Great Britain’s team finished in seventh place and produced some impressive individual rides at the Young Rider European Dressage Championships, Compiègne, France last weekend (9 – 14 July 2013).
The team was made up of Samantha Thurman-Baker (Douglas IV), Pippa Hutton (Duela), Olivia Oakeley (Donna Summer) and Amy Woodhead (Pardon) - the reserve combination who stepped up following Eilidh Grant’s tough decision to withdraw her ride, Comanche Crumble due to a suspected pollen allergy (see BD website news story 4 July).
In the team test, both Pippa (pictured) and Olivia rode solid, assured tests scoring 70% and 69.73% respectively for 10th and 11th place amongst Europe’s elite. For Samantha Thurman-Baker, all her tact was put to the test as her ride, Douglas IV, was affected by the occasion. Samantha did a skilful job on the talented but low-mileage 11-year-old son of Diamond Hit who is owned by Aram Gregory. She rode in her trademark mature manner to instil confidence in him to score 63.78% for 37th. Amy Woodhead and Pardon were just behind on 63.76% for 38th.
Team gold went to the Netherlands, on a team average score of 72.46%. Silver went to Germany (71.22%) and team bronze to Belgium (69.71%). The British quartet came seventh on 67.84%, less than two percent behind the medals.
Next came the individual phase of the competition. Olivia and Donna Summer, her 12-year-old son of Dimaggio, rode another solid test for 70.31% and 13th place and Pippa aboard Philip Woof’s Duela, an 11-year-old chestnut mare, also by Dimaggio, posted 70.26% for 15th - both combinations securing a spot in the freestyle and a shot at individual honours. Samantha and Amy improved on their team test results. Samantha and Douglas scored 67.60% for 24th whilst Amy and Pardon, her 16-year-old stallion by Jonggors Weyden, scored 65.13% for 36th.
The ever-increasing standard of international dressage as a whole was reflected at the championships, with no fewer than 17 plus 70% scores in the individual test which was headed by Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy on 77.78%. This promised a thrilling freestyle finale to determine individual honours - and it didn’t disappoint.
Olivia moved up to 12th position following her 70.65% freestyle performance and early to go Pippa scored 73.20% to lead, with a look-in for an individual medal, until the very last three riders to go. It was not to be however, as the final big-scoring trio representing Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, one-by-one managed to edge the Brit out of the coveted medal zone. Never-the-less, fourth place is an outstanding achievement, only ever reached once before by a British Young Rider – Charlotte Edmonds with Broomford Locarno at Pratoni del Vivaro back in 2002.
“Pippa’s a very cool customer under pressure – it’s where she really scores. She rode a fantastic freestyle,” said GB Chef d’Equipe Claire Moir. “Her result was down to flair, choreography and the confidence to take calculated risks. When it was suggested that she ride the three-time changes with one hand she simply said ‘OK, right’. The whole family [the Hutton family] has a great deal of experience in Juniors and Young Riders. Pippa has grown up with it so she knew the score – she knows how it all works.
“Amy had a few mistakes and her horse wasn’t quite ‘through’ enough but as she was pulled in late from team reserve, she didn’t have an ideal preparation. It’s never an easy place to be. Sam did a masterly job with Douglas. The horse had stage fright but Sam’s a very intelligent, capable rider and she did a really good job."
Olivia and Samantha are on the UK Sport funded World Class Development Programme which aims to identify talented riders and maximise their potential. Claire explained: “World Class has been a great support for Olivia and Sam, and having Carl [Hester] there to help was invaluable. It’s not the time for big alterations but having that person who you trust and understand there is a huge help.
“The Europeans is always different from any other show. We didn’t win a medal but are definitely on the right route. All we have to do now is not make mistakes – riders have got to have a clear round - then it will be within our grasp. It was a very positive experience and the riders will come back even more determined. It was a very cohesive team and the riders coped so well with the highs and lows. There was such a good team atmosphere. All four riders are professionals already in their own right - they’re seasoned campaigners which makes my life easier,” said Claire. “They’re mature riders at a young age which was very noticeable.
Claire was quick to praise the northern France venue: “It was a wonderful show and a beautiful place. It was so well organised and the marks, sheets and results were all out very quickly. It was one of the best Europeans.”
Team results:
Gold: Netherlands 72.46%
Silver: Germany 71.22%
Bronze: Belgium 69.71%
Fourth: Sweden 69.56%
Fifth: Denmark 69.50%
Sixth: Austria 68.02%
Seventh: Great Britain 67.84%
Eighth: Norway 65.57%
Ninth: France 65.29%
Tenth: Poland 63.23%
Eleventh: Spain 62.50%
Individual test:
1st: Cathrine Dufour, Atterupgaards Cassidy (DEN) 77.78%
2nd: Juliette Piotrowski, Sir Diamond (GER) 76.42%
3rd: Stephanie Kooyman, Winston (NED) 76.39%
13th: Olivia Oakeley, Donna Summer (GBR) 70.31%
15th: Pippa Hutton, Duela (GBR) 70.26%
24th: Samantha Thurman-Baker, Douglas IV (GBR) 67.60%
36th: Amy Woodhead, Pardon (GBR) 65.13%
Freestyle:
Gold: Cathrine Dufour, Atterupgaards Cassidy (DEN) 83.60%
Silver: Stephanie Kooyman, Winston (NED) 79.22%
Bronze: Juliette Piotrowski, Sir Diamond (GER) 76.42%
Fourth: Pippa Hutton, Duela (GBR) 73.20%
Twelfth: Olivia Oakeley, Donna Summer (GBR) 70.65%
For full results click here