Fletcher leads British rout
Young Brits take top spots in two grands prix, with the talented junior squad adding a Nations Cup triumph to the spoils
THE younger generation did their country proud with some momentous British wins and superb riding at the prestigious Dutch Youngster Festival.
Oliver Fletcher, 14, triumphed in the children’s grand prix riding the nine-year-old mare Dahar. He beat 10 jump-off rivals, finishing 0.88 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger, Lilli Collee of Germany (Barry Brown Escaille). British rider Holly Truelove was third on Golly Girl with a double clear round the 1.30m tracks.
“I couldn’t have gone any faster, but I wasn’t sure if anyone after me could,” he said. “I walked around the collecting ring, waiting until the last rider had gone before I could relax!”
His mother, international rider Tina Fletcher, added:
“The standard of jumping was incredible. We have been involved at this level for the past two years and the improvements are astounding. The course today was both big and technical, it would definitely have been the biggest children’s course I have seen.
“I’ve always thought that riding horses at a younger age plays a pivotal role in their development and what I’ve seen today serves to reinforce that,” she said.
A 12-strong field progressed to the final of the junior grand prix and, with seven jumping clear, the pressure was on these youngsters to up the pace. Devouring the 1.40m tracks with ease for nearly a two-second victory was Great Britain’s Harry Charles riding the 12-year-old son of Casall, Vivaldi Du Dom. The 17-year-old was joined in the jump-off by teammate and reigning pony European champion Jack Whitaker
(Valentin R), who took sixth.
“I had watched a couple go and I could see that there was room for me to take a stride out between the first two fences,” said Harry. “I knew I had to be fast but felt confident as my horse is so careful. The jump-off course suited us as it had a good distance between fences and Vivaldi has a forward pace so it worked out well.
“As I came to the finish line, I knew I wouldn’t be far off the current leader, but it wasn’t until afterwards that I realised I had managed to shave more than two seconds from their time.”
TALENTED TEAM
HARRY and Jack (this time riding Street Hassle) had earlier been part of the winning NAFsponsored British junior Nations Cup squad, completing on a team score of four penalties. They were joined by trailblazer Jodie Hall McAteer (Coquin De Coquerie Z) and Will Fletcher (Glory Rose) and each delivered instrumental clear rounds for their country.
“Harry has ridden exceptionally well and he was excellent in the grand prix,” said Great Britain’s youth team manager Clare Whitaker. “This, along with his performance in the Nations Cup when, as anchor rider, he delivered the clear that we needed to secure the win, has highlighted his talent.
“I was also extremely pleased with Jack who, at only 16 years old, produced a faultless two rounds in the grand prix, riding with maturity well beyond his years. The juniors have shown considerable talent in Wierden.”
Peter Charles, father of Harry, added: “To win the Nations Cup and the grand prix shows what tremendous talent we have within this age group and we’ve proved that we’re the best in Europe.”
The pony grand prix resulted in Ireland filling three of the top four places, with victory going to Ciaran Nallon on Rexter D’Or, Abbie Sweetnam taking the runner-up spot on Dynamite Spartacus and Charlotte Houston fourth as the quickest four-faulter riding Lea Du Genier. Amazingly, this trio, riding without their fourth team member, were also responsible for Ireland’s victory in the pony Nations Cup, where Great Britain took fifth.
‘We have proved that we’re
the best in Europe’
SHOWJUMPER PETER CHARLES