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 crew that narrowly missed out on a spot on the rostrum, ending fourth on a crew rating of 212.17 – three factors behind Sweden in third.
The junior crew 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 crew rating of 212.51.
The Germans received each the horse and junior crew gold medals and the Netherlands triumphed within the children-on-horses crew competitors – for which Britain didn’t enter a crew.
The British riders and supporters on the FEI European Dressage Championships for kids, juniors and ponies opening ceremony in Opglabbeek, Belgium. Credit score: Pegasus Pictures.
It was a wonderful setting in Belgium, and regardless of the troublesome state of affairs 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. “Beneath possibly not the best 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 yr, and Myles was actually robust amongst highly regarded competitors,” added Nina. “Ella’s children-on-horses medal hopefully conjures up different riders in that age class that it may be finished.”
“He felt unbelievable”: Abigail Grey on George Clooney BS
It’s been a outstanding rise to the highest for Abigail, from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, who instructed H&H in 2019 – when she was solely 10 years previous – that she was aiming for crew choice in the future.
She and George Clooney BS (Caesar 171 x Santano) headed the 53-strong area within the crew take a look at and, regardless of a private greatest rating of 75.32%, have been second behind German mixture Madlin Tillmann and Chilly Morning WE within the particular person competitors.
However the pair have been clear winners within the freestyle on one other private greatest rating of 80.1%.
“George was a bit excited at first, however by the final day he was extra relaxed and he felt unbelievable,” Abigail mentioned. “It was wonderful to listen to our scores on the finish of every take a look at and to grasp 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 a great 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 bettering scores to hit the jackpot within the particular person.
Kids-on-horses gold medallists Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson. Credit score: Pegasus Pictures.
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 – the very best dancing companion 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% take a look at to win on the ultimate day.
“I knew it was going to be a great rating, as Jackson was so smooth, however I had no thought it was so huge. Truthfully, I used to be crying. It hasn’t but sunk in.”
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