Nice Britain received double gold in an exciting showdown on the pony, junior and children-on-horses European Championships in Opglabbeek, Belgium, as pony rider Abigail Grey scored an emphatic freestyle victory with George Clooney BS and Ella-Grace Dovey – on her championship debut – exceeded expectations to make Britain’s first-ever children-on-horses medal a gold one with Sheepcote Jackson.
Alongside her teammates Darcey Blaze Marcus (Ella), Evie Head (WS Jackson), and Sofia Video games (Steendieks Cadillac), Abigail was additionally a part of the horse workforce that narrowly missed out on a spot on the rostrum, ending fourth on a workforce rating of 212.17 – three factors behind Sweden in third.
The junior workforce of Mette Dahl (Fidelio Van Het Bloemenhof), Ruby Hughes (Brioso), Isla Sully (Vagabond De Massa) and Myles Graham (Nibeley Union Hit) additionally completed agonisingly near the rostrum in fourth on a workforce rating of 212.51.
The Germans received each the horse and junior workforce gold medals and the Netherlands triumphed within the children-on-horses workforce competitors – for which Britain didn’t enter a workforce.
The British riders and supporters on the FEI European Dressage Championships for youngsters, juniors and ponies opening ceremony in Opglabbeek, Belgium. Credit score: Pegasus Images.
It was a superb surroundings in Belgium, and regardless of the troublesome scenario British dressage has discovered itself in following the suspension of Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s subsequent era radiated positivity and optimism.
“I’m proud of all of them,” mentioned chef d’equipe Nina Boex. “Below possibly not the simplest of circumstances, they carried out themselves in an exemplary method.
“It was essential that they got here not just for the expertise but in addition for the chance, they usually proved that they’re the subsequent era.
“Abigail was able to set down what she might this time, after a style of issues on the Europeans final 12 months, and Myles was actually sturdy amongst very popular competitors,” added Nina. “Ella’s children-on-horses medal hopefully evokes different riders in that age class that it may be executed.”
“He felt unimaginable”: Abigail Grey on George Clooney BS
It’s been a outstanding rise to the highest for Abigail, from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, who informed H&H in 2019 – when she was solely 10 years outdated – that she was aiming for workforce choice someday.
She and George Clooney BS (Caesar 171 x Santano) headed the 53-strong subject within the workforce check and, regardless of a private finest rating of 75.32%, had been second behind German mixture Madlin Tillmann and Chilly Morning WE within the particular person competitors.
However the pair had been clear winners within the freestyle on one other private finest rating of 80.1%.
“George was a bit excited at first, however by the final day he was extra relaxed and he felt unimaginable,” Abigail mentioned. “It was wonderful to listen to our scores on the finish of every check and to understand that I’d achieved private bests in all three.
“Our freestyle canter is to Scottish music, which was emotional, as that’s the place I’m from,” added Abigail, the primary British pony rider to take a European championship title since Phoebe Peters’ success in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
“Our first canter down the centre line was good, with counter canter circles – that was a spotlight. George is such a showman. I hoped it could get an excellent rating and a medal.”
Historic gold medal for Ella-Grace Dovey and Nice Britain
Ella-Grace, making her European championships debut as Britain’s solely children-on-horses contestant, rose to the problem with Sheepcote Jackson – constructing on enhancing scores to hit the jackpot within the particular person.
Youngsters-on-horses gold medallists Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson. Credit score: Pegasus Images.
The truth that Britain’s first-ever medal within the division was gold was all of the extra outstanding provided that horse and rider joined forces simply months in the past.
“Jackson is a delight – one of the best dancing associate doable,” Ella-Grace mentioned of the 11-year-old Johnson-sired gelding, owned and bred by David and Serena Pincus.
“I used to be aiming for a medal however didn’t suppose I might do it, as our partnership is so new,” added Ella-Grace, who had been positioned twelfth after which ninth earlier than producing a 79.7% check to win on the ultimate day.
“I knew it was going to be an excellent rating, as Jackson was so gentle, however I had no concept it was so large. Truthfully, I used to be crying. It hasn’t but sunk in.”
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