Britain’s pony riders make history at Europeans
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.
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“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.
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.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.