GB Pony Team 2nd in Opglabbeek Nations Cup
Friday 27 May 2016
The British Pony Team came 2nd after a three-way jump-off with France and Ireland for 1st place in Opglabbeek, Belgium this morning.
The team of four representing GB along with those representing France and Ireland had all finished on a score of zero penalties after both rounds had been jumped. This meant that a three-way jump off would be required where three of each team of four riders scores and cumulative times would be taken into account.
Jack Whitaker (14 years) from Whatton, Nottinghamshire with Elando Van De Roshoeve a 12 year-old bay gelding owned by Michael Whitaker took the role of pathfinder for the team. His jump-off round mirrored those of his first two in that he jumped a foot-perfect clear in what proved to be the fastest time overall in the jump off of 32.99 seconds.
Antonia Platt (14 years) from Chelmsford, Essex with the 10 year-old bay gelding Carnhill Luna owned by Rosalind Platt, second to go for the team, also delivered two clears in both rounds before delivering a 3rd in the jump-off in a time of 36.60 seconds.
Madison Jamison (15 years) from Knuzden, Blackburn with Eclips VI a 12 year-old bay gelding owned by Nicola Jamison incurred an unfortunate 4 penalties in the jump-off in a time of 41.16 seconds in what had otherwise been a faultless performance across both previous rounds.
Robert Murphy (16 years) from Preston, Lancashire with Rainbows Mocha a 10 year-old brown mare owned by Hans Jacobosen wasn’t quite as lucky incurring 4 penalties in the first round to become the dropscore before delivering a perfect clear in the second round. The jump-off saw them pick up 8 penalties on the course in a time of 36.11 seconds to become the drop score.
This saw the Brits finish on a total of 4 penalties overall with a cumulative time of 110.75 seconds. France, who had also finished on 4 penalties just pipped GB to the post with their time of 104.68 seconds to take pole position whilst Ireland were relegated to 3rd place with their 8 penalty finish which they had picked up in the 3rd and final round.
Matt Lanni, Chef d’Equipe for the ponies commented “I’m very pleased with the riders performances today at their first nations cup show of the season. They were outstanding to finish the two rounds on a zero score and it was very close finish with just time being the deciding factor”.
Further information on the show, and full results can be found by visiting www.sentowerpark.com.
British Showjumping would like to thank their consortium of Business Partners who assist in supporting the Youth Squads.
The British Jumping teams are also supported by the Equestrian World Class Programme. The programme, which encompasses both Podium and Podium Potential squads, focuses on identifying talent, developing potential and maximising medal winning performances on the world stage. The Programme has been funded by the National Lottery via UK Sport since 1998 and is a portfolio within the British Equestrian Federation.
