The showjumping team final of the Pony European Championships in Strzegom certainly delivered an amazing spectacle.
The course, designed by Poland’s Szymon Tarant, proved to be fair, but selective. The pony riders showed that they really are the future of the sport, and especially brilliant were the Irish squad members of: Coen Williams and Saxton Freedam (0/0), Paddy Reape and Valma de Fougnard (4/8), James Brennan and MHS Glow (0/0), James Derwin riding Rincoola Babog (0/0) and Eoin Brennan with Glor Tire Cruise. They were the only team to finish on a zero-penalty score and did not break under pressure to secure the gold medal.
“It was a very good course, difficult enough, and we’re just delighted to win!” – said James Brennan.
“Today is amazing. They made the job very easy for me, because they were already friends and they grew up together, so it was very easy to pick them, they work together well. It is a great feeling when everybody, including the parents and team members, come together. Sometimes it doesn’t happen that way, but this year it did.” – said the Irish Chef d’Equipe – Gary Marshall.
Silver, with a collective result of 4 penalties, went to France: Emma Gay Le Breton aboard Bad Boy du Beau Mont (0/0), Lou Ann Beraud with Ungaro Of Qofanny (4/0), Jack Conlon Gateau and Samba van de Groenheuvel (16/16), Nohlan Vallat with Daenerys D’Hurl’Vent (0/0) and fifth rider Arwen Le Saux with All Best du Rond PRE.
The Netherlands topped off the podium, with Yfke Priem ridng Zafarano VH Gehucht Z (4/0), Ava Eden Van Grunsven with Special Lady (0/12), Jersey Kuijpers and Lafaletta (8/0), Siebe Leemans with Noriego VD Riloo (8/0) and Bethany Vos riding Still Got Me finishing with 12 penalties.
Eventing
The eventing dressage trials have ended today, the first part of the equestrian triathlon. With the result of 86,8 the pole position belongs to France, second – to Germany, with 87,6, and third to Great Britain, on a score of 91,6.
The individual leader is the defender of the championship title – French athlete Mae Rinaldi with Boston Du Verdon, with 25,6. Her teammate ekipy Zoe Ballot with Voltair De Lalande lies in second with 26,1, and third is now Germany’s Merle Hoffmann with Penny Lane WE – 27,0.
Showjumping – team medalists:
1. Irleland - 0
Coen Williams, SAXTON FREEDAM
Paddy Reape, VALMA DE FOUGNARD
James Brennan, MHS GLOW
James Derwin, RINCOOLA BABOG
Eoin Brennan, GLOR TIRE CRUISE
2. France - 4
Emma Gay Le Breton, BAD BOY DU BEAU MONT
Lou Ann Beraud, UNGARO OF QOFANNY
Jack Conlon Gateau, SAMBA VAN DE GROENHEUVEL
Nohlan Vallat, DAENERYS D'HURL'VENT
Arwen Le Saux, ALL BEST DU ROND PRE
3. The Netherlands - 12
Yfke Priem, ZAFARANO VH GEHUCHT Z
Ava Eden Van Grunsven, SPECIAL LADY
Jersey Kuijpers, LAFALETTA
Siebe Leemans, NORIEGO VD RILOO
Bethany Vos, STILL GOT ME
