Victory in Germany for British ponies

British pony riders William Whitaker (15), Laura Mantel (16), Louise Saywell (15) and Matthew Sampson (14) finished eight points ahead of their German rivals in the competitive pony Nations’ Cup Competition held in Freudenberg, Germany at the weekend.

Whitaker produced one of the three double clears of the competition with David Sewell’s Indiene de Herne. Clocking up just four faults each in the first round, Mantel (Girl’s Knight) and Saywell (CJ’s Kemosabi) produced superb clears in the second round. Matthew Sampson and Sharon Arnold’s Dooly, who were making their international debut, finished with eight faults in the first round, but jumped clear in round two.

Growing in confidence after their Nations’ Cup performance, there was no stopping Sampson and Dooly in the grand prix, where they jumped an impressive double clear, finishing runner-up to Danish rider, Wouter Vos.

Chef d’Equipe Katrina Moore said: “Some of the nations competing this weekend were using their European teams. It was an exciting competition to watch.”

Whitaker, Mantel, Saywell and Sampson have all been long-listed for Britain’s European squad. The team travelling to the European Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy, will be announced after a final trial at next week’s Royal Show.

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