Lila Bremner finishes 3rd in Opglabbeek Pony Grand Prix
Friday 05 April 2019
It was a superb performance by 15 year-old Lila Bremner, daughter of Rory Bremner, from Swindon when she finished 3rd in the Pony Grand Prix at Sentower Park in Opglabbeek, Belgium this evening
From a field of fifty starters there were only two combinations that managed to achieve a first round zero penalty score across the 1.30m course designed by Peter Schumacher. The course which consisted of thirteen obstacles, requiring sixteen jumping efforts, certainly took its toll on the field as it twisted its 330m way around the arena.
The two-way jump off took place between Katie Power and Ghost Rider (IRE) and Jeanne Hirel and Armine de Costilg (FRA) who took 1st and 2nd place respectively having both picked up 4 penalties in the second round. Katie had the edge having stopped the clock just over a second faster with her time of 39.63.
With the subsequent placings all being decided on faults and time achieved in the first round it was Lila who stepped into 3rd place having jumped clear in the first round, but just outside of the time allowed to accrue a 1 penalty finish. Riding Lapislazuli, a 9 year-old dun stallion owned by her mother Tessa, Lila put in a superb first round performance, but her time of 79.02 seconds saw her finish just two hundredths of a second outside the time allowed to pick up her time penalty.
There were two other combinations that also managed to clear the obstacles, albeit just outside of the time allowed. They were Ryan Sweetnam (IRE) and Beata Hermelin (SWE) but with Lila being the fastest of the three it was herself that took 3rd whilst Ryan finished 4th and Beata in 5th.
Fellow British riders Elloise Smith joined Lila in the line-up with a 6th place finish on Newtown Sampson whilst Shaunie Greig sat two places behind in 8th on Casino Royale.
For full results https://bit.ly/2VtS7og
The competition continues at Sentower Park with the Pony Nations Cup taking place on Sunday under the sponsor banner of Team LeMieux. The squad are accompanied by Chef d’Equipe and British Showjumping Youth Manager Clare Whitaker.
For further information on the show and full results visit www.sentowerpark.com.
