Bronze for Great Britain’s junior eventers at Europeans
Great Britain has taken team bronze at the FEI European Junior Eventing Championships in Bialy Bor, Poland, (13-16 August).
In gold was Germany, who led from the front to keep hold of the gold medal position they secured in the dressage phase, finishing on a score of 137.5.
France overtook Team GBR in the showjumping to secure silver on a score of 166.4 penalties.
Chairman of the Racesafe British junior selectors Darrell Scaife said the riders “fought from start to finish” to ensure they went home with a team medal.
The British team was made up of Alex Kennedy on Chocolate Domino, Charlotte Bacon on Sannanvalley Justice, Charlotte East on Clear Dawn and Sam Ecroyd on Opera House.
Going into the final phase the Brits held a narrow lead of less than two penalties over France.
However, a fall by Sam and Opera House at fence 10 on the cross-country meant the pressure was on as all three remaining scores would count.
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But an influential showjumping track saw France overtake Great Britain, who finished just under 10 penalties behind the French on a score of 176.
Individual gold was taken by Germany’s Johanna Zantop on FBW Santana’s Boy, who finished on a score of 37.9 penalties.
Alexander Tordoff, 18, and his own Emill (pictured, below) — competing as individuals — were the highest-placed British combination, finishing in fifth place on a score of 45.4 penalties.
Alex and Chocolate Domino were the top-placed British team combination, finishing seventh on 46.6 penalties.
The pair jumped double clear and added just 0.8 cross-country time penalties to their dressage score of 45.8.
“I am genuinely delighted to come home with a team bronze,” said Darrell following yesterday’s showjumping phase (Sunday 16 August).
“Today was a challenging and technical test of skill. All our riders tried incredibly hard and rode well.”
He added that Alex Tordoff rode a “very stylish round” and Alex Kennedy was “outstanding in every phase”.
“There have been many highs and also some lows this week, but they all were all fantastic to work with and very supportive of one another,” he said.
“Sam, despite his disappointment, was wonderfully encouraging to everyone on the squad, rallying them along all day until the last round was jumped.
“Our riders fought from start to finish to ensure that Britain went home with a team medal this week.
“I am hugely proud for them all that their determination was rewarded.”
Sam and the eight-year-old gelding were unharmed in the fall.
Click here for the full results.
For the full report, don’t miss H&H out Thursday 27 August.
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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.