Upton leads Britain to four medals
Team GB’s under-21 teams excel for a strong medal haul, led by Bubby Upton, whose exceptional dressage sets her up for individual gold
BRITAIN’S Racesafe-sponsored junior team proved their worth in Millstreet, bringing home individual gold and team silver.
Isabelle (Bubby) Upton led from start to finish riding her mother Rachel’s eye-catching eight-year-old Eros DHI.
The pair posted a remarkable dressage mark of 23.9 (over 84%) to lead by almost six penalties. With everything to lose, Bubby carried the pressure to add two showjumping time-faults to an otherwise flawless performance to become the new junior European champion.
“‘Ero’ is so special and I’m so proud,” said 18-year-old Bubby, who has produced the KWPN since purchasing him as a BE100 horse in November 2015.
“He cruised around the crosscountry yesterday and I’ve never had the buffer of having a pole in hand coming into the final phase. I was confident and he jumped clear when it really mattered,” she said, referring to the fact her horse has had one pole down at his past four events in the UK.
All six British juniors jumped clear inside the time around the beautiful Mike Etherington-Smith-designed cross-country track. This, added to a series of personal bests in the dressage, meant Phoebe Locke (Union Fortunas) and Richard Coney (Kananaskis) recorded top-10 placings, finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
“My horse was amazing and I couldn’t have asked for any more from him this week,” said Phoebe, who at just 17 years old was making her fourth European Championship appearance.
“He didn’t put a foot wrong all week and is so consistent,” she added of her 15.3hh, who has rolled just two showjumping poles over the past two seasons.
Richard Coney jumped a beautiful double clear on Kananaskis, adding just two showjumping time-faults to his dressage of 40.3.
“I didn’t think I was going that slowly, but my horse has been so good all week,” said Richard, who hasn’t been out the top six at all of his starts with Kananaskis this season.
Imogen White and Emill (26th) were the final British team members, while the individuals were Sasha Hargreaves on Playtime (21st) and Holly Needham on Strike A Pose (41st).
Sandwiched between Bubby and Phoebe were three German riders who took home the individual silver and bronze medals, plus fourth place, which meant they also won team gold. They were Gesa Staas and St
Stacy (silver), Emma Brussau and Donnerstag 20 (bronze), Antonia Baumgart and Little Rose 9 (fourth). Their final teammate, Katharina Grupen finished 39th with Royal Favourite 2 after she broke a frangible device, incurring 11 penalties.
Britain finished 10.5 penalties adrift of Germany in silver, while France were a long way behind to take bronze.
It was a case of so near, yet so far for the Irish, who had to endure a rollercoaster week on home turf (box, right).
TRUE BRITISH GRIT
THE British young rider team had to battle to win individual silver and team bronze.
Sam Ecroyd led the dressage with Tullaher Sunrise on a score of 35.7. As one of the final riders, he then had to wait all day on Saturday to go cross-country, where it all went wrong.
“The sun decided to come out for the first time this week when I started my round,” said Sam, referring to the torrential rain endured for over 24 hours before the cross-country. “My horse then spooked at the water cascade rail, which was reflecting the sun, whipped left and I fell off.”
It seemed that perhaps that was it for the British team, but a smattering of faults among rival teams meant that the hunt for a medal was still on.
The five remaining British riders all jumped clear across country with just a handful of time-faults between them. This left them in team bronze, a position they maintained to take home a medal.
Alex Kennedy and Lissangle Cavaletto B rose from sixth after the dressage to take individual silver as one of only five pairs to finish on their dressage score.
“He was incredible across country — it was like he already knew where he was going,” said Alex, who works full-time as British eventer Millie Dumas’ second rider, of her striking grey.
“He’s been amazing all week and we never even expected to be selected as I was doing my own thing with him up until we won the final trial. I’m over the moon — he is a big horse, but so easy.”
A British squad debutante, individual rider Lizzie Baugh, was ninth with Quarry Man, thanks to another immaculate double clear.
“He’s jumped so well and I’m so pleased, especially as I’ve only had him for six months,” explained Lizzie, who is studying equine sports science at Nottingham Trent University.
“It’s always been a dream to represent my country and I never thought it would come true.”
Katie Bleloch also jumped double clear to finish 11th with Bulano.
“It’s taken me three years of trying, but I’ve finally won a medal,” laughed Katie. “Bulano jumped so well, never touching a pole.”
RSH Contend Or proved just how special he is, adding one showjumping time-fault to his dressage score with Felicity Collins.
“He’s only an eight-year-old and I’m so proud,” said Felicity, who was disappointed with her dressage mark of 52.7, but soon put it behind her.
“He’s so sensitive and the pouring rain while we were warming up for the dressage got to him,” she explained. “But he gave me a great feeling the rest of the week and I know I’m on such a capable horse.”
Britain’s other individuals, Libby Seed and Philanderer, were 16th.
Germany’s Hanna Knuppel and Carismo 22 took the individual title, with Britain-based Dutch rider Janou Bleekman and Granntevka Prince claiming bronze. Ireland’s Cathal Daniels rode the eight-year-old Sammy Davis Junior beautifully to finish fourth.
Germany couldn’t be caught in the team competition to win gold with the Netherlands in silver. Less than 10 penalties separated the top three.