Team GB in Gold Medal position after cross country

After an exciting day on the cross country course, the Charles Owen British Pony team lie in the gold medal position going in to the final show jumping tomorrow.
As expected Eric Winter’s brand new cross country really tested the riders and had them thinking all the way round. Most of the long routes were used especially at the double of corners at 12, the triple downhill combination at 14 and the ditch/skinny combination at 17.

Six superb clear rounds from all the British riders have catapulted them into the lead. They sit on a team score of 150.1 some 36.3 marks ahead of their nearest rivals Germany who finish on 186.4. The Belgians complete the top three finishing on 188.5.

Pony team Chef d’Equipe Ginnie Keen was thrilled with her team’s performance.

She said: “Every single one of them was amazing and team coach Jonquil Hemming is equally delighted.

“Team orders were that whatever route they chose was the way they were going and every single one of them has done brilliantly.

“Every single rider has been a tremendous support to one another. They are a true team in every sense.”

Grace Walker and Noble Springbok took second place cross country – holding on to their dressage score of 46.9 after going clear.

Grace was delighted with the pony’s performance. She said: “He (Noble Springbok) was insane. It was amazing, he was so good.

“I went all the direct routes, I hadn’t been told not to so I stuck with my plan.”

1st GBR 150.1
2nd GER 186.4
3rd BEL 188.5

Individually Great Britain has 5 riders in the top 8

1st Marissa Braig 44.5 GER
2nd Grace Walker 46.9 GBR
3rd Sarah O’Brien 51.0 IRL
4th Sophie Beaty 51.3 GBR
5th Alfie Bradstock 51.9 GBR
6th Flora Reemtsma 52.4 GER
7th Sam Ecroyd 53.1 GBR
8th Sophie How 54.0 GBR

12th Harry Humfrey 60.8 GBR

The ponies trot up at 7am tomorrow morning, before the jumping starts at 10am.

Cross Country - the fences

Take a look at the more 'interesting' fences that will pose a few questions for our competitors today.

9 A&B

12 A, B &C

12 A&B

4 A&B

4 A & B

What's in store for the eventers today...?

Saturday sees a dressage consolation competition and more CSIP jumping, but the main event of the day is cross country.

Eric Winter’s brand new cross country has certainly got the riders from all nations talking. This is a true Championship track and will need to be ridden from start to finish to ensure that all-important clear round.

The first three fences are straightforward to get the ponies in to a rhythm and get their confidence. The first question comes at fence four, where two angled flower tubs on a forward stride will be a test of accuracy early on.

Having already been through the water at fence six, the second water at nine will certainly ask a lot more of the ponies and riders. It requires bold riding over the hedge into the water, and then acuracy to the skinny hedge in the water.

The second real test of accuracy is at the double of corners at fence 12, the riders will have to be able to show that they can keep the ponies straight to the first and then execute the turn to the second.

The final big test comes at 14, where a three past combination fence down hill culmination in a skinny will test the riders control.

On the whole this is a great technical track. The long routes are long and should produce an exciting competition.

Another victory for Germany in the Team Show Jumping competition

Friday was definitely Germany's day after they went into the weekend with golds in the Individual Dressage and Team Show Jumping.

In true Teutonic style, the German Chef d'Equipe was on the receiving end of his team's jubilation and ended up taking an early bath in Mark McGowan's water jump, which he took in extremely good spirits. Much to the delight of the crowds.

This is the first time in almost two decades that the Germans have taken a jumping gold and they were thrilled with the results.

The Chef d'Equipe said: "I'm very proud. It's been 19 years since the last gold medal and the team did a very good job. Today I am very proud and we are hoping for a bit of luck for Sunday (Individual Show Jumping Competition)."

In silver medal position, the Irish team were equally jubilant. Particularly as Bertram Allen topped the leaderboard.

Chef d'Equipe Ian Fearon was full of praise for his young athletes.

He said: "You can see the talent we have here. We have to work very hard producing these ponies and we have worked with some of the best trainers and coaches to get here. It's an under statement to say I'm proud."

Taking bronze was Team Belgium.

Team GB finished fifth, with great clear rounds from Amy Inglis and Emily Roe. British Showjumping Chairman of Performance Development Clare Whitaker said:

"It was a little bit unlucky and things don't always go the way you plan, but we have two great riders for the future in Amy and Emily who both jumped great second rounds."

President's Prize Awarded for Friday

Friday's President's Prize went to Irish jumper Bertram Allen, who co-incidentally took top spot in today's show jumping competition.

Well done Bertram!!

Germany victorious in individual dressage

Yesterday German dressage Ched d'Equipe Connie Endres said she would come out fighting in the Individual Dressage competition, and fight they did, with 13-year-old Jessica Kreig and Danilo scoring a personal best of 76.73 to take gold.

In a reversal of yesterday's team results, the Netherlands secured silver after a polished performance by Antoinette Te Riele aboard Golden Girl.

Team Germany also secured the third place on the podium after Lena Charlott Walterscheidt aboard Deinhard B came in on 74.68.

Endres was delighted with the her girls' efforts.

She said: "I'm very pleased with the girls. We said yesterday we would fight, and we did.

"I also wanted to hear my favourite song - the German National Anthem. These are my two youngest riders and it is their first International competition so it is very special."

Kreig was overwhelmed with her win.

"He (Danilo) worked very well," she said. "He is not an easy ride, but he was very nice to ride today."

Team GB's Claire Gallimore finished a respectable fifth aboard Gigolo, while team newcomer 12-year-old Erin Williams earned her place in Sunday's Kur being placed 16th with Danny Boy B.

York's Charlotte Gill came 24th aboard Ferrari.

Watch the Pony Europeans live!!

For UK viewers - live Championships footage can now be accessed on the Championships website. Click on the 'results' tab and then select 'live tv'.

Apologies to our European viewers - we only have broadcast rights in the UK. Keep checking FEI TV and satellite channels as hopefully the footage will be on there soon.

Great Britain in Second Place after Individual Eventing Dressage Competition

Sophie How and HotShots put in a great performance

After the second day of eventing dressage Team GB have taken second place with a score of 145.7.

Team Germany are currently residing at the top of the leaderboard with a 13.1 penalty head start, with Italy in bronze medal position on a score of 147.0.

Strong performances from Grace Walker and Noble Springbok and Alfie Bradstock and Montezuma II yesterday put the home team in first place overnight, with tests due on Friday from Sam Ecroyd and the Sophies Beaty and How.

A great performance from Sophie Beaty who matched Walker's score of 46.9, took Team GB to second place going into tomorrow's cross country.

Team coach Jonquil Hemming was delighted with the team's efforts.

She said: "I'm thrilled to bits with team's performance. Over the last four years we have really upped our dressage game and it's shown today.

"We're really looking forward to tomorrow but our plans are a little bit up in the air as it's one of the toughest tracks we've ever seen, so we'll need plan A, plan B and maybe plan C."

GB Individual Scores as follows:

Sophie How and HotShots - 44.0
Harry Humfrey and Tantany Torch - 57.2

GB Team Scores as follows:

Sophie Beaty and Done and Dusted VI - 46.9
Grace Walker and Noble Springbok - 46.9
Alfie Bradstock and Montezuma II - 51.9
Sam Ecroyd and Catherston Nutsafe - 53.1

Eventing Dressage start list - Day 2

Find the eventing dressage start lists for Friday 30th July here

Dressage Start Lists

Find the dressage start list for Friday 30th July here

Jumping gets underway at the Pony Europeans

Mark McGowan's superb course provided plenty of entertainment for the crowds - Belgium's Julie De Pelsmaeker and Sambo Lino make it look easy..

The show jumping kicked off in style today with the Individual Qualifiers.

The top spot was taken by Ireland's Bertram Allen aboard eight-year-old bay mare Acapella Z. The pair finished on a time of 78.49 with no faults.

The leaders were followed by Jessica Vinter Jensen of Denmark with Nikolina who went round Mark McGowan's challenging course in a time of 79.60, again with no faults.

Third place went to Ireland's Emma O'Dwyer aboard Kalim De Montlieu who finished on a time of 79.85, with no faults. Just 0.25 of a second behind Vinter Jensen.

Highest placed Britsh competitor is 13-year-old Amy Inglis from West Sussex and nine-year-old gelding Nils D'Hurl Vent, who took fifth with a time of 82.31 and no faults. Fellow Brit Jessica Mendoza (14) and Tixylix went round in 83.47 to take 11th.

13-year-old Emily Roe of Lincoln settled for 33rd on grey gelding Aroldo - the pair ended with five faults and a time of 89.08, while Roe's teammate Lara Whiteway found herself towards the bottom of the leaderboard at 38th with a time of 85.88 and eight faults.

British Eventing Team give their opinion on a very successful day

Grace Walker and Noble Springbok top the leaderboard overnight

The British eventing team gave their opinion on what has turned out to be a very successful day's dressage.

Veteran pony campaigner Noble Springbok and Grace Walker are currently at the top of the leaderboard on a score of 46.90, with Alfie Bradstock and Harry Humfrey in fifth and eighth respectively.

Grace admitted she felt a little bit of pressure going into the arena.

She said: "I'm very pleased with the result. I definitely felt better when I was in there - I was quite nervous beforehand.

It was a little bit daunting to be on Spring, I focused and it felt just like a normal test."

All of the riders felt the cross country course looked sure to deliver a true championship experience and that it looked "pretty difficult".

Chef d'Equipe of the Charles Owen Great Britain Pony Team Ginnie Keen was delighted with the day's performances.

"They have done superbly well," said Ginnie. "They all got the best out of their tests. What Alfie did with Monty was spectacular, and Grace was amazing under such pressure. And Harry had the best test he's ever done.

"They are a truly great team."

President's Prizewinner Announced for Thursday

German dressage rider Lena Charlott Waltershedt was the lucky athlete who took the President's eye today. Lena and her pony Deinhard B scored an impressive 70.33 and her efforts helped the German team into the silver medal position.

Well done Lena!!

Competitor Lists

Download the full competitor list here

GB Take fourth place in Team Dressage

Charlotte Gill and Ferrari

The British team took fourth place in the Team Dressage competition with a score of 202.66 - missing out on bronze by just 4% across three riders.

A sparkling performance this morning from Team GB debutante Erin Williams (12) and Danny Boy B (69.55), and a solid performance from Claire Gallimore and Gigolo, who ended on a score of 68.61 despite a slip-up, took Team GB from seventh overnight, to fourth.

Chef d'Equipe Liz Mills was philosophical about the team's performance.

She said: "It's frustrating, but they all rode well and they are a great team."

Erin Williams thoroughly enjoyed her test.

"I really enjoyed it," she said. "I thought I'd be nervous, but when I got in there I just thought 'get in!'."

The top 25 combinations, including three British riders, will go through to Friday’s individual competition which promises to be hotly contested. All the riders will revert to zero scores.

Dutch team clinch first gold of Pony Championships

The first medal of the FEI European Pony Championships 2010 went to the Netherlands for the team dressage competition with a final score of 221.22.

It was a closely fought contest right to the end with Germany taking silver on 219 and Denmark narrowly squeezing Great Britain into fourth to take the bronze medal with a score of 206.22.
The German team have been unbeaten at this level for some 20 years and a delighted Dutch chef d’equipe Tinkeke Bartles commented: "We are really happy, this group of riders have been fighting for gold for a number of years and for three of the riders this is their last year at this level so it is very special."

Chef d’equipe for the German team Cornelia Endres was still pleased with her team performance "We are not disappointed – we may not have been the best this year but I’m sure we have been the nicest! This is a new situation for us but I am sure we will survive. We have a mixed team with two promising new riders and we were unlucky to lose one of our best combinations the day before we flew over here."

Germany’s Jessica Krieg with Danilo topped the individual table with a score of 75.50% followed by Dutch riders Maria Van Den Dungen on Rembrandt DDH in second on 74.22% and Antoinette Te Riele on Golden Girl in third on 74.17%.

The top 25 combinations, including three British riders, will go through to Friday’s individual competition which promises to be hotly contested. All the riders will revert to zero scores.

First President's Prize Awarded

President's Prize awarded to Italian team Dressage Rider Chiara Prijs Vitale.

Italian dressage rider Chiara Prij Vitale who is currently lying 5th individually was awarded today's President's Prize by Competition President Jeanette Dawson.

The President's Prize is awarded each day to the combination who catches the President's eye.

Chiara was awarded a rosette and an official Championships polo shirt.See more

Team Netherlands in the lead after the first day of dressage

Dana Von Lierop aboard Equestricons Lord Champion sit in first place overnight

Charlotte Fry and Andexer put in a solid performance for Team GB

Team Netherlands are in pole position after the first day of the team dressage competition with a score of 68.63.

Dana Von Lierop on board nine-year-old bay gelding Equestricons Lord Champion clinched the top spot from German competitor Lena Charlott Walterscheid on Deinhard B who scored 70.33.

Von Lierop finished with a respectable 72.83, taking the Dutch contingent to first place after her efforts were bolstered by an impressive performance from team mate Suzanne Van De Ven with Majos Cannon who finished on 64.44.

Lying in second place, Team Germany saw respectable performances from Walterscheid and Grete Linnemann aboard White Gold with scores of 70.33 and 66.16 respectively.

Performances from Sofie Housgaard and fellow Dane Caroline B. Smidt secured third spot for Team Denmark with a combined score of 67.47.

Team GB are currently lying in 9th place following solid tests from Lottie Fry aboard eight-year-old German Riding Pony stallion Andexer, and Charlotte Gill and Ferrari. Fry and Gill finished on scores of 59.5 and 64.5 respectively, with appearances from Pony Europeans 'veteran' Claire Gallimore and 12-year-old Erin Williams set for tomorrow.

Image Galleries

Images from the FEI European Pony Championships 2010 can be found on the official Championships facebook page here any press who would like copies of any images please email press.office@bishopburton.ac.uk

FEI European Championships - Opening Ceremony

Guess which country I'm from...? Dressage riders - patriotic and proud!!

The Swedish contingent say hello!

The European Pony Championships Opening Ceremony started the competition with a bang.

All 15 nations teams, individuals and the horseball competitors paraded in front of cheering crowds and the official party, which consisted of the Competition President Jeanette Dawson and presidents of the ground jury for eventing, dressage and jumping.

Mrs Dawson paid tribute to the young athletes.

She said: "The College is honoured to be hosting the competition and we are looking forward to an excellent Championships which will embody the spirit of sportsmanship and foster long-standing friendships.

"Of course the most important people here are the competitors and the next five days will show the fittest and the most focused, who will take home the medals and the plaudits. But you must all remember that just by being here, you are all winners."

Following the official competitors' parade and national anthems, guests were treated to a display by the British Vaulting Squad and the fantastic stunt display team Independent Horse Exhibition. A hog roast and music followed for the athletes and their families ready for a day of dressage tomorrow!

Dressage starting lists for Wednesday 28/07 &Thurs 29/07

Download Wednesday's and Thursday's dressage start lists here

All dressage ponies pass first trot up!

Erin Williams and Danny Boy B for Great Britain

All dressage ponies have passed the first trot up and the starting lists for the team competitions on Wednesday and Thursday have now been issued.

The FEI European Pony Championships 2010 have begun!!!

Bishop Burton College all set for equine extravaganza!!!

Tomorrow sees the beginning of the FEI European Pony Championships 2010 which this year is hosted by Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire.

Preparations are well underway for the competition, which features jumping, dressage and eventing, as well as a CSIP Show Jumping competition and the Horseball European Pony Championships. There is also a large retail village, numerous catering outlets and on the final weekend of the event the College is hosting a Town and Country Weekend with plent of rural-themed activities and entertainment.

Ponies and their riders are starting to arrive and marquees are being erected. There's a real buzz on the campus as everyone waits for the competition proper to start tomorrow with trot-up and measuring...