Young Brits bring home medals at Europeans

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Britain has won two golds and one silver at the FEIYoungRiderEuropeanChampionshipsin Strzegom, Poland(27 – 30 August).

Convincing performance

It was a convincing performance from Will Furlong, Ella Hitchman, Isabella Innes Ker and Emily King, who led from the start to finish on a score of 121.90pen. Germany was more than 10pen behind to win team silver (132.40pen), while Ireland took bronze (150.80pen).

All British team members went clear on the cross-country and three of them went on to jump clear in the showjumping. Emily had an unfortunate three down, which meant she provided the drop score.

“We have been unlucky in the past, so to lead from the start and have everything come together as it did is just fantastic,” said chairman of the Askham Bryan GBYoungRiderselection committee, Alex Colquhoun.

Held her nerve

Will also took the individual gold titleridinghis own Livingstone II. The 20-year-old completed on a score of 34.7pen, adding just two cross-country time penalties to his dressage score to become first British male to win gold at the YoungRiderEuropeans since 1993.

Sophie Beaty, who was riding as an individual, won silver. This was her first time competing on the YoungRider squad, but she held her nerve going into the showjumping to jump clear and finish on 39.10pen.

Germany’s Christoph Wahler won individual bronze riding Green Mount Flight (42.50pen). Just behind him was Ella Hitchman who rose from 12th place after the dressage to finish fourth (45.2pen).

Ella rode an impressive clear on the cross-country, inside the time, with Rocky Rockstar and also jumped clear in the showjumping.

Incredibly proud

Also finishing in the top ten was Bella Innes Ker who jumped a double clear to finish in eighth place on Carolyn (48.2pen).

“We are all so incredibly proud of ourridersand horses this week, everyone gelled so well and worked well together as a team,” said Alex. “From theridersto the parents to the staff – everyone has contributed so much and we could not be more delighted with the result.”