Gold and silver medals for British riders at pony Europeans

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.

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