The final trials of show jumping at the FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders and Juniors in Strzegom were action-packed, and seconds decided on the podium places.
Great Britain scored gold both in the team and individual classification in the young rider category, and Germany went double gold in the junior category.
Young Riders
Four seconds over the time today in the showjumping took away the leading position from Lisa Gualtieri riding A D’Aunis, and the French had to settle for silver with 26,7.
The gold, after a clear round, went to Great Britain’s Jasmine Underwood riding Indian Girl G – 26,4, and the bronze to her teammate Isabelle Cook with Mexican Law – 27,5. These results helped the British team win the team classification, advancing from third after the cross-country – 93,3. Darcy Zander with My Eastwood Brightside and Joshua Levett riding This Ones On You also stood at the highest step of the podium.
- It was a very challenging weekend, but I wouldn't have been able to win if it wasn't for my wonderful horse. I am proud that we can work together,” said Jasmine Underwood right after the win.
The team silver went to France: Lucas Brun with Anapurna De Soulac, Valentin Quittet Eslan with Casanova D'ems, Alizee Bourgue with Cesar Des Hauts Crets and Lisa Gualtieri with A D'aunis, – 94,9.
Germany finished with the bronze medal, with 98,2: Zoe Deusing and Alemania, Isabel Kristin Dalecki with Caruso Jh, Emely Kurbel and Entertain You and the best one on the team - Mathies Rüder with Bon Ton – 98,2.
Polish riders: Zuzanna Borkowska with Gracja, Katarzyna Brandys with Sel Oscar and Weronika Król riding Chinuk R with a score of 227.2 penalty points took the fifth place among the 10 competing teams. The latter was the highest-ranked home athlete – 11th position, the final result being 35,0.
Juniors
It was Germany who went all clear on today’s showjumping course – a thing that the Irish, who were in the lead after the cross-country, failed to achieve today. And it was the Germans who are the new European team champions with 91,1.
Hannah Busch with Crystal-Annabell went up from fourth place after the XC to the first step of the podium - 27.7.
– I felt a lot of pressure before today's performance, but I tried to relax, calm down and enjoy the competition with my horse, because this is a special event for me. I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful team, whose support I can always count on,” said the new European champion. Her teammates were Mathis Huisinga and Carlotta, Pita Schmid and Favorita V and Matti Garlichs and Ludwig 282.
The individual silver went to Irishman Tom Nestor with Cooley Diamond Dancer – 29,9. The rider was in the lead after the second trial, suffered a knockdown and 0,4 for time today and had to say goodbye to his dreams about the gold medal.
Mae Rinaldi from France took home the bronze riding Kirwan – 30,2. A clear jumping round made them advance from 7th overnight.
The team silver medalists are the Irish: Matthew Love and DSL Allegra, Oleana Cowan and Rca Royal Mist, Alex Connors riding Ols King Aragon and the best of the team: Tom Nestor and Cooley Diamond Dancer – 94.9.
Team bronze went to Great Britain: Coco Lanni and Porsche, Martha Hall and Kbis Starburst, Araminta Spencer-Churchill with Neds Legacy and Pippa Royle riding My Dream HJ – 100.4.
The home nation of Poland finished in 6th out of 13 competing teams. The best result on the team belongs to Karolina Miś with Go Jack – with a double clear on the XC and jumping, she placed 6th individually with 31,6.
Photo: Leszek Wójcik
