Holly Truelove wins Individual Silver at the Pony European Championships
Sunday 18 August 2019
Holly Truelove won the Individual Silver medal this afternoon in a nail biting jump off against France’s Ilona Mezzadri at the Pony European Championships in Strzegom, Poland. This success followed the Team Silver won by the Brits, competing under the title sponsor banner of Team LeMieux, on Friday.
Sixteen year-old Holly from Brigg, Lincolnshire took the Silver medal on board Rexter d’Or, a 14 year-old grey stallion owned by Barrie Truelove. Holly and Rexter d’Or came into today’s Individual Final in equal first after having been one of only four combinations able to deliver three clear rounds across Thursday and Friday’s competitions.
Thirty-one came forward for the Individual Final and the track proved to be tricky with ponies and riders picking up penalties all around the course. Holly and Rexter d’Or had an unfortunate foot in the water in their first round this afternoon, but they went on to deliver a foot perfect clear in round two.
With the pair having been so strong in their previous rounds, they were assured of a medal, but the colour was to be decided in a jump off for the Individual Silver and Bronze. The Individual Gold was already won by Ireland’s Max Wachman on Cuffesgrange Cavalidam and Holly’s opponent in the jump off was France’s Ilona Mezzadri on Callas Rezidal Z.
Holly was the first to come forward in the jump off and she set the standard when producing a superb clear in just 34.46 seconds. This piled the pressure onto Ilona who went on to have two fences down for 8 penalties.
After the medal ceremony, a clearly thrilled Holly said “It was such an amazing feeling when we jumped clear in the second round as we were unlucky at the water in round one. Coming into the jump off, I knew that I didn’t have much to lose, so I planned to jump as fast as I could whilst being careful over the fences and today, it paid off! Rexter d’Or has been amazing all week and we’ll definitely be celebrating both this evening and when we get home.”
Clare Whitaker, Chef d’Equipe for the Pony Team and British Showjumping Youth Team Manager said “Holly rode the round of her life today to secure the silver medal. She was quite exceptional and her place on the podium couldn’t be more deserved.”
Joining Holly for Great Britain in the Individual Final today were Claudia Moore with Elando van de Roshoeve, Lila Bremner with Lapislazuli, Shaunie Greig with Casino Royale and Hannah Barker with Ammanvalley Santino. Claudia finished in equal sixth with Lila, Shaunie and Hannah all finishing inside the top twenty.
For further information on the show and full results, visit www.strzegom2019.pl.
British Showjumping would like to thank LeMieux, title sponsors of the Pony teams.
LeMieux is one of the fastest growing equestrian brands in Europe. Their modern jumping pads have been developed with Scott Brash and are used by British Showjumping's Nations Cup Teams. The LeMieux product offering now includes a full range of breeches, show shirts and casual wear to add to the extensive collection of boots, bandages, fly hoods, headcollars, rugs and competition equipment. All widely available through good retailers or online at www.horsehealth.co.uk.
The GBR showjumping teams are supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme, funded by UK Sport through the National Lottery. The Programme focuses on identifying talent, developing potential and maximising medal-winning performances on the world stage.
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