France were being relayed in the extended family WhatsApp group. “Before I jumped, I was really nervous but when we started jumping, One Saharah was so good, she wasn’t fazed at all – she is lovely in the stable then she helps you out so much in the ring, too.

“The team competition was also amazing. I was with Nellie when Sophia jumped clear and we realised we’d won gold. It was really nice to be on top of the podium with my team-mates because we’re all such good friends. It couldn’t have gone better.”

Read the full report from the pony European championships in Le Mans in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 7 August.

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‘A fantastic championship’: British pony riders claim gold, individual glory for Ireland

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:43:21 +0000

Great Britain’s pony showjumpers proved themselves absolute superstars by winning team gold at the FEI Pony European Championships in Belgium on Friday (26 July).

The quartet of pathfinder Katie Bradburne (Westpoint Foreign Affair), Hollie Gerken on Galaxy V, Sophia Rogers (Neil 55) and Cate Kerr riding Cindy were crowned champions at Sentower Park on a team score of eight, a fence ahead of Germany in silver with Ireland claiming bronze.

“The night before, I told them they were all capable of jumping clear, the course would be harder and others above them might have faults – and we kept jumping clear and put the pressure on,” said Great Britain’s chef d’equipe Clare Whitaker. “They all played their part and we had great team spirit.”

2024 Pony European showjumping championships: gold for Ireland’s Jack Kent

Sixteen-year-old Katie Bradburne and the eight-year-old British-bred Westpoint Foreign Affair jumped three faultless rounds during the 2024 Pony European team championship while her team-mates more than held their own, accumulating no more than four faults across the testing tracks under enormous pressure.

In Sunday’s individual championship, Katie sadly dropped out of medal contention but Ireland’s team bronze medal-winning rider Jack Kent had an unforgettable day when riding Double Pleasure to win gold after a nail-biting jump-off.

“It has been an unbelievable story for Jack and Double Pleasure,” said Ireland’s team manager, Gary Marshall. “The pony is a bit special. Jack only got the ride half-way through the year. In the later rounds, he started to trust the pony and the pony started to trust him. It’s always a two-way relationship and they really clicked, getting better and better.

“This has been a fantastic championship.”

Read the full report from the FEI Pony European Championships in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 8 August.

European eventing champion wins over hurdles on his half-term break: ‘An amazing experience’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:57:54 +0000

A slice of racing history was made at Clonmel Racecourse in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, on Thursday (26 October) when teenage jockey Josh Williamson rode his first winner over hurdles.

The landmark success came 36 years after the schoolboy’s father, the legendary Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Norman Williamson, rode his first winner at the same track and, even more coincidentally, both debut victories came on grey horses.

Seventeen-year-old Josh’s win came with a brilliant ride on the Edward O’Grady-trained home-bred Housemartin in the Kilclooney Woods (QR) handicap hurdle in heavy going over two miles and half a furlong.

“It was my first time sitting on him – I’ve only been into Edward’s a handful of times, so it was very good of him to let me ride him,” said Josh, who crossed the line more than four lengths in front on the six-year-old, who was sent off at odds of 15/2.

“It was an amazing experience. I was about a length in front as we jumped the last and when we landed and he picked up again, that’s when I started to relax a bit and I was delighted to win.”

A rapturous return for the schoolboy jockey

In 1987, the first of Norman Williamson’s 1,268 winners came at Clonmel on Jack ‘N’ Jill and trainer Edward O’Grady was instrumental throughout Williamson senior’s riding career, the duo combining to win the supreme novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2003.

Norman was among a strong contingent at Clonmel last week to give Josh and Housemartin a rapturous welcome to the winner’s enclosure.

“There were a lot of people there – including my Granny Trish,” said Josh. “She flew over and thought she was going to miss the race but she got in just in time!”

After the jubilations at Clonmel, Josh went on to ride in two more races at Sligo the following day, finishing second on the Gordon Elliott-trained Bleu De Vassy, then he was back in action again at Galway on Sunday (29 October) – a far cry from the average schoolboy’s half-term break.

Josh has two more years at school but he rides out for Gordon Elliott on weekends and at every other opportunity and he credits his school for allowing him time away from the classroom when required: “They have been very good to me – there’s an understanding that this is my passion,” he told H&H.

From European eventing champion to hurdling success

Josh was part of the gold medal-winning Irish pony team at the European championships in 2022 but says, “Ever since I started riding ponies, I couldn’t wait to turn 16 to get my licence.

“Even while I was eventing, I was waiting to be able to ride in racing.

“I’d like to go to college and juggle it with race-riding at the same time and see how that works out – it’s worked out for my first cousin Harry Swan, so it would be great to do the same.”

Many people have observed the similarity between Josh’s riding style and that of his father Norman, who achieved the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double on Alderbrook and Master Oats in 1995.

“My dad is a great help and after every ride he’ll go through the race with me – even if he couldn’t watch it, he’ll talk me through it and tell me what I did wrong, tell me what I did right,” Josh said. “I think it must be genes or something, though.”

The future looks very bright for this young talent.

Brilliant British take bronze in thriller pony Europeans jump-off

Sarah Radford — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:39:43 +0000

Britain’s pony team completed the set when they brought home team bronze from the pony European Showjumping Championships, adding to the three team bronze medals already secured by the children on horses, junior and young rider squads a fortnight earlier.

Ireland maintained an exemplary zero score throughout to take gold, while Sweden earned themselves silver on 12 penalties.

Despite the emphatic victory, the team competition was still forced to the wire when Britain had to jump off against France for a spot on the podium, after both teams tied on 16 penalties.

Britain had taken through just four faults from the opening competition, but in the next round only team anchor Izabella Rogers and Neil 55 had delivered a clear. First out Harriet Hodge, making her team debut this year, had one down and four time-faults on Little Charlie, while Madison Seedhouse jumped for four on Vaughann De Vuzit. Tilly Bamford, who had posted clear in the first round on Lapis Lazuli, now at his fourth pony Europeans, came back with 12.

In a resurgent performance all four members of the team were then faultless, leaving them on 16 penalties and putting them back in the medal hunt.

“We were lucky in a sense as you carry on with your original drawn order, so we followed France in the jump-off,” team manager Clare Whitaker said. “I told each of the team not to go into the ring until they knew exactly what they had to do.”

Harriet had just the one rail, before Madison jumped a great clear. Two out of three French riders had come home with four faults, putting pressure on Tilly to leave the fences standing. She delivered a fantastic clear with the 13-year-old dun gelding to clinch bronze, and allow Izabella to save Neil for the individual final, where she finished fifth. Harriet and Little Charlie tipped one rail in the individual final to finish 10th.

“It wasn’t as big as Poland last year, around 1.25m to 1.30m, where as Poland was 1.35m and 1.40m in the individual final,” said Izabella, who only had two poles throughout the whole team and individual competition.

“Going into the individual final I knew I already had a team medal in the bag and I was grateful to the team that I didn’t have to jump off. I had been slightly nervous the first day and we were sat in 24th, so to work our way up to be in contention for a medal was something special.”

It was a strong weekend for the Whitakers, as Clare brought home her fourth youth team bronze of the year the same weekend as husband John and son Robert were victorious at Hickstead in the FEI Nations Cup and the King George V.

“We drove home in the car with the vet and Jason and Katrina Moore. We were watching the jump-off in the car then Robert rang and everyone was cheering,” Clare said.

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‘It feels good to support the sport’: Britain’s sole championship riders for 2020 named

Polly Bryan — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 15:04:36 +0000

Five riders will represent Britain at the youth European dressage championships this month, the only Brits to compete at a championship this year.

The Europeans for ponies, children-on-horses, juniors, young riders and under-25s will all take place at Pilisjaszfalu near Budapest in Hungary, from 11-27 August.

The venue was originally set to host the children and under-25 championships, but after the cancellation of the junior and young rider championships at Hartpury in Britain, and the pony championship at Strzegom, Poland, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Hungarian organisers and national federation offered to host the additional categories.

While British Dressage opted not to send any teams to this year’s combined championships, riders were given the opportunity to put themselves forward to compete as individuals on a self-funded basis.

In the under-25 section, Britain will be represented by Lewis Carrier riding his own 12-year-old Spielberg gelding Diego V, and Ellie McCarthy with Bridget McCarthy’s 15-year-old Lordanos stallion Sir Lancelot M.

Competing in young riders will be Emily Bradshaw on Susan Bradshaw’s 11-year-old Apache gelding Enjoy Amaris V and Alicia Lee riding her own 11-year-old Benetton Dream mare Bonita 466, while Annabella Pidgeley will contest the pony championship on Sarah Pidgeley’s 12-year-old FS Chambertin gelding Cognac IX.

There are no Brits travelling to compete in the children-on-horses or junior sections.

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“When the opportunity came up to go to Hungary, I really wanted to take it and support the venue who are making such a huge effort, especially as we haven’t been able to do much other competing this year,” 23-year-old Lewis told H&H.

“I’ve kept up the training throughout lockdown; I made the most of the opportunity not to work flat out and instead focused on more training at home. We’ve kept Diego ticking over, and it’s been a good time to reflect on our training and try some new things. When we made the decision to campaign to go to Hungary we just stepped up that training, and recently we have been able to get out to some shows to do a couple of grands prix, which went really well.”

The championships will be run in accordance with the FEI Policy for Enhanced Competition Safety during the Covid-19 Pandemic, with measures in place including social distancing and temperature screening.

“Covid is definitely on my mind, and we will all have to be sensible, plan ahead and take plenty of precautions, but I’m not worried,” added Lewis, who will leave on the three-day journey to Hungary this Wednesday (12 August). “It feels really good to support the sport, and not to write off the whole year.”

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Youth Europeans in Olympic disciplines cancelled – new pony event planned for autumn

Lucy Elder — Wed, 13 May 2020 17:12:25 +0000

All FEI young rider, junior and pony European Championships in the Olympic disciplines have been cancelled for 2020 — but a new replacement youth event is to be held this autumn.

Vilamoura Equestrian Centre in Portugal, host of the young rider, junior and children on horses showjumping championships, announced the cancellation today (13 May) as did organisers of the 2020 FEI European Championships for ponies.

This year’s pony dressage, showjumping and eventing championships were set to be held in Strzegom, Poland, from 15 to 19 July but the plug has been pulled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The decision has been taken in consultation with the FEI and with the health of all athletes and everyone involved in mind, and of course fair play rules,” said a statement from the organisers.

“We tried our best to find a new date, but it proved to be extremely difficult to plan a big sports show during the school summer holidays this year.

“We realise that for many athletes the Europeans were their last chance to compete in this age category, so instead of FEI European Championships for ponies, we plan to organise a new event called the European Pony Masters in September or October.”

This will include team and individual competitions in showjumping, eventing and dressage.

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FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez said: “After all the hard work they have put in, it is desperately disappointing for Marcin Konarski and his wonderful team at Strzegom to have to cancel the FEI European Championships for ponies, and also of course for all the young athletes who were planning their season around heading to Poland this summer.

“But it is wonderful that Strzegom has come up with a creative solution, with the new European Pony Masters offering an alternative outing later in the year.”

Ms Ibáñez added it is “so sad” the showjumping championships is “yet another sporting event to fall victim to the pandemic”.

“Especially knowing how much time and effort has already gone into the preparations,” she said. “But it is great that the organisers and the Portuguese national federation have already been so proactive and have come up with a proposal to potentially reschedule the championships in 2021; we will discuss that with the FEI board next month.”

The cancellations follow Hartpury’s abandonment of the 2020 dressage and eventing FEI European Championships for juniors and young riders.

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Pony Euros rider jumps clear cross-country with one stirrup after tack malfunction

Lucy Elder — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 12:58:15 +0000

A young eventer gave a remarkable display of cross-country riding after her stirrup leather snapped on her championship debut.

Belgium’s Louise Van Dijck was lying in 10th place after dressage with Gasmann B VH Juxscot at the FEI European Championships for ponies, held at Bishop Burton (7 to 11 August).

The pair started well, but disaster struck at fence three when the 15-year-old’s left stirrup leather broke.

In a ride reminiscent of Mark Todd’s incredible one-stirrup Badminton round aboard Bertie Blunt in 1995, Louise carried on to jump clear around the championship track.

The rider showed her skill and core strength, keeping balanced through the Jonathan Clissold-designed course.

She was welcomed home by a cheering support team as she crossed the finish line, who then helped her dismount while she caught her breath.

“I have no idea [how I did it],” Louise told Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes in her livestreamed post-round interview.

“I lost my stirrup at fence three and I just sat in my saddle and kept going for the team.

“I was scared because the water was coming up and that was a difficult combination.

“He is a good pony and always jumps, he never stops if it isn’t necessary — I did it for the team, we have the best team.”

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British eventers on top at Pony European Championships

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The pair added 50 time penalties to their dressage score of 31 — finding a new stirrup and leather for the showjumping the following day — and helped the Belgian team to sixth place.

Team gold was won by the Brits, with team members Saffie Osborne and Little Indian Feather taking the individual title.

For a full report from the championships, don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound — out Thursday, 16 August

British eventers on top at Pony European Championships

Horse & Hound — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 16:46:54 +0000

By Helen Scott

Great Britain triumphed in a thrilling finale to the eventing competition at the FEI Pony European Championships at Bishop Burton College, winning team gold, individual gold and individual bronze.

Saffy Osborne and Lord and Lady Blythe’s Little Indian Feather took gold, Daisy Procter and her own Holiday Chase bronze with team members Hattie Grace riding Vin Jones and Simon Grace’s Noble Superman and Ellie Healy on Midnight Dancer finishing in 15^th and 27^th.

Connie Gill and Movie Star II and Georgia King with Drop The Subject, riding as individuals finished eighth and 21^st, with Connie completing on her dressage score.

Team Ireland took the silver and France the bronze.

Team GB were lying second to Germany going into cross-country after producing a set of solid dressage performances.

Ellie Healy was the pathfinder and picked up an unfortunate 20 penalties at fence 12b having slipped on the turn while trying to save valuable seconds, but brought home essential info to her team members – that the time was gettable without risking the direct route at the penultimate fence, the offset truck brushes. Team instructions were to go long.

Noble Superman added just four-time penalties and Holiday Chase 0.8pen, while Little Indian Feather came home 17 seconds inside the time after a barnstorming round.

After the cross-country, the Irish team moved up from fourth to second with three clears within the time, and France remained in bronze.

Adrian Ditcham’s track was a true championship course, but had plenty of alternatives for the more tricky combinations. Only two ponies took all the direct routes, including Sophie Foyle on Carol Gee’s Little Miss Fernhill, who were riding for Ireland as individuals and pulled up from 14^th to silver as a result of her double clear.

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Going into showjumping only a fence separated the top three teams, with GB having just 2.5 penalties in hand over Ireland, who were one penalty in front of France.

It required a cool head with the leaderboard chopping and changing all the way to the last handful of riders. Hattie Grace had an unlucky rail in the first part of the treble, but Daisy and Saffy produced immaculate clears.

Saffron Osborne (GBR) Wins Gold in Eventing at the European Championships for Ponies 2018Saffron Osborne (GBR) completes her showjumping round and wins the eventing gold at the European Championships for Ponies 2018.FInd out more about the championships, held at Bishop Burton College, at www.bishopburtonponyeuros2018.co.ukPosted by Bishop Burton Equine Centre on Sunday, August 12, 2018

Saffy, who had remained composed throughout, was sobbing as she left the ring having clinched gold for the team.

“You dream of riding last because you are in the lead, but in fact it’s horrible,” she joked. “But I knew my horse was a good jumper, so I was able to keep the nerves under control.”

Full report from the Pony Europeans in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 16 August

Golden glory for Great Britain’s pony showjumpers at European Championships

Horse & Hound — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 13:44:21 +0000

By Helen Scott

Great Britain won team gold and individual bronze on home soil at the FEI Pony Europeans at Bishop Burton College.

The team finished on a total of eight faults, ahead of Sweden in silver on 17 and France in bronze on 20 and had the gold in the bag before the final rider went.

France and Ireland jumped off for bronze, and it wasn’t decided until the final rider for France stole vital seconds to produce the fastest round of the day.

Britain’s Shaunie Greig and Casino Royale, Claudia Moore and Elando van de Roshoeve, Perdita Digby and Kayleighs Star and Nicole Lockhead Anderson with Gangnam Style II were on fire, producing three of only seven clears in the first round, leaving them in pole position.

Two more clears in the second round from Shaunie and Nicole clinched it.

They came into the team competition in equal fourth with Germany behind the Netherlands in third on two penalties with France and Ireland joint first with zero penalties. In a change of rules, chef d’equipes were allowed to pick their team at this stage, with Clare Whitaker choosing Hannah Barker to ride Ammanvalley Santino as an individual.

“It was a good course, quite technical with riders having to be careful about their lines,” said Clare “They all rode well, and winning is even sweeter on home soil.”

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The legendary former showjumper owns a horse competed by his grandson

On the final day Claudia Moore took individual bronze after besting a nail biting jump-off with Romaine Orhant from France, while Max Wachman, the anchor of the Irish team on Cuffesgrange Cavalidam, claimed the silver. Individual gold went to Swedish rider Ingmar Hammarstrom on Ocean des As.

Shaunie Greig and Hannah Barker tied in sixth. Nicole Lockhead Anderson, who went into day three in pole position, finished 11^th after clocking up 20 penalties in her final round. Perdi Digby was 15^th.

Full report from the Pony Europeans in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 16 August

Young German dressage stars on top form at Pony Europeans

Horse & Hound — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 13:29:15 +0000

By Helen Scott

The Germans proved unbeatable in the FEI Pony European dressage championships at Bishop Burton College taking team gold, two individual golds and two individual bronze medals, with 15-year-old Moritz Treffinger and Top Queen H at the head of affairs in each class.

Denmark took team silver with Netherlands fraction of penalties behind in bronze.

Team GB were just out of the medals in fourth position, with Sophie Taylor and George Clooney BS in 12^th, Anabella Pidgley on Ine in joint 13^th, Isobel Lickley on Valido’s Sunshine 17^th and Megan Barratt on Valido’s Starlight in 21^st.

“Coming fourth, just out of the medals is perhaps the hardest,” said Team GB chef d’equipe Caroline Bell. “The riders all showed great maturity and sportsmanship.”

In the individual test it was Top Queen again in gold. German team member Jana Lang on NK Cyrill (pictured) was presented with the silver and Danish rider Alexander Yde Helgstrand on Adriano B in bronze. But a scoring mistake between the sheets and computer system, caused when one of the judges had to leave suddenly because of a family bereavement, was later discovered and the medals were reallocated, with the Danish rider 0.5 of a mark ahead.

Sophie Taylor was the only British rider in the group finishing 20^th and making the cut for the freestyle. She pulled her personal best score out of the bag in the class, performing to music from Dr Who and scoring 72.05%.

The Germans arrived with a mature team, all in their last year at the level and an experienced set of ponies. Their team medal made it the 32^nd gold won with team coach Conny Endres at the helm.

“They’ve been on brilliant form,” she said. “Next year we’ll have to start all over again with a new team.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Meet the ‘chatty’ world champion stallion whose canter will make you gasp

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

British international rider gets yellow card after being ‘caught out’ by noseband rules

A British international rider has backed clearer noseband rules

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British dressage shortlist named for World Equestrian Games

Eight combinations have been named on the shortlist ahead of the Games in Tryon

Moritz and his 10-year-old mare (Top Anthony II x Dark Rubin), performed nearly fault-free, elastic forward tests.

“She’s a real princess and when we made tiny mistakes like coming short in the neck, or one upwards transition which wasn’t quite sharp enough, we were able to put it behind us,” said Moritz.

“I think her medium trots were the highlights and we scored nines for them.”

Moritz rounded off his competition in the freestyle dancing to songs from David Guetta to win gold from Alexander Yde Helgstrand for Denmark in silver and Julia Barbian on Der Kleine Koenig 3 for Germany.

Full report from the Pony Europeans in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 16 August

Gold for Whitaker at pony Europeans

Horse & Hound — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:05:41 +0000

Fourteen-year-old Jack Whitaker finished off a fantastic week for British showjumping yesterday (21 August), when he added the individual gold medal at the pony European championships in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark, to that won by Nick Skelton in Rio de Janeiro.

Jack, whose father Michael Whitaker was part of Britain’s Olympic team and travelled to Denmark in time to watch his son’s triumph, was riding 12-year-old Belgian-bred Elando Van De Roshoeve.

He added his individual victory to the team bronze he won two days earlier with team-mates Allana Clutterbuck (Sultan Du Bary), Hallie Lunn (Javas Alun) and Robert Murphy (Rainbows Mocha).

British showjumping performance manager Di Lampard said: “What a week it’s been! From one end of the scale to the other — Nick Skelton winning Olympic gold to Jack Whitaker winning pony gold. The future’s looking great.”

Jack’s clear round in the second round of the individual final was enough to give him the gold medal by just one fault from The Netherlands’ Rowen van de Mheen (Quaprice D’Astree), with German rider Antonia Ercken two faults behind to take the bronze on Crazy Hardbreaker.

“My pony had been going well, but he just felt different this week. It was as though he knew how important it was,” said Jack.

“I couldn’t watch the last one to go and I didn’t know I had won until Dad burst out crying!”

Eventing silver

The pony event team climbed from bronze medal position after cross-country to take silver yesterday (21 August).

The British team of Saffron Cresswell (Cuffesgrange Little Ric), Anya Kolleth (Drop the Subject), Eloise Carter (Alfie XI) and Molly Faulkner (Sycamore Lad) finished on a total of 153.7 penalties, with Germany on 135.6 and France taking bronze with 161.9.

Chairman of eventing pony squad selectors Gary Parsonage said: “It was a fabulous week of competition resulting in a very well deserved team silver.

“It was a really harmonious and tightly bonded team effort throughout, which gave every rider the opportunity to achieve personal bests every day.

“The showjumping was very tense and exciting with the British girls holding their nerve to climb from bronze overnight to a final silver medal. Having the very last fence down, Saffron Cresswell was very unlucky not to finish in bronze medal position after having the very last fence down, as she had been in third place individually after the dressage and cross-country phases.”

Saffron finished fifth individually, with Anya eighth, Eloise 14th and Molly 28th.

Individual rider Connie Warde-Aldam (Craig Mor Tom) finished in 10th place.

The dressage team finished just off the podium in fourth place, behind winners Germany, with Denmark in silver and the Netherlands in bronze.

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Lara Kuropatwa (Le Chiffre) was the highest-placed British rider on 70.744%, with Sophie Taylor (Madam’s Miss Maria) in 14th on 68.795%, Isobel Lickley (Gigolo) 25th on 67.256% and Maddy Whelan (Ode to Shannon) 28th on 66.923%.

Maddy and Ode to Shannon scored 71.854% for 9th place in the individual test, which was won by German Lucie-Anouk Baumgürtel (Massmiliano), who also took gold in the kur.

For the full report on the pony European championships, see the 1 September issue of H&H.

Gold medal-winning dressage pony dies due to colic

Lucy Elder — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:09:00 +0000

A gold medal-winning German dressage pony has died at the age of 16 following a bout of colic.

Deinhard B won multiple golds at pony European level and started his dressage career in 2005 with Anna von Negri.

His owners, the Rothenberger family, said the pony had seemed unwell on 13 October.

The vet was called and the pony was treated and closely monitored for the following two weeks.

On 24 October, the family said that “Deini” had colicked severely overnight, leading to the decision to operate.

The following day, they added he was awake, had an appetite and was “doing well under the circumstances”.

They also thanked people for their support.

However, on 28 October Semmieke Rothenberger revealed that “Deini” had died.

In her tribute to him she wrote that he will “always remain in our hearts”.

“You were not just one pony, but a family member,” she said.

“I hope you now gallop in the sky and enjoy it. I know that you will always look down and support me in everything I do.

“You’re my little personal guardian angel who is always watching from above. I love you infinitely.”

The pony, by Dornick B, won his first medals at Freudenberg, Germany, in 2007, where he picked up team gold and individual bronze.

Deinhard B went on to win team and individual gold at the 2008 Pony Europeans as well as gold and silver medals at the 2009 championships.

Lena Charlotte Walterscheidt took over the ride in 2010 and went on to win silver and bronze medals with the palomino stallion at European level.

The following year he went to Semmieke, who has also enjoyed numerous successes and medals with him at European and international level.

These included triple gold at the 2014 Pony European Championships at Millstreet, Ireland.

Deinhard B has been in the top three at every international competition he has competed at over the past five years and this year he took titles in Nice, Hagen, Vidauban and at Addington.

8 riders that are so young and successful we can’t help being jealous

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 16:25:54 +0000

They’re not just good for their age group, they’re brilliant across the board. And although we’re really happy for them, it does make us feel pretty inadequate. All we had done by the time we turned 19 was pass a few exams and won the bending race 12 years ago on the last day of Pony Club camp. Here’s why you should be keeping an eye on these guys as they head to the horsey stratosphere…

Eventing

Alex Kennedy

Alex Kennedy riding CHOCOLATE DOMINO in I Section H at Belton International in Lincolnshire UK on 6 April 2014 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Age: 18

Alex was a member of the bronze medal-winning team at this year’s junior European championships with her faithful partner Chocolate Domino. She also managed individual seventh place at these championships. Alex, based with top up-and-coming event rider Millie Dumas and her family, has an almost faultless cross-country record over the past two years and she was recently described by the chairman of the British junior selectors Darrell Scaife as “outstanding in every phase.”

Sam Ecroyd

Sam Ecroyd riding PEBBLY FLUX, in the CCIJ* at the Houghton International on 25 May 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Age: 18

Aged just 13 Sam won a team gold medal at the 2010 pony European eventing championships. He has since gone on to win two team bronze medals and individual silver at both pony and junior European championships. Sam doesn’t have a weak phase and has already completed two advanced classes. He has an eviable string of horses and the future looks bright for him.

Sophie Beaty

Sophie Beaty riding STANLY, in the CCIJ* at the Houghton International on 25 May 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Age: 19

Sophie has been a stalwart for the British youth teams since 2010 where she was a team gold medalist and individual fourth at the pony European Championships. In 2011 she won a team silver medal at the pony Europeans, while in 2013 she was a member of the junior quad before upgrading to young riders, where she was a squad member in 2014 and an individual silver medalist in 2015. She has already jumped around three CIC3*’s and was 11th in the CCI3* under-25 class at Bramham this year. Look out for her at a four-star in 2016.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

16 things we miss about being young

If for you the days of Pony Club, picnic rides and galloping ponies bareback across stubble fields are but a

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

9 things we got up to at Pony Club camp that we’re sure wouldn’t happen now

Dressage

Holly Kerslake

Holly Kerslake - Doctor Little (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow - 00447917336694)

Age: 11

Yes, this girl is just 11-years-old and she is already tipped for the top. Trained by none other than Charlotte Dujardin, Holly is already winning at British Dressage medium level with her ponies and recently competed in her first international pony competition at Hickstead.

Rose Hugh-Smith

Rose Hugh-Smith - Holsteins Derwisch (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow - 00447917336694)

Age: 16

A former team bronze medal winner at the pony European championships, Rose who trains with Gareth Hughes, was second reserve for this year’s junior European Championships. Already winning at advanced medium level BD, we are certain that Rose will be one to look for on the youth teams in years to come.

Showjumping

Jessica Mendoza

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Age: 19

Jessica needs little introduction, bursting onto the senior stage this year as a member of the British European showjumping championship squad. She won gold medals at pony and junior European level and has since gone on to win at huge shows across the globe including the Gucci Masters in Paris (December 2014). She has multiple HOYS, Hickstead and Olympia wins to her name and is surely set to remain at the top of her game for many years to come.

Harry Charles

Harry Charles riding PHOENIX VI for John Renwick & Peter Charles in the PonyNew Class No. 2 at the Horse of the Year Show at the N. E. C. Birmingham, UK between 8th -12th October 2014 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Age: 16

Son of Team GB showjumping Olympic gold medalist Peter Charles, Harry was bred for his job. He won individual silver and team bronze at this year’s junior European showjumping championships. He is regularly jumping in two-star competitions and he won the leading pony showjumper of the year title at HOYS in 2014. Peter needs to watch his back!

Jodie Hall McAteer

Tixylix Jodie Hall McAteer (Image credit: Joanna Prestwich)

Age: 15

Jodie, who is in the enviable position of having the ride on Jessica Mendoza’s former pony multi-European medalist Tixylix, won team gold and individual silver at the 2015 pony European championships. She has also enjoyed success with horses, placing in a couple of two-star classes at the London Global Champions Tour earlier this year.

Record breaking week for Phoebe Peters at pony Europeans

Lucy Elder — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:55:13 +0000

British dressage rider Phoebe Peters told H&H she has had “the most amazing week” after breaking two world records at the FEI European Championships for Ponies.

Held in Malmö, Sweden, from 5-9 August, Great Britain won team gold in the dressage, showjumping and eventing competitions.

Going into the championships, Phoebe and her ride, SL Lucci, already held the world record for the FEI pony team test and the pony freestyle test.

They had set the record for the team test at 80.12% at Compiègne CDI in France in 2014, and scored 84% in the pony freestyle test at the 2013 pony European championships in Arezzo.

The 13-year-old gelding, by Lukas, is owned by Phoebe’s mother Tracy.

“Training wise, Lucci felt really super going into the championships. We got the timings really right this year,” said Phoebe.

“You can always tell with Lucci how he is going to be from the first day.”

In Thursday’s (6 August) team test, the combination scored 80.077% to put them in first place and help Team GBR secure the gold medal.

“Going into it, we all thought we had the ability to win gold,” added the 16-year-old.

“I just took the attitude that me and Lucci wanted to focus on the test.

“He warmed up like an absolute dream – he was just fantastic.”

On Saturday (8 August), Phoebe and Lucci added another world record to their collection to win gold in the individual test with 81.39%.

“He was obviously a little bit more tired because he had put so much effort in for the team test,” she said.

“I enjoyed every minute of it.”

She said she has never scored 80% in the individual test before and her aim was to score above that in all three tests at a competition.

The pair, who are now in their fourth season together, continued their winning streak in Sunday’s (10 August) freestyle and broke the world record they had previously set at the 2013 pony Europeans.

Their score of 85.825% put them more than five percent ahead of Germany’s Nadine Krause and Cyrill WE, who took the silver medal.

The combination also collected their third gold medal and second world record of the championships.

“It was the last time I get to ride the freestyle on Lucci and it is my favourite test,” she said.

“I just wanted to have fun.”

Phoebe added she did not expect to break her freestyle record but Lucci was with her “every step of the way”.

GCSE results are next on the cards for Phoebe and she is also working towards the LeMieux National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh (17-20 September).

Lucci is qualified for the medium open and she will be riding Denford Surprise in the advanced medium open.

The gold medal-winning dressage team won on a total score of 222.87% – less than one percent ahead of second placed Germany with Denmark in third.

The team consisted of Phoebe, Rebecca Bell on Valido’s Sunshine, Clare Hole on Rembrandt and Isobel Berrington on DHI Langar.

“It has been the best championships,” she said.

“We have all got on so well and the support within the team has been amazing.”

World, European and Olympic number one Charlotte Dujardin sent her congratulations to the team.

“Amazing news from Malmo. Well done to the British pony team!!” she tweeted on Thursday (6 August).

Charlotte and Valegro will be defending their European title at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen this week (12-16 August).

Triple gold for Great Britain’s pony teams

Lucy Elder — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:42:46 +0000

Great Britain’s teams have won gold in all three disciplines at the FEI European Championships for Ponies in Malmö, Sweden (5-9 August).

The dressage team made history on Thursday (6 August) by taking team gold for the first time at this level.

Team member Phoebe Peters and SL Lucci added another world record to their collection with 81.39% to win the individual test on Saturday (8 August).

The pair also broke their own world record in the freestyle test yesterday (9 August) with a winning score of 85.825%.

They already hold the world record in the pony FEI team test.

The team was made up of Phoebe, Rebecca Bell on Valido’s Sunshine, Clare Hole on Rembrandt and Isobel Berrington on DHI Langar.

Their total score of 222.87% put them a less than one percent ahead of second placed Germany.

Denmark took team bronze.

Britain’s showjumpers swiftly followed the dressage team’s success to collect another team gold on Friday (7 August) morning with just one fault.

Ireland took silver with three faults and France came third with five faults.

Jodie Hall Mcateer on Tixylix, Jack Whitaker on Zodianne van de Doevenbree, Jessica Hewitt on Ammanvalley Santino and Charlotte Ash on Aughnashammer made up the gold medal-winning team.

Jodie, 15, and Sarah Mendoza’s Tixylix also claimed individual silver.

“Jodie has ridden with determination and a calm head all week,” said chef d’equipe Matthew Lanni.

“She has jumped six rounds throughout the championships and to only have one fence down across them all is quite a feat.

“Her performance in the final jump-off, under tremendous pressure, only serves to show the talent that she is and the great partnership she has built with Tixylix.”

Tixylix was previously partnered by Jessica Mendoza, who has been a frequent member of British senior Nations Cup teams this year.

These medals take Tixylix’s pony European Championships medal total to seven.

Meanwhile, Team GBR’s eventers (pictured top) moved up from team silver following the cross-country to make it a clean sweep for the pony teams in all three disciplines.

All team members – Thomas Tulloch on Spirit VI, Saffron Cresswell on Cuffesgrange Little Ric, Phoebe Locke on Quay and Harriet Wright on Foxtown Cufflynx – showjumped clear to secure the gold on a score of 138.7pen.

Thomas, Saffron and Phoebe also took individual fourth, fifth and ninth places respectively.

Gary Parsonage, chef d’equipe and chairman of the Charles Owen pony selectors, said he “couldn’t have asked for more”.

“The tables really turned for us when a good French score was disqualified during the horse inspection meaning a less strong score had to be taken, but our guys still had to hold their nerve,” he said.

“Thomas was so close to [individual] bronze but he couldn’t have done any more for us.”

For full report don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H out Thursday (13 August).

Britain’s pony riders make history at Europeans

Lucy Elder — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 13:14:06 +0000

Britain’s pony dressage squad made history yesterday (6 August) by winning team gold at the dressage Europeans in Malmö, Sweden (5-9 August).

This is the first time that Team GBR has won gold at this competition.

The team included Phoebe Peters on SL Lucci, Rebecca Bell on Valido’s Sunshine, Clare Hole on Rembrandt and Isobel Berrington on DHI Langar.

Their total score of 222.87% them, less than one percent ahead of second placed Germany.

Denmark took team bronze.

Phoebe, 16, and 14.1hh Lucci, by Lukas, also won the team test on a score of 80.07%.

“[Lucci] was a complete star, I owe everything to him,” Phoebe posted on her Facebook page ahead of the prize giving.

“Well done and thank you to my teammates Isy, Rebecca and Clare for being amazing!

“Also to Liz Mills, Peter Storr, Jenny and Claire our grooms and to everyone here and back home supporting us.

“This really is a dream come true.”

Phoebe and Lucci hold the international world records in the pony FEI team test, scoring 80.12% at Compiègne last year, and the pony freestyle test, 84% posted at the 2013 pony European championships in Arezzo.

The individual dressage competition – which all four team members will take part in – starts today.

Meanwhile, Britain’s pony showjumpers took team gold earlier today on a score of 236.47.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Jodie Hall Mcateer on Tixylix, Jack Whitaker on Zodianne van de Doevenbree, Jessica Hewitt on Ammanvalley Santino and Charlotte Ash on Aughnashammer made up the medal-winning team.

Ireland, who finished just three faults behind, took silver with France in bronze on five faults.

And the eventing competition (6-9 August) is currently underway.

Phoebe Locke and Quay were the highest-placed British combination at the end of the first day of dressage yesterday (6 August).

The pair were in fifth place overnight on a score of 44.3pen.

The other British combinations taking part in the eventing championship include Phoebe Nicholson on Llanstephan Brenin, Harriet Wright on Foxtown Cufflynx, Saffron Cresswell on Cuffesgrange Little Ric, Jessica Thomas on Another Island and Thomas Tulloch on Spirit VI.

Phoebe Peters picks up another championship title ahead of Euros

Lucy Elder — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:09:06 +0000

Record-breaking young dressage rider Phoebe Peters added another championship title to her collection at the Hickstead Premier League, dressage masters and para dressage championships last week (23-27 June) in West Sussex.

The 16-year-old, who is preparing for the dressage pony European Championships in Sweden (5-9 August), took the Hickstead masters under-21 Championship title with the 14.1hh SL Lucci, by Lukas.

The combination posted a score of 79.4% to win the pony team test — which was the final selection for the pony Europeans — by an impressive 7%.

Their score was also good enough for the pair to take top honours in the under-21 championship section.

Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Sunshine were second on 72.39% with Clare Hole and Rembrant DBH in third on with 70.73%.

Phoebe said: “I am feeling very excited about the Europeans in August.

“Our preparation is going really well, Lucci will do one more show before we leave for Malmö.

“He always enjoys a few days away competing; we’ve found its the best way of keeping both his brain active and also my test riding tuned in.”

Phoebe and Lucci hold the international world records in the pony FEI team test, scoring 80.12% at Compiègne last year, and the pony freestyle test with 84% – posted at the 2013 pony European championships in Arezzo.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

In the junior team test at Hickstead, the 16-year-old rode Debbie Brookes’ 17.2hh bay gelding Denford Surprise, known as Parker (above, credit: Camille Peters Photography).

Debbie and her partner Eddie Stibbe own Lavender Hill Stud, near Naunton, Glos, where Phoebe is based.

Although the 2013 pony European dressage champion has been schooling Parker for several months, this was only their second test together and they won on a score of 70.14%.

The score was also good enough for the new combination to take fifth in the under-21 championship.

Phoebe said she was “thrilled” to win on both SL Lucci and Denford Surprise.

“I was really pleased with how Lucci went in the test particularly his extensions in all paces,” she said.

“We haven’t scored under 78% in the any test we’ve ridden since April so naturally I couldn’t be happier with him.

“My relationship with Debbie Brookes’ Denford Suprise is still very young and although this was only our second ever test together he really felt like enjoyed the occasion and tried his best for me despite our differences in size.”

She added that riding the junior class was “great fun” and she is looking forward to their next show at the Premier League at Hartpury, which is running as part of the Festival of Dressage (8-12 July).

British Dressage pony team selectors have this afternoon (Monday 29 June) announced the 2015 British pony European dressage team.

Phoebe will be joined by Rebecca Bell, 15, and Valido’s Sunshine with Valido’s Starlight as a direct reserve, Isobel Berrington, 15, and DHI Langar, and Clare Hole, 13, with Rembrant DDH.

First reserve is Angus Corrie-Dean, 15, and Grayswood Orlando and second reservee is Ottilie Bardsley, 15, and Kingsley Ciske.

Medal haul for Team GBR at pony Europeans

Pippa Roome — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 15:30:31 +0000

Britain’s pony dressage riders and eventers brought home five medals between them from the European Championships (Millstreet, Ireland, 29 July-3 August).

In the dressage, Rebecca Bell, Alex Hellings, Bethany-Rose Horobin and Phoebe Peters took the team silver (pictured above). In addition, Alex collected the bronze in the individual test on Der Kleine Lord, with Phoebe and SL Lucci claiming individual silver in the kur.

The event riders (Isabelle Upton, Oliver Williams, Thomas Tulloch and Chelsea Pearce) also picked up team silver, with Isabelle and Alfie XI leading the way with individual silver.

Gary Parsonage, chair of the GB pony eventing selectors said: “They all performed out of their skins. There was a lot of pressure and I’m very proud of all six riders this week.”

In a turnaround from the norm, Britain’s pony showjumpers returned without a medal, their best result being fifth for Harry Charles on Aroldo. However, Ireland did take team silver, fielding Michael Pender, Susan Fitzpatrick, Sean Monaghan and Grace McHugh. Susan also rode Rock Dee Jay to an individual bronze.

Don’t miss our full report from the pony European championships in H&H magazine this week, out Thursday (7 August).

Ireland wins bid to host 2014 European Pony Championships

Horse & Hound — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 10:26:46 +0000

Ireland has won the bid to host next summer’s European Pony Championships (dressage, eventing and showjumping). The championships will be held at Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co Cork, more famous as a showjumping venue that has hosted nine World Cups qualifiers.

But the site has past form. It hosted the pony Europeans in 1989, as well as three other junior and young rider championships during the 1980s and 1990s. There are 1,200 stables on site, eight all-weather arenas, eight warm-ups and three indoor arenas, set in 370 acres.

But there will be big changes for those who remember the 1989 competition. 25 years on the cross-country track will cover a much larger area.

“We’ve purchased some land from the Drishane Castle estate and the track runs over undulating parkland,” said Millstreet director Thomas Duggan. “We are very excited to be bestowed the privilege of hosting the championships and we’re aiming to make it a terrific event.”

At the time Millstreet put in a bid, competing against Poland’s Dzonkow and Austria’s Wiener Neustadt, there was no cross-country course. However, they started building regardless of the outcome.

“Mike Etherington-Smith is our designer and the course is underway so it will be ready in good time,” said Mr Duggan.

Mark McGowan will be the course designer for the showjumping.

British pony team coach Alan Fazakerley will be returning to the venue at which he competed as a junior in 1980.

“I have fond memories from there as it was one of my first big shows,” he said. “I’m sure the facilities are excellent and they’ll put on a good championships.”

Medals galore for British pony teams

Sophia Heath — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:08:07 +0000

Medals for the British teams came thick and fast across all disciplines at the Pony European Championships in Arezzo, Italy at the weekend (26-28 July).

Yasmin Ingham 16, riding Craig Mor Tom, secured both individual and team gold in the eventing. The Charles Owen-sponsored team were in bronze position heading into the last phase, but a clear from final Brit Yasmin ensured both the individual and team honours.

“What a fantastic result for the British ponies,” said British Eventing’s Mike Etherington-Smith. “Huge congratulations are in order for the riders, trainers, owners, support staff, selectors sponsors and everyone involved with the ponies for their part in this wonderful achievement.”

Lying fourth after dressage and cross-country, the Irish team also managed to move up the order to take bronze.

In the dressage it was double gold for Britain’s Phoebe Peters on SL Lucci. She secured the individual test gold on Saturday (27 July) with a personal best score of 79%. She then went on to set a new pony freestyle record of 84% to win her second gold the following day (Sunday 28 July). These were the first individual pony dressage gold medals Britain has ever won.

The team also won bronze, finishing behind Germany and the Netherlands. This was the first medal for Britain’s youth dressage teams since 2007.

The Team Fairfax showjumping team narrowly missed out on gold finishing 4pen behind Germany. The team were in the lead after the morning, but a strong second round performance from Germany and an unfortunate toe in the water for 15-year-old Millie Allen and Song Girl, meant they had to settle for silver.

GB pony chef d’equipe, Katrina Moore said: “It’s always upsetting to be that close to a gold medal and to lose it from your grasp at the last minute, but it shouldn’t detract from the tremendous achievement we’ve had here today.”

The Irish team, who went into the final round in second place, finished in bronze position just one fence behind the British.

In the individual competition Ireland’s Susan Fitzpatrick took the individual gold leaving 5 riders to jump off for silver and bronze. Britain’s Millie Allen, on Song Girl, put in the fastest clear to take silver.

British pony European teams

Eventing: Yasmin Ingham, Rose Nesbitt, Libby Seed and Charlotte Bacon

Dressage: Rose Hugh-Smith, Phoebe Peters, Rebecca Bell and Erin Williams

Show Jumping: Amy Inglis, Emily Ward, Faye Adams and Millie Allen

Irish teams:

Eventing: Lucy Latta, Shannon Nelson, Donnacha O’Brian and Nessa Briody

Show Jumping: Susan Fitzpatric, Tim MacDonagh, Matt Garrigan and Killian Norris

Gold medals for Britain and Ireland at pony Europeans

Flora Watkins — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:49:00 +0000

Britain’s pony showjumpers continued their domination of the European Championships, taking team and individual gold – plus bronze – in Fontainebleau, France this weekend.

Fourteen-year-old Millie Allen, on her father’s nine-year-old bay mare, Song Girl took top spot on the podium.

The pair jumped double clears in the team competition and the first round of the grand prix, going into the decisive second round with a fence in hand.

Millie kept her cool after lowering a pole to jump round within the time to secure gold.

The Netherlands’ Lisa Nooren with Rock Dee Jay took silver, while 15-year-old Alex Chitty from Kent and his mother’s 10 year-old grey mare Amilie JR Z had to jump a third round to decide who would get bronze.

Alex – making his debut at Championship level – jumped the only clear to secure the medal.

Chef d’ ©quipe Katrina Moore described their performance as “superb”.

She said: “To secure two individual medal winners once again just shows what an incredible depth of talent we have within the sport.

“It is something we all, as a nation, should be incredibly proud of.”

There were celebrations in the Irish camp, too, as they took the pony eventing team title for the first time – along with individual gold and bronze.

The team established a narrow lead over the British on dressage day and never looked back. Pathfinder Cathal Daniels finished on his dressage mark of 45.2 with Master Murrose to take individual gold, while Ana O’Brien – daughter of Flat trainer Aidan – riding prolific winner Ice Cool Bailey, secured bronze.

Britain’s Louisa Nesbitt and Carrowmore Gemstone also finished on their dressage score to take silver, to add to Britain’s team silver ahead of The Netherlands in bronze.

In the dressage, Britain finished just outside the medals. Germany took team and freestyle gold and the Netherlands’ Sanne Vos the individual title.

Don’t miss H&H’s full report from the Pony Europeans in this week’s magazine, on sale Thursday 26 July

British teams win medals at Pony Europeans

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:08:22 +0000

British teams came away from the FEI European Pony Championships in Jaszkowo, Poland, last week (28-31 July) with a clutch of medals.

The showjumping team of Amy Inglis on Nils D’Hurl, Beth Vernon on Falaza, Graham Babes Dollar Girl and Jessica Mendoza on Tixylix took gold. And Beth and Falaza won individual gold and Jessica and Tixylix took bronze.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen (Acapella Z) took silver and Ireland took the team silver (Bertram Allen, Max O’Reilly Hyland on Rock Dee Jay, Michael Duffy on Kadia Mouche, Emma O’Dwyer on Jacknell Street).

Meanwhile the British eventing team of Sam Ecroyd on Three Wells Breeze, Sophie Beaty on Done And Dusted VI, Janou Bleekman on Cregaan Scenic and Grace Walker on Noble Springbok took team bronze.

Sam Ecroyd also won individual silver. But Grace’s mount Noble Springbok disappointingly failed the vet, while lying in individual bronze.

A British Eventing spokesman said: “We were completely baffled that Noble Springbok failed to pass the trot-up on Sunday (31 July). He had lost a shoe across country but was 100 per cent right.”

The GB dressage team of Maisie Scruton and Rembrandt, Erin Williams and Danny Boy, Aimee Witkin and Ferrari, Gabrielle Lucas and Top Star finished fourth.

They had originally finished in third place, before a scoring mix-up was identified and they were demoted.

For more news and a comment by Richard Davison see this Thursday’s (4 August) H&H.

For full report see 11 August issue.

Britain’s pony eventing squad for Europeans announced

Horse & Hound — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:37:23 +0000

British Eventing’s pony selection committee has announced the squad of six riders and three reserves for the 2011 Pony European Championships at Jazkowo, Poland (28-31 July).

Sophie Beaty (Dun And Dusted IV or The Little Big Man), Janou Bleekman (Cregann Scenic), Sam Ecroyd (Catherston Nutsafe or Three Wells Breeze), Pumba Goess-Saurau (Killacoran Blue), Madeleine Taylor (Bandalera) and Grace Walker (Noble Springbok) have been chosen to travel to Poland, with recent Charles Owen British Pony Champion Victoria Smith (Chit Chat III), Louisa Nesbitt (Carrowmore Gemstone) and Anna Wilks (Monbeg Hero) as non-travelling reserves.

The squad will now have a final run at Barbury Castle (8-10 July) in the open novice before heading to the championships.

Chairman of pony selectors Sarah Hancox said: “We have a great mix of children that have been before, plus new combinations. We are feeling very optimistic going to Poland.”

Britain wins gold at European pony eventing championships

Horse & Hound — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:52:19 +0000

Britain’s eventing team triumphed today at the Pony Europeans at Bishop Burtom, beating Germany into silver with a margin of over 43pen, with Belgium taking the bronze.

Grace Walker won individual silver with Noble Springbok, finishing two penalties behind gold medal winner Marissa Berg, 15, and Andy from Germany. Ireland’s Sarah O’Brien took bronze on Ice Cool Bailey.

The British team went into the show jumping with nine fences in hand, but only spent two of them. Sophie Beaty with Done and Dusted VI and Sam Ecroyd with Catherston Nutsafe jumped clear finishing in fourth and fifth respectively, with Alfie Bradstock and Montezuma II (7th) and Sophie both dropping a rail apiece.

Individual riders Sophie How and Hotshots and Harry Humfrey with Tantany Torch were 10th and 11th.

Retiring chef d’equip Ginnie Keen said she’d had her dream team of three girls and three boys. “They are rode superbly, supported each other and no one was a prima donna!”

In the dressage kur, Antoinette Te Riele and Golden Girl took gold for the Dutch, with Lena Walterscheidt and Deinhard B and Jessica Kreig with Danilo taking silver and bronze for Germany.

Read H&H’s full report on all the action from the Pony European Championships in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 5 August

British eventing ponies take the lead at Europeans

Horse & Hound — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:25:04 +0000

The British pony eventing team is in pole position at the Bishop Burton Pony Europeans after the cross-country on 150.1pen, 36 ahead of Germany, who were in the lead at the beginning of the day. The Belgians lie third on 188.5.

All the British riders went clear, and five are in the top eight. In the lead individually is Marissa Braig with Andy on 44.5 for Germany, with Britain’s Grace Webster and Noble Springbok on 46.9 in second, and Sarah O’Brien and Ice Cool Bailey for Ireland in third on 51.00.

Done and Dusted VI and Sophie Beaty lie 4th, Alfie Bradstock on Montezuma II is 5th, Sam Ecroyd on Catherstone Nutsafe is 7th, Sophie How on Hotshots is 8th and Harry Humfrey on Tantany Torch is 12th.

Follow the action from Bishop Burton on Horseandhound.co.uk and read H&H’s full report on all the action in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 5 August

Germany invincible at Pony European Championships

Horse & Hound — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:06:09 +0000

The Germans were invincible in today’s European Championships taking team showjumping gold and individual gold and bronze in dressage.

Jessica Kreig and Danilo took gold for Germany in the individual dressage on 76.7%, with Antoinette Te Riele on Golden Girl for the Netherlands in silver and Lena Walterscheidt on Deinhard B in bronze.

But the roof was raised by British supporters for Claire Gallimore and Gigolo, who put yesterday’s mistake behind them to score 71.4%, which was good enough for fifth.

“Yesterday he was on the edge and went over, but today I just managed to keep him on the edge and I was thrilled with him. I’m really ready for the Kur on Sunday,” said Claire. “It’s my best score in the Europeans.”

The individual dressage placings were decided in the last nine to go with the leader board constantly changing.

Britain’s youngest rider, 12-year-old Erin Williams and Danny Boy B, came 16th on 67.2%, but also made Sunday’s Kur (for the top 15 horses) because each nation can only field their top three riders. Charlotte Gill and Ferrari came 24th with 63.05%.

Showjumping

Team GB’s showjumpers began today’s competition on the back foot after Daisy Davis, one of the team’s more experienced riders, broke her collar bone in the warm-up.

After round one the British team was lying in fifth, and they maintained that position with two second round clears from 13 year olds Amy Inglis (Nils D Hurl Vent) and Emily Roe (Aroldo).

Claire Whitaker, Chair of Performance Development for British Showjumping said: “We were a little bit unlucky, but we’ve some good young riders for the future.”

Germany took gold, the Irish silver and Belgium bronze.

The president’s prize, awarded to the rider catching president Jeanette Dawson’s eye, went to Ireland’s Bertram Allen, who finished on a clean sheet with Acapella Z.

Follow the action from Bishop Burton on Horseandhound.co.uk and read H&H’s full report on all the action in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 5 August

Britain second after dressage at pony eventing Europeans

Horse & Hound — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:17:14 +0000

The British eventers will go into tomorrow’s cross-country at the Pony European Championships at Bishop Burton lying in second, seven penalties behind Germany and just over one penalty ahead of Italy.

But Eric Winter’s track will need championship riding so it is anything but a dressage contest.

The day began with Sophie How, riding as an individual on Hotshots, topping the leader board with a stunning test, scoring 44.0pen, to end up as best of the Brits in third place.

She was followed by Sophie Beaty with Done and Dusted VI, recording the same score of 46.9 that team mate Grace Webster and Noble Springbok did yesterday. The pair now lie equal sixth.

Britain’s final rider, Sam Ecroyd, was delivering a stunning test on Catherstone Nutsafe until she got a bit unsettled and jogged in the walk. The pair recovered well to finish on 53.1 in 18th place. “She was a bit sharp,” said 13-year-old Sam.

The riders who rode tests yesterday, Alfie Bradstock and Montezuma III on 51.9 and Harry Humfrey, riding Tantany Torch as an individual on 57.2, are lying 16th and 23rd respectively.

Team trainer Jonquil Hemming said she was delighted with the team performance. “We’ve come a long way in dressage over the last four years and it showed today. No-one lost the plot and I’m thrilled to bits with them.”

The team is now preparing for tomorrow’s cross-country.

“Our plans are a bit up in the air at the moment as it’s probably the toughest track we’ve seen. We need plan A and plan B and maybe Plan C as well,” said Jonquil.

Alfie Bradstock, 16, a European team veteran, will go out as pathfinder on Montezuma III.

“I think there are some really tough fences, including the double of corners and the drops at fence 14, so we’ll have to attack it,” he said.

Denmark’s Bianca Walton with Noerlunds Cape Town heads the dressage on a score of 42.6pen.

Follow the action from Bishop Burton on Horseandhound.co.uk and read H&H”s full report on all the action in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 5 August

Britain narrowly miss out on pony European dressage medal

Horse & Hound — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:12:04 +0000

The Dutch pony dressage team snatched European victory from the Germans by just two marks at Bishop Burton today, claiming gold for the first time in 20 years. Britain narrowly missed out on the bronze, finishing just four points behind Denmark.

The Netherlands and Germany were nip and tuck throughout the competition, with the German riders following the Dutch into the arena every time. It wasn’t until the last German, Katerina Weychert with Golden Derano C, had finished that the Dutch knew they’d won.

Denmark took bronze with 206.222, some 13 marks adrift of Germany, putting the Great Britain team into fourth.

“We’re delighted. It’s the last year in ponies for three of the team and they’ve been working together for this so long,” said Netherlands’ Chef D’Equipe Tineke Bartles.

The final medal positions weren’t secured until the last test — Team GB’s Claire Gallimore with Gigolo. As the sevens and eights consistently hit the scoreboard, British supporters crossed everything. But disappointingly Gigolo broke in his medium trot, earning fours across the board. The pair recovered to finish on 68.61%, putting them into 10th individually, and leaving the team just four marks behind Denmark.

The British team, who had been ninth overnight, rose to seventh place after a sparkling test from third rider and team debutante Erin Williams (Danny Boy B) for 69.55%, putting them into eight place individual to finish best of the British. The previous day Charlotte Gill and Ferrari scored 64.5% to leave her in 24th, with Lottie Fry on 59.5% and 36th.

Erin Williams, 12, said: “I’m over the moon to be in eighth, as my trainer said she’d be pleased if I got into the top 15. Before I went in I said to myself ‘Yes! Get in there and do it!’ which seemed to work.”

Meanwhile, the British event team are off to a strong start heading the overnight leaderboard with Grace Walker on veteran team pony Noble Springbok on 46.9pen in individual first and Alfie Bradstock on Montezuma III in fifth on 51.9pen. Harry Humfrey, competing as an individual, lies in ninth with 57.2pen on Tantany Torch.

Follow the action from Bishop Burton on Horseandhound.co.uk and read H&H”s full report on all the action in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 5 August

British eventing squad chosen for pony European Championships

Pippa Roome — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:38:00 +0000

The British eventing squad for the pony European Championships at Bishop Burton (29 July-1 August) has been announced.

Following a training weekend in Cheshire with team coach Jonquil Hemming, six combinations have been chosen — four will be on the team and two will ride as individuals — and three reserves.

The squad will have a final pre-championship run at Shipton Moyne, Glos, on Tuesday, 6 July in the open novice.

Chairman of pony selectors Ginnie Keen explains: “Selection has been tough this year and has taken longer than anticipated. We are now confident that we have a strong and competitive squad to take to Bishop Burton.”

Squad in alphabetical order:

Sophie Beaty, 14, on Done And Dusted VI
Alfie Bradstock, 16, on Louise Hamilton’s Montezuma II
Sam Ecroyd, 13, on Penelope Ecroyd’s Catherston Nutsafe
Sophie How, 15, on Rachel How’s Hotshots
Harry Humfrey, 15, on Tantany Torch
Grace Walker, 13, on Noble Springbok

Reserves in order of acceptance:

Emily Janey Ryder, 15, on Mr Moon
Phillipa Hill, 14 on A Touch Of Spice
Pumbaa Goess-Saurau, 13, on Susie Goess-Saurau’s Killacoran Blue

Alfie Bradstock is the only chosen rider with championship experience — he rode at last year’s Europeans as an individual with Montezuma II — but two of the ponies have medals to their names.

Sam Ecroyd’s ride Catherston Nutsafe was a double team silver medallist with Ella McEwen (2008 and 2009) and Grace Walker’s Noble Springbok has individual bronze (2005, Laura Collett), silver (2006, Libbey Soley) and gold medals (2007, Libby Soley), as well as three team medals, on his record.

Britain has an excellent record in the pony Europeans, winning a team medal every year since 2005, and will be looking to keep this up on home soil in 2010.

Sam Ecroyd heads British pony eventing shortlist for Europeans

Pippa Roome — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:28:46 +0000

New pony national champion Sam Ecroyd heads the shortlist for this year’s British pony eventing team.

Sam won the Charles Owen British pony championship at Brand Hall last weekend and has his winning partner, Catherston Nutsafe, on the list, as well as Three Wells Breeze, ninth at Brand Hall.

Nine riders have been shortlisted for the European Championships at Bishop Burton, Yorks (29 July-1 August).

Those shortlisted will attend a training weekend on the 26-27 June after which the squad and reserves will be announced. Those selected will have a final run at Shipton Moyne, Glos (6-7 July), in the open novice before the Europeans.

Chairman of pony selectors Ginnie Keen said: “We have many good combinations in contention this year which makes it difficult to select the squad straight after Brand Hall. The decision to select after the training weekend will allow us to have assessed all the ponies so we can ensure we have the strongest possible squad to take to Bishop Burton.”

Alfie Bradstock is the only shortlisted rider with championship experience — he rode at last year’s Europeans as an individual with his shortlisted pony this time, Montezuma II — but several of the ponies have medals to their names.

Sam Ecroyd’s ride Catherston Nutsafe was a double team silver medallist with Ella McEwen (2008 and 2009), Pumba Goess-Saurau’s Killacoran Blue was a team silver medallist with Eliza Stoddart (2008) and Grace Walker’s Noble Springbok has individual bronze (2005, Laura Collett), silver (2006, Libbey Soley) and gold medals (2007, Libby Soley), as well as three team medals, on his record.

Britain has an excellent record in the pony Europeans, winning a team medal every year since 2005, and will be looking to keep this up on home soil in 2010.

Full shortlist:

Sophie Beaty, 14, with her own Done And Dusted VI
Alfie Bradstock, 16, with Louise Hamilton’s Montezuma II
Sam Ecroyd, 13, with Penelope Ecroyd’s Catherston Nutsafe and Three Wells Breeze
Pumba Goess-Saurau, 13, with Susie Goess-Saurau’s Killacoran Blue
Phillipa Hill, 14, with her own A Touch Of Spice
Sophie How, 15, with her own The Sky Master
Harry Humfrey, 15, with his own Tantany Torch
Emily Jane Ryder, 15, with her own Mr Moon
Grace Walker, 13, with her own Noble Springbok

Full report from the Charles Owen British pony championship at Brand Hall in H&H out today, 10 June.

Building firm sponsors FEI European Pony Championships

Horse & Hound — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:46:53 +0000

Yorkshire-based building company Eric Bradley Construction Ltd will sponsor the FEI European Pony Championships 2010 at Bishop Burton College (28 July-1 August).

The company has been associated with the college since the 1960s and sponsors the Bishop Burton College Horse Trials.

Managing director Eric Bradley said: “We built many of the college’s agricultural buildings, as well as two indoor riding schools and were involved in the development and construction of the pig unit and more recently, the outdoor animal management centre.

“The championships will provide us with the opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for the support the college has shown us over the years and to raise the profile of our own business.”

Bishop Burton College principal and competition president Jeanette Dawson said: “We are hoping to attract a large number of spectators to the event from across Europe, as well as competitors, officials and their entourages so the promotional opportunities this prestigious competitionpresents for businesses are extensive.”

Sponsorship packages are still available for the FEI European Pony Championships and interested parties should contact Clare Garrick on 01964 553053.

The event will also feature a large retail village and space is still available for companies who may wish to take a trade stand, although more than 60% of the space has already been allocated.

Would you like to receive the latest trade news direct to your inbox every Tuesday? Then sign up for Horse & Hound’s free trade e-newsletter now

Britain’s pony squads claim two European medals

Pippa Roome — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:44:34 +0000

Britain’s pony eventers grabbed the team silver medal in a close final show jumping phase at their European Championships in Moorsele, Belgium (29 July-3 August).

The Derby House-sponsored team lay in the bronze medal position after the cross-country, but in the show jumping Lottie Kennedy, 16, and Katie Bleekman, 16, produced clear rounds to elevate the team to silver.

Lottie finished fifth individually on Darraks Tonto, Kate was sixth on Cregaan Scenic, while reigning British pony national champion Ella McEwen, 15, contributed the third team score in 12th on Catherston Nutsafe.

Fourth team member Sophie Martin, 15, (Trewithian Bracken) finished 36th after a couple of problems cross-country.

Individual Jessica Watts, 14, also had a successful trip, taking seventh place on Lord Of The Ring. Britain’s other individual, Alfie Bradstock, 15, withdrew Montezuma II before the show jumping when he was lying in 15th place.

Ginnie Keen, chairman of the pony selectors, was delighted and said: “All six children have been amazing throughout these championships; they really gelled together and supported each other.

“The team has done a superb job. We thought we would come home with the bronze, so getting the silver is fantastic. All of the riders did their very best and really deserve this medal.”

Squad trainer Jonquil Hemming was particularly pleased with the British riders’ performance in the dressage phase: “We were all thrilled with every single one of the dressage tests, all the team and their ponies produced a solid, good test.

“They are a really good bunch of kids and they all fought for each other and were very encouraging.”

Britain’s show jumping and dressage teams both finished fifth place, but Shropshire-based Chad Fellows, 15, won a second medal for Britain when he produced a foot-perfect double clear to win the individual show jumping bronze on 12-year-old gelding Snatch.

Holly Woodhead was best of Britain’s dressage riders, finishing 11th in the freestyle and 10th in the individual test on Languard 4.

Full report on the dressage, show jumping and eventing from the pony European Championships in next week’s Horse & Hound (13 August).

Full results

Ella McEwen heads British eventing squad for pony Europeans

Pippa Roome — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:33:04 +0000

New national pony eventing champion Ella McEwen will spearhead Britain’s eventing squad at this year’s pony European Championships in Moorsele, Belgium (29 July – 2 August).

The full Derby House-sponsored squad is:

Ella McEwen, 15, on Catherston Nutsafe, owned by Lizzie Murray and Jennie Loriston-Clarke
Jessica Watts, 14, on her own Lord Of The Ring
Lottie Kennedy, 16, on her own Darraks Tonto
Sophie Martin, 15, on her own Trewithian Bracken
Alfie Bradstock, 15, on Montezuma II, owned by Louise Hamilton
Katie Bleekman, 16, on Cregaan Scenic, owned by Team Bleekman

Two of the riders have previous squad experience — Ella, who won a team silver medal last year, and Lottie Kennedy, who rode as an individual in 2007.

This is the first year pony squads have consisted of six riders instead of five, and the team of four and the two individuals will be announced after the ponies have been trotted up and been measured by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) officials.

Chairman of the pony selectors Ginnie Keen said: “This group of riders is the most lovely lot of young people and I’m very much looking forward to taking them to Belgium on our quest for medals.”

British Eventing chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith added: “We are lucky as a sport to have so many talented young event riders. I know the selectors had a tough job picking the final squad as there are a lot of strong contenders waiting in the wings.”

The squad have a lot to live up to as the Brits have brought home a team medal every year for the past four years, including two golds, and have also captured three individual medals in that period.

Full report on the final pony trial at Brand Hall in this week’s Horse & Hound, out tomorrow (11 June)

Yorkshire college will host FEI Pony Europeans in 2010

Charlotte White — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:31:41 +0000

Bishop Burton College will host the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Pony European Championships in 2010.

The college, based in Yorkshire, has just undergone a £25million redevelopment, with a new indoor arena and library building.

College principal Jeanette Dawson said: “Playing host to these fantastic events gives the college the chance to show off its magnificent facilities and further improve the standard of our own competitions.”

Pony European Championship results, 23-27 July

Horse & Hound — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:45:46 +0000

PONY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, Avenches, Switzerland, 23-27 July

Show jumping, 23 Jul: warm up.— 1, Adalmina’s Secret (T Leivo), FIN; 2, Spot The Lady (P Allen), GBR; 3, Jerome (L Klaphake), GER; 8, The Colour Of Money (G Whitaker), GBR. 24 Jul: 1st qualifier.— 1, Classic Ways (J Werbe), DEN; 2, Top Chiaro Di Luna (P Clemens), BEL; 3, Spot The Lady; 9, The Colour Of Money. 25 Jul: 2nd qualifier. — 1eq, 4 tied inc The Colour Of Money; 5, Spot The Lady; 6, Mr Nice Guy (J Smith), GBR. teams. — 1, Britain; 2, The Netherlands; 3, Germany. 27 Jul: ind.— 1, The Colour Of Money; 2, Giovanni (T Maurice), GER; 3, Nikolina (J Vinter Jensen), DEN; 4, Spot The Lady. eventing: indiv.— 1, Mr Hale Bob (N Stegemann), GER 39,0,4=43; 2, Mon Nantano De Florys (C Deschamps), FRA 37.6,1.6,4=43.2; 3, Biggi (P Münker), GER 39,5.2,0=44.2; 4, Ice Cool Bailey (G Ruck), GBR 45.7,0,0=45.7; 2, Killacoran Blue (E Stoddart), GBR 47.1,0,1=48.1; 3, Catherston Nutsafe (E McEwan), GBR 49,0.4,0=49.4; 10, Glenayre Bay Surf (H Dunning), GBR 52.1,0,4=56.1; 11, Nightgirl 002 (A Bleekman), GBR 44.3,8.4,4=56.7. team.— 1, Germany 140; 2, Great Britain 143.2; 3, Italy 179.4. dressage: prelim warm-up.— 1, Deinhard B (S Rothenberger), GER 73.6; 2, Dornik B (K Weychert), GER 71.85; 3, Going East (F Kienbaum), GER 71.75; 19, De Vito (N Leak), GBR 66.15; 20, Languard (A Woodhead), GBR 65.95; 22, Kastanienhof’s Vitus (O Kuropatwa), GBR 65.75; 32, Nanos (R Hayler), GBR 63.8. team test.— 1, Deinhard B 74.48; 2, Dornik B 72.68; 3, Dulcia (C Hassenbürger), GER 72.42; 20, De Vito 66.63; 23, Kastanienhof’s Vitus 66.37; 25, Languard 65.74. nations cup.— 1, Germany; 2, The Netherlands; 3, Denmark; 5, Great Britain. consolation finals.— 1, Going East 72.9; 2, Neerveld’s Blamoer (A Fairchild), BEL 69.84; 3, Ferrari (S Seemann), DEN 69.16; 5, Kastanienhof’s Vitus 68.37; 9, Nanos 66.74; 11, De Vito (N Leak) 65.95; 15, Languard 64.21. ind final.— 1, Deinhard B 75.1; 2, Golden Girl (A Te Riele), NED 72.35; 3, Tim (E Aspnas), SWE 70.7.

Gold and silver medals for British riders at pony Europeans

Horse & Hound — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:39:26 +0000

British pony teams returned home victorious yesterday (28 July) from the pony European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland (24-27 July) with a clutch of gold and silver medals.

The John Whitaker International pony show jumping team won team gold, finishing on a total of just nine faults, ahead of the Netherlands on 15.

The team was made up of George Whitaker (The Colour Of Money), Pippa Allen (Spot The Lady), James Smith (Mr Nice Guy) and Emma Stoker (Peron III).

British young riders have an outstanding medal tally at the Pony European Championships. They have won 11 team gold medals and one team silver in the past 12 years.

Sixteen-year-old George Whitaker from West Yorkshire also took individual gold with Christopher McSharry’s 10-year-old gelding The Colour Of Money.

Ending on a total of five faults, George finished ahead of Germany’s Maurice Betttle and Giovanni with nine faults.

In the pony eventing European Championship the Derby House British team took silver, just behind Germany.

The squad was made up of Gina Ruck (Ice Cool Bailey), Eliza Stoddart (Killacorran Blue), Ella McEwen (Catherston Nutsafe), Althea Bleekman (Nightgirl 002) and individual Helen Dunning (Glenayre Bay Surf).

Gina, Eliza and Ella all jumped clear.

In the dressage championships the team of Natasha Leak (De Vito) Olivia Kuropatwa (Kastanienhof’s Vitus), Roberta Hayler (Nanos) and Amy Woodhead (Languard 4) came sixth.

Germany took the top slot with The Netherlands second. Denmark took bronze and Belgium were fifth.

British pony eventing team in silver medal position after dressage

Pippa Roome — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:41:07 +0000

The British team has made a strong start, lying second behind Germany after the dressage phase of the eventing pony European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland.

All four British team members scored under 50, and team trainer Jonquil Hemming is thrilled with their performances, commenting that the standard across all the nations gets better every year.

Althea Bleekman (pictured) is best of the British on 44.3, which puts her sixth with the 10-year-old mare Nightgirl 002. The only remaining members of last year’s gold medal-winning team, British national pony champions Gina Ruck and Ice Cool Bailey, are in eighth place.

Ella McEwen had an exciting time when her mare, Catherston Nutsafe, eyed up a stallion warming up and whinnied at it during her test.

Team manager Ginnie Keen said, “Ella did a remarkable job in a tough situation and kept her cool. To still come out with a score in the 50s was a great achievement.”

Ella lies 11th, one place behind fourth team member Eliza Stoddard (Killacoran Blue), while individual Helen Dunning (Glenayre Bay Surf) is 18th.

The ponies will have a rest day tomorrow, before tackling the cross-country on Saturday.

Make sure you buy Horse & Hound on 7 August for a full report on the pony European Championships and colour photographs.

TEAM SCORES AFTER DRESSGE

1. Germany 122.2

2. Great Britain 137.2

3. Italy 152.2

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS AFTER DRESSAGE

1. Mon Nantano De Florys (Chloe Deschamps, FRA) 37.6

2=. Biggi (Pia Munker, GER) 39

2=. Mr Hale Bob (Nina Stegemann) GER 39

BRITISH PLACINGS AFTER DRESSAGE

6. Nightgirl 002 (Althea Bleekman, team) 44.3

8. Ice Cool Bailey (Gina Ruck, team) 45.7

10. Killacoran Blue (Eliza Stoddart, team) 47.1

11. Catherston Nutsafe (Ella McEwen, team) 49

18. Glenayre Bay Surf (Helen Dunning, individual) 52.1

Full results

Pony European eventing championships

Horse & Hound — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:25:43 +0000

FREUDENBERG Germany, 19-22 July

Pony European Championships individual— 1, Noble Springbok (L Soley, GB) 41,0,0=41; 2, Andy 113 (V Hauptmann, GER) 42.4,0,0=42.4; 3, Mr Hale Bob (N Stegemann, GER) 40.5,0,4=44.5; 4, Dick Taytoe (T McEwen, GB) 44.8,0,0=44.8; 9, Ice Cool Bailey (G Ruck, GB) 44.5,0,11=55.5; 10, Darraks Tonto (L Kennedy, GB) 55.5,0,0=55.5; 15, Puzzle IV (C Kirkpatrick, GB) 60.5,0,4=64.5. team— 1, Great Britain (L Soley, T McEwen, G Ruck, C Kirkpatrick) 141.3; 2, Germany (V Hauptmann, J Tonjes, F Ludeke, B Leuwer) 147.9; 3, Italy (P Sandei, Y Priore, D Cardinali, C Mantici) 191.8.

FEI pony measurement

Karen Spinner — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:06:36 +0000

The first mass measurement of ponies at international level has been hailed as a success.

A total of 148 ponies were measured at the European Pony Championships in Freudenberg, Germany, last week (17-22 July), with only one pony — from an Italian team — measuring out.

One of the two vets carrying out the measuring was H&H’s Karen Coumbe.

“It was all so straightforward,” she said. “It worked really well and the time factor wasn’t a problem. We started at 8am and finished at 6pm, with time to spare.”

The pony who measured out was disqualified.

Compulsory measuring was introduced by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) after a random selection of ponies was measured at last year’s pony Europeans. More than half the 17 ponies measured proved too tall, some by as much as 10cm (news, 12 October 2006).

An FEI spokesman said the results from Germany prove that on-site measuring works:“We’re very pleased with how it went. There had been so much opposition to measuring beforehand, but it was incredibly uneventful.”

All ponies were measured by two vets — Karen and Tim Watson. When the two gave a different measurement, the lower figure was taken as the definitive height.

Karen explained: “Tim and I measured each one separately and did not look at what the other was doing.”

The FEI spokesman admitted that some competitors complained that not all ponies were wearing shoes of the same thickness.

She said: “We have asked all the national federations to give us feedback. As this is the first time measuring has been done at this level on site, the rules are bound to need a little tweaking — and shoeing may come into this — so we will listen carefully to what the federations say and issue a redraft of the rules, hopefully by November.”

Read this news story in full in the current issue of Horse & Hound (26 July, ’07)

Gold and bronze for British jumping ponies

Horse & Hound — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:36:24 +0000

Britain’s Zoe Adams (pictured right), 16, has been crowned the new European pony individual champion, taking the gold medal on V.I.P. Tixylix in Freudenberg, Germany.

Britain’s James Smith, 15, riding Mr Nice Guy had to jump off against Germany’s Carolin Zell to decide the silver and bronze medal positions after they both finished on eight penalties.

Carolin beat James the silver medal by just two tenths of a second after both riders jumped clear in the head-to-head. Pippa Allen, 13, riding Spot the Lady finished in equal fourth place.

A jubilant chef d’equipe, Katrina Moore said: “To add individual gold and bronze medals to the team gold we won on Friday is a fantastic achievement. Zoe and James have done us proud. Their performances throughout the four days have been outstanding. We have had a terrific championships!”

Individual final results

Gold: Zoe Adams (GBR) V.I.P. Tixylix

Silver: Carolin Zell (GER) Wombel 17

Bronze: James Smith (GBR) Mr Nice Guy

British jumping ponies win team European gold

Pony European Championships eventing

Carol Phillips — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:21:53 +0000

Libby Soley and Noble Springbok were crowned individual European pony champions and lead the British squad to team victory in Germany at the weekend.

Libby completed all three phases on her dressage score of 41pen to take the individual title, ahead of Germany’s overnight leader Nina Stegemann, who lowered a pole in the show jumping to drop to bronze position. Germany’s Valeska Hauptmann took the silver medal riding Andy 113 on 42.4pen.

Britain’s Tom McEwen on Dick Taytoe also finished on his dressage score, just outside the medals in fourth place on his team debut. Two show jumps down plus time faults for Gina Ruck and Ice Cool Bailey put paid to her individual chances as she dropped down to ninth, but her performance ensured Britain brought home the gold medal ahead of the host nation.

British individual Lottie Kennedy riding Daraks Tonto was the third British rider to complete on her dressage score in 10th, while Chloe Kirkpatrick with Puzzle IV added four to her dressage score to finish in 15th.

Individual results

1. Libby Soley/Noble Springbok (GBR) 41.0

2. Valeska Hauptmann/Andy 113 (GER) 42.4

3. Nina Stegemann/Mr Hale Bob (GER) 44.5

4. Tom McEwen/Dick Taytoe (GBR) 44.8

9. Gina Ruck/Ice Cool Bailey (GBR) 55.5

10. Lottie Kennedy/Daraks Tonto (GBR) 55.5

15. Chloe Kirkpatrick/Puzzle IV (GBR) 64.5

Team results

1. Britain 141.30

2. Germany 147.90

3. Italy 191.80

4. Netherlands 206.00

5. Ireland 217.80

6. Belgium 228.20

Check out Horse&Hound (2 August) for a full report and pictures from the pony European Championships in dressage, eventing and show jumping

Pony European Championships show jumping

Penny Richardson — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:58:09 +0000

Britain’s pony show jumpers decimated their rivals to retain their team title this afternoon at the European Championships in Freudenberg, Germany.

All our riders played a part in this success. The sole double clear of the competition for Scotland’s James Smith on Mr Nice Guy laid the foundations, Pippa Allen rode two four-fault rounds on Spot The Lady and Jordan Whittaker (Edsilia) and Zoe Adams (VIP Tixylix) weighed in with a clear round apiece.

The Netherlands finished 11 faults adrift in second place, with Ireland a further three penalties behind to take bronze.

James leads the competition on a zero score going into the individual final, with Zoe seventh, Pippa 10th and Jordan in 14th place. But with only three fences covering the top 15 riders, there will be all to play for on Sunday afternoon.

See Horse&Hound magazine 2 August for a full report and pictures from the pony European Championships in dressage, eventing and show jumping

Pony European Championships dressage

Carol Phillips — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:44:20 +0000

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

Pony European Championships

Penny Richardson — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:26:28 +0000

Britain’s pony show jumpers have been drawn last of 10 nations in this afternoon’s team competition at the pony European Championships in Freudenberg, Germany.

Pippa Allen (Spot The Lady), Jordan Whitaker (Edsilia), James Smith (My Nice Guy) and Zoe Adams (VIP Tixylix) will jump in this order in the two-round class starting at 11am GMT. These European Championship first-timers are trying to retain the title won by Britain last year.

Because this is also the second individual qualifer, fifth squad member Emma Stoker (Trefilan Talisman) will also jump in both rounds. She has been drawn second to go this morning and will hope to improve on yesterday’s 14 faults. The other British riders are all on zero scores individually.

Stay up to date with the latest news from Germany on horseandhound.co.uk

Pony European Championships dressage

Sarah Jenkins — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:26:16 +0000

Britain’s European pony dressage team are on track for a bronze medal if they keep up the form shown in yesterday’s preliminary tests at Freudenberg, Germany.

Britain lay third in the warm-up competition, behind Germany (who filled the top four places) and The Netherlands. But the Danish team are perilously close, with two of their riders going ahead of all four Brits yesterday.

Emily Harris, 16, was best of the British riding the 11-year-old stallion by Dressman, Don Joshi. The pair scored 68.15% for 11th place. Teammates Alexandria Barr (De Vito), Olivia Kuropatwa (Kastanienhof’s Vitus) and Alice Thompson (Donnerblitz) filled 13th to 15th places respectively.

Today the riders have a rest before the team competition on Friday (20 July), followed by the individual and freestyle on Saturday (21 July) and Sunday (22 July).

See Horse&Hound magazine 2 August for a full report and pictures from the pony European Championships in dressage, eventing and show jumping

Pony Europeans Show Jumping

Penny Richardson — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:12:19 +0000

Britain’s pony show jumpers have made a solid start at the European Championships in Mannheim, Germany.

After all five ponies passed the trot-up and compulsory measuring, Pippa Allen (Spot The Lady), Jordan Whittaker (Edsilia), Zoe Adams (VIP Tixylix), Emma Stoker (Trefilan Talisman) and James Smith (Mr Nice Guy) jumped clear in the warm-up class, with Pippa and Jordan taking third and fourth places respectively.

In today’s speed leg, things did not go right for Emma Stoker, who collected 14 faults on her Welsh pony and now faces an uphill battle to make the top 30 who will jump for the individual medals on Sunday afternoon. But terrific clears from the other British riders have put them in a strong position.

The class was won by Italy’s Filippo Bologni on the charismatic Connemara stallion Dexter Liam Pondi. But close behind in second place were Jordan and her chestnut mare, with Pippa in fourth and James and Zoe 11th and 12th respectively.

The British riders will defend their team title at noon (11am British time) in tomorrow’s Nations Cup, which is also the second individual qualifier.

See Horse&Hound magazine 2 August for a full report and pictures from the pony European Championships in dressage, eventing and show jumping

2007 FEI European Pony Championships

Abigail Butcher — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:51:36 +0000

One pony has measured out at the 2007 FEI European Pony Championships in Germany.

The pony, which H&H believes is from the Italian team, was measured out yesterday before the pony inspection.

Some 148 ponies from 17 nations are in Germany to compete in dressage, show jumping and eventing.

Ponies were measured for the first time at a European Championships according to new rules from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) that came into effect on 1 January this year.

Under the new rules, all ponies must be measured on site before taking part in the championships. So it is now the responsibility of each participating nation to ensure all ponies are the right height — 148cm without shoes, 149cm with shoes — before arriving at the competition.

But to allow for the fact that the measurement took place at a competition, a 2cm “tolerance margin” was applied. So ponies measured in Germany yesterday were not to exceed 150cm without shoes, 151cm with shoes.

H&H veterinary advisor and FEI vet Karen Coumbe and her British colleague, Tim Watson, measured all 148 ponies yesterday.

For more on the measuring, see Horse & Hound (Thursday, 26 July)

British pony European championships

Carol Phillips — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:34:54 +0000

Five of Britain’s most talented pony show jumpers have been chosen to represent their country at the Pony European Championships being held in Freudenberg, Germany from 18-22 July.

The squad will comprise Zoe Adams and V.I.P Tixylix, Pippa Allen on Spot The Lady, James Smith and My Nice Guy, Emma Stoker riding Trefilan Talisman and Jordan Whittaker with Edsilia. The non-travelling reserve is Rebecca Roe with Aroldo, who were members of the 2006 Pony European Gold Medal winning team.

Britain’s pony show jumping team have an outstanding medal tally at the Pony European Championships having won nine team gold medals and one team silver medal in the last 10 years. The riders chosen to represent Britain in Germany have recently demonstrated their talent and form to claim their places on the squad.

Zoe Adams and V.I.P Tixylix won the John Whitaker International Winter Classic at the Royal Show, the grand prix at Norton Heath and were members of the winning Nations Cup Team in Aach.

Pippa’s ride Spot The Lady won European Gold Medal with Jodie Ward in 2004. This will be Pippa’s first European Championships, but the pair have already proved their worth on the Pony Nations Cup Team who were second in Wierden, as well as finishing second in the winter classic at the Royal Show.

James will also be contesting his first pony European Championships, but he has had many wins with Mr Nice Guy including the grand prix at Dabbs Arena and the 148cm Final at Rowallan, along with Home Pony International appearances in 2006.

Emma and Trefilan Talisman were on the Nations Cup Team who were second in Wierden and were second in the John Whitaker International Grand Prix at the Royal Show.

Jordan and Edsilia have had a successful start to the year with wins in the Junior Show Jumper of the Year qualifiers and a win at Pony of the Year Show, as well as appearing on the Nations Cup Team who were second in Wierden.

The squad will be accompanied to the European Championships by pony chairman Clare Whitaker, chef d’equipe Katrina Moore, team trainer Alan Fazakerley and team vet Mark Sinnott.

European Pony Championships survive storm damage

Karen Spinner — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:44:15 +0000

There will be no change of venue for next month’s European Pony Championships (19-22 July) after part of the site was destroyed by lightning.

The strike at Freudenderg, Germany, on 9 June resulted in several buildings at the venue being razed to the ground.

But representatives from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) have since inspected the facilities and are happy that the championships can go ahead.

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Josh was part of the gold medal-winning Irish pony team at the European championships in 2022 but says, “Ever since I started riding ponies, I couldn’t wait to turn 16 to get my licence.

“Even while I was eventing, I was waiting to be able to ride in racing.

“I’d like to go to college and juggle it with race-riding at the same time and see how that works out – it’s worked out for my first cousin Harry Swan, so it would be great to do the same.”

Many people have observed the similarity between Josh’s riding style and that of his father Norman, who achieved the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double on Alderbrook and Master Oats in 1995.

“My dad is a great help and after every ride he’ll go through the race with me – even if he couldn’t watch it, he’ll talk me through it and tell me what I did wrong, tell me what I did right,” Josh said. “I think it must be genes or something, though.”

The future looks very bright for this young talent.

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Despite the emphatic victory, the team competition was still forced to the wire when Britain had to jump off against France for a spot on the podium, after both teams tied on 16 penalties.

In a resurgent performance all four members of the team were then faultless, leaving them on 16 penalties and putting them back in the medal hunt.

“We were lucky in a sense as you carry on with your original drawn order, so we followed France in the jump-off,” team manager Clare Whitaker said. “I told each of the team not to go into the ring until they knew exactly what they had to do.”

“It wasn’t as big as Poland last year, around 1.25m to 1.30m, where as Poland was 1.35m and 1.40m in the individual final,” said Izabella, who only had two poles throughout the whole team and individual competition.

“Going into the individual final I knew I already had a team medal in the bag and I was grateful to the team that I didn’t have to jump off. I had been slightly nervous the first day and we were sat in 24th, so to work our way up to be in contention for a medal was something special.”

“We drove home in the car with the vet and Jason and Katrina Moore. We were watching the jump-off in the car then Robert rang and everyone was cheering,” Clare said.

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