Great Britain Strikes Gold at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies
Friday 01 August 2025
It was a thrilling and hard-fought victory for Team Great Britain at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies, held at the prestigious Pôle Européen du Cheval in Le Mans, France. After a week of high-stakes competition, the British squad clinched Team Gold in dramatic fashion, triumphing over Ireland in a tense jump-off.
The gold-medal winning team was made up of Darcy Breen riding One Saharah (owned by Breen Equestrian Ltd), Lucy Capper with Oscar Van De Beekerheide (owned by Nicola and Robert Capper), Hollie Gerken on Galaxy V (owned by Jade Gerken), Nellie Lock aboard Catho Van De Langvelden Z (owned by Dulcie Chambers), and Sophia Rogers with Neil 55 (owned by Nicola Rogers). The squad was expertly led by Chef d’Équipe Clare Whitaker.
The competition could not have been closer. After the initial rounds, both Great Britain and Ireland stood neck and neck on zero faults, forcing a high-pressure team jump-off to decide the champions. Belgium also remained in close contention on just four faults.
The jump-off began with Ireland’s Ruben Foley setting the bar high with a speedy clear in 40.24 seconds. Hollie Gerken, clear until the final fence, picked up four faults, giving Ireland an early advantage. But Darcy Breen followed with a brilliant clear in 40.59 seconds, keeping Britain in the running.
Nellie Lock delivered a crucial clear round, choosing accuracy over speed with a time over 44 seconds, keeping Britain’s hopes alive. With Ireland faltering under pressure as Lily Tunney knocked a plank, it was left to Sophia Rogers to bring it home. Rising to the occasion, she produced a cool, controlled clear to secure Team Great Britain’s gold medal.
This victory adds another prestigious title to Britain’s youth jumping legacy and highlights the depth of talent across the pony ranks. Congratulations to all involved on an exceptional achievement!
Focus for Great Britain’s jumpers now switches to the individual competition, where further medals are potentially on the horizon.
Thank you to Coldstream Equestrian who are kindly supporting the British Showjumping Pony teams with their Show Jackets.
FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies
Le Mans, France – 1st August
1st Great Britain – 0 Points
Hollie Gerken – (4)/0/(4)/(4)
Darcy Breen – 0/0/0/0
Nellie Lock – 0/0/0/0
Sophia Rogers – 0/0/0/0
2nd Ireland – 4 penalty points
3rd Belgium – 4 penalty points
Image: FEI/Libby Law Photography
