Great Britain claim Team Bronze at the FEI Pony European Jumping Championships
Saturday 29 July 2023
Great Britain’s pony team lifted the team bronze medal at the FEI Pony European Championships in Le Mans, France, equalling their counterparts in the Young Rider, Junior and Children on Horses championship two weeks earlier.
In day one’s round, Harriet Hodge on Little Charlie and Tilly Bamford with Lapislazuli posted clear rounds with Madison Seedhouse aboard Vaughann de Vuzit and Izabella Rogers riding Neil 55 both made just one mistake for four faults apiece.
With a discard score, the team were on a respectable four faults as they headed into the team competition in equal fifth with Denmark and Germany. However, Ireland proved dominant from the off with a zero score.
Britain didn’t fare so well in the second round of the team competition and only anchor Izabella touted a clean sheet. Pathfinder Harriet came home on eight faults with Madison making just one error for four. It didn’t go according to plan for Tilly as she returned 12 for the discard score and it was all down to Izabella to keep Britain in the running. Forever stylish with a cool head, she delivered – Britain was in with a fighting chance but there was a lot of work to do.
Meanwhile, Ireland forged ahead on a zero score. Sweden and The Netherlands sat in equal second on 12 faults and Britain joined France and Belgium in equal fourth on a score of 16.
But the Brits showed true grit and galvanised in round two of the team competition and everyone posted a glorious clear round.
There was no catching Ireland as they maintained their zero score for Team Gold and Sweden also put up a zero score to remain on 12 faults for Silver. The Netherlands and Belgium faulted to drop by the wayside, but France fought as strongly as the Brits and also supplied a clear round score, forcing a jump-off for Team Bronze.
Britain’s strength and determination came shining through despite the pressure. Harriet came home on four faults on Little Charlie with Madison supplying a super clear aboard Vaughann De Vuzit.
France faltered and returned eight faults – the onus was on Tilly to jump clear for the win. And she pulled it off, Lapislazuli answering every call. Britain celebrated with a well-deserved and hard-fought Bronze medal to stand proudly on the podium.
“We had the luck in the sense we followed France so after the third rider we knew exactly what we had to do,” said chef d’Equipe and Youth team manager Clare Whitaker. “Tilly was told what she had to do and she did it! I was extremely pleased with them as it is difficult coming from behind but all being clear in the second round [of the teams] was fantastic and put the pressure on.”
Izabella Rogers and Neil 55 currently sit in equal seventh on four faults in the individual standings behind six on a zero score.
The individual final will take place on Sunday, 30th July at 12:30pm (BST) and can be watch live on FEI.TV, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.
Image: Equisportif
