Young Brits gather medals at Europeans

As the showjumping gets underway at the Europeans in Aachen, British young riders have already been collecting medals at their respective championships.

Defending champions

Competing in the European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders in Austria, Britain has won two silver and two bronze medals.

In the Junior team competition, Britain were the defending champions but lost their title to Germany. The team then had to ride against Ireland in the jump-off for the two remaining medals.

Pathfinder Faye Adams (Zozo CL) jumped clear, while Harry Charles (Vivaldi du Dom) – son of Olympic team gold medallist Peter Charles – had one down, as did Robert Murphy (Del Fuego).

This put them in bronze position and Ireland in silver. With the medals decided, 2014 team gold medallist Millie Allen (Balou Star) didn’t have to ride again.

However, Millie won individual bronze, behind teammate Harry Charles in silver. The individual Junior title went to France’s Camille Conde Ferreira.

Children’s event

In the Children’s competition, riders carried their results from the first individual qualifier into team event.

Britain, Italy and France shared the lead at the start on a zero score. Germany was just behind them with one time fault and when all four riders went clear in round two, it was enough for them to clinch gold.

British took silver after India Bussey (Westwinds Ego), Hallie Lunn (Brookwood Supersonic), Oliver Fletcher (Little Business) and Lottie Tutt (Babylon) completed with four faults. Poland was just behind them on five faults to win bronze.

Near miss

Britain narrowly missed out on a fifth medal in the Young Riders competition. Belgium won gold, leaving Britain, Ireland and Germany to battle it out for silver and bronze with eight faults each.

The medals were decided on time, when all three nations went clear again. Britain wasn’t quite fast enough, leaving Germany with silver and Ireland with bronze.

Eventing Championships

Britain has also won team bronze in theFEI European Eventing Championships for Juniors 2015 at Bialy Bor in Poland.

Germany claimed three of the six medals on offer, winning individual gold and bronze as well as the team title.

Britain did well to medal, after Sam Ecroyd fell on the cross-country riding Opera House. Alex Kennedy (Chocolate Domino) was the highest placed Brit in seventh place on 46.50pen, Charlotte Bacon (Sannanvalley Justice) finished 18th on 58.50pen and Charlotte East (Clear Dawn) was 33rd with 70.90pen.

Their total of 176.00pen was enough to win bronze, behind France in silver position (166.40pen) and gold going to the Germans yet again (137.50pen).

Full showjumping results

Young Rider Team Championship:

GOLD: Belgium 0 faults

SILVER: Germany 8 faults

BRONZE: Ireland 8 faults

Young Rider Individual Championship:

GOLD: Ebba Larsson (Waterford) SWE

SILVER: Kaya Luthi (Pret a Tout) GER

BRONZE: Guido Klatte (Qinghai) GER

Junior Team Championship:

GOLD: Germany 8 faults

SILVER: Ireland 12 faults

BRONZE: Great Britain 20 faults

Junior Individual Championship

GOLD: Camille Conde Ferreira (Pirole de la Chatre) FRA

SILVER: Harry Charles (Vivaldi du Dom) GBR

BRONZE: Millie Allen (Balou Star) GBR

Children’s Team Championship

GOLD: Germany 1 fault

SILVER: Great Britain 4 faults

BRONZE: Poland 5 faults

Children’s Individual Championship

GOLD: Jennifer Kuehnle (Chaitanya 2) IRL

SILVER: Calvin Bockmann (Carvella Z)

BRONZE: Piet Menke (Cesha Old) GER