Four of Team GBR’s youngest and most exciting combinations have made the short trip across the channel for the 2014 Pony European Championships (29 July – 3 August). With Millstreet, Ireland playing host to the championships, the British team arrived safely yesterday with the trot up and vet inspection taking place today (29 July).
After last year’s successful Europeans campaign that witnessed the pony team claim bronze, the team will be hungry to outride the Dutch and German teams and top the podium. Double European gold medallist, 15-year-old Phoebe Peters will be looking to retain her two titles riding her mum’s 12-year-old Danish gelding, SL Lucci. With 12 wins in 13 competitions this year, the dynamic duo are certainly on form looking strong contenders for the two gold medals again this year.
14-year-old Rebecca Bell and her ride, her mum’s 11-year-old German mare, Valido’s Sunshine, have continued to improve since the 2013 Pony Europeans in Arezzo, Italy, with their scores regularly breaking the 70% barrier.
Moving on from last year’s disappointment when her pony, Gigolo, was forced to withdraw due to a minor injury, Essex-based Bethany Rose Horobin will be looking to make an impact at her first ever Pony Europeans. It will not be a first for her pony Gigolo, however, as this year marks his fifth Europeans in ten years – an amazing achievement for a very special pony.
Another fresh face to the championships is 15-year-old Alex Hellings, who will also be making Millstreet her first ever European Championships. Riding Clare Williams’ seven year old German gelding, Der Kleine Lord, the pair have been leaving their mark at CDIs across the continent with scores consistently above 70%.
Team competition begins tomorrow (30 July) at 10am (BST). To follow Team GBR’s progress over the next few days, click here.