British riders are consistent in Zuidwolde as Lauren Caroline, Olivia Sponer and Emily Gulliver claim Grand Prix podium places

Monday 03 June 2024

Lauren Caroline jumps into third in the Young Rider Grand Prix aboard Gait L at the De Wolden Youth Spring Tour 

Lauren Caroline claimed third place in a tense Young Rider Grand Prix to conclude the De Wolden Youth Spring Tour in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, with Gait L, just two tenths of second separating the top three.

Course-designer Henk Linders set a 12-fence 1.45m track for the 48 riders forward with seven elite competitors leaving every fence intact to access the jump-off.  Drawn second to go, Lauren had to set the target with the 13-year-old Gait L (Zambesi TN x Germus R) and she remained cool and calm, speeding up between fences to stop the clock in a competitive time. 

“I’d planned to go inside from the second fence to the next, but just before I went in the ring, we spotted they’d closed the gap, so I took one less stride between the first two fences and had to go round,” explained Lauren.  “I stayed on a forward stride and kept tight but I think I lost a little time to the second last, I was a bit over-cautious and took one extra stride.”

It was now a matter of waiting. Unfortunately, Lauren didn’t have to wait long. Immediately following, Belgian rider Evelyne Putters was slightly quicker, edging ahead by only 0.20 seconds on Oberon VDH.  Then Germany’s Johanna Beckmann used her final draw to slip between the two, Queen Frieda 0.08 second off the winning time for second.  

Lauren was nevertheless pleased with Gait L: “He’s very naturally quick, has a very big heart and always tries to jump clear.  I know him well now as we bought him from Shane Breen two and half years ago; he said he was the horse for Junior classes and he was right, it was a very good buy.”

Spruce Meadows Young Riders Grand Prix – Zuidwolde, The Netherlands – 2 June 2024

1st Evelyne Putters (BRL) & Oberon VDH – 0/0 - 43.75
2nd Johanna Beckmann (GER) & Queen Frieda – 0/0 - 43.83
3rd Lauren Caroline (GBR) & Gait L – 0/0 - 43.95

 

Olivia Sponer takes third in the Zuidwolde Junior Grand Prix 

Olivia Sponer took a podium place in the Junior Grand Prix at the Youth Spring Tour in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, with Equine America Bingo Du Chateau.

A big entry of 75 competitors came forward over the 12-fence 1.40m track with 14 making their way into the jump-off.  Two riders represented Great Britain in the test against the clock, but both were drawn early and had no option but to set out to post a fast target.  Both were caught out by the same fence.

Olivia – already a double winner in 1.40m and 1.35m classes aboard Crazy Girl – provided the fastest time of the class, and for more than half the jump-off, she led the way.  The only mistake in an otherwise well-executed round came at the white vertical two from home, the Quaprice Bois Margot 13-year-old Bingo Du Chateau clipping the top pole. 

“It was difficult going early with 14 in the jump-off, we thought we’d have to be very quick and didn’t think there would only be two clears in the end, but to be the fastest four-faulter was a good result and I’m happy,” said Olivia. 

Bingo only joined Olivia in September.

“It’s taken time [to get to know him], he pretends to be grumpy in the stable but he’s quite cuddly and, although he took some figuring out, he’s a sweetheart and tries really hard for me,” added Olivia.  “The Grand Prix was a bigger track than the rest of the week and there was quite a lot of jumping with the first day, the Nations Cup and Grand Prix but it was a good way to see how fit he is, and he stepped up to it well.” 

Noora von Bulow’s hopes also ended at the white vertical in the opening round, Interstar B eventually dropping down to eighth.

The final effort of Spain’s Olivia Alvarez Garcia on the scopey Cartouche claimed victory, more than a second slower than Olivia Sponer but with that all important clear, while Italy’s Guilia Gatti Bardelli returned a steadier clear for second on Halos Kintos.

Junior Grand Prix – Zuidwolde, The Netherlands – 2 June 2024

1st Olivia Alvarez Garcia (ESP) & Cartouche – 0/0 - 37.91
2nd Guilia Gatti Bardelli (ITA) & Halos Kintos – 0/0 - 41.14
3rd Olivia Sponer (GBR) & Equine America Bingo Du Chateau – 0/4 - 36.82  

 

Emily Gulliver claims third place with Fleur Du Nuit 8 in the De Wolden Pony Grand Prix

Emily Gulliver gained an early lead in the Pony Grand Prix in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, with the super-careful Fleur De Nuit 8, eventually taking third place. 

“The jump-off was quite twisty, but it did give you space to let the ponies run, especially to the last, and I went on a big stride,” said Emily.  “She is so amazingly careful, I can trust her and know she will get her legs out of the way.”

Swedish riders proved too quick at the De Wolden Youth Meeting, but nonetheless, Brits claimed three of the top five places.  Forty-five hopefuls initially bid for victory over a 12-fence 1.30m track with 14 gaining access to the jump-off – six of them representing Great Britain.  But Sweden set an early – and what proved to be unassailable target – from second draw in the form of Mathilda Hansson on Helga Th.O. 

It became a matter of who dares, wins, as every rider followed a similar track, a couple of tight turns the only options followed by a gallop to the final two fences.  Ella Spencer was the first up for Britain and opted for a sensible pace to slip the eight-year-old Gilton Des Islots into an early second.  She was soon relegated by the second Swede, Selma Gustafsson Thelin aboard Barravalley Shadow, and dropped down to an eventual fourth place.

Emily gave a good account of herself on the nine-year-old mare Fleur De Nuit 8 (For Pleasure x Quick Star) to slot into third.

“She’s very friendly but can get excited and buzzy and she’s very focused in the ring; she loves jumping and loves her job.  She jumped clear all week here; she hates hitting a pole and gets angry with herself and bucks – luckily, that isn’t very often,” added Emily, who didn’t rest on her laurels.

She raced back to England to contend the STX-UK Pony Foxhunter Second Round at South View Equestrian Centre Pony Premier and finished equal first with double clears on two ponies, Lucky Choice 1 and Renkum Kick Start, alongside Alfie Diaper with PJV Bella to qualify for HOYS. 

Lucy Capper used her final draw to slip the 14-year-old stallion Oscar Van De Beekerheide, winner of an earlier 1.30m speed, into fifth in the Zuidwolde Grand Prix while Hollie Gerken also jumped Galaxy V into a double clear for seventh spot.

Pony Grand Prix – Zuidowolde, The Netherlands – 1 June 2024

1st Mathilda Hansson (SWE) & Helga Th.O. – 0/0 - 34.60
2nd Selma Gustafsson Thelin (SWE) & Barravalley Shadow – 0/0 - 35.01
3rd Emily Gulliver (GBR) & Fleur Du Nuit 8 – 0/0 - 35.44
4th Ella Spencer (GBR) & Gilton Des Islots – 0/0 - 38.21
5th Lucy Capper (GBR) & Oscar Van De Beekerheide – 0/0 - 38.49  

 

Images: Hans Khoe

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