last updated on January 19, 2009 12:36

The dressage and show jumping teams enjoyed a fantastic first visit to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival picking up five medals. The dressage team claimed team gold plus individual silver and bronze whilst the show jumpers picked up team and individual bronze medals.

The dressage team of Charlie Hutton, Jessica Dunn and Emily Cousins started the medal haul in style with gold in the team event, edging out Australia by a whisker. The British team scored 62.778% to beat the Australians who came in at 62.556%, less than a quarter of a point behind. New Zealand also remained in the hunt until the very end, finishing third with 61.278%.

Charlie Hutton on AEA Julius, the final rider for the British team, rode a brilliant test, with an individual score of 63.42% to clinch the gold for the team. “I was so pleased,” Hutton said. “The horse was a little bit tired today, but I managed to do a decent test to contribute to our team score.”

For many, including Hutton, the result was too close for comfort. “We sat there looking at the scoreboard and just waiting. Fortunately I’ve been to three European Championships as well so it’s good practice. It’s a fantastic experience to be here,” he said.

“I am thrilled for all the riders and team staff,” said World Class Performance Director Will Connell. “This demonstrates that we have the riders and coaches that have the talent and drive to win. We need to work hard with the World Class Equine Pathway, owners and breeders to ensure we have the horses for our riders to win."

The following individual competition saw Charlie Hutton pick up the individual silver in the dressage and Jessica Dunn win bronze. Hutton clinched the silver with a score of 64.575%, upon receiving his medal he said:

“We had two and a half days to get to know the horses, so I’m ecstatic. The horse that I got was really nice, had a fantastic temperament and was a joy to work with. I’m really grateful for all of the support that I have had out here. We are a really strong team that has been working together for the last three years and that showed yesterday in the team competition and again today. We all know how to get the best out of each other. This result bodes well for me as I aim to step up in to a really strong senior team and qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.”

The gold went to Australia’s Victoria Welch on Fairbanks Forever with a score of 68.214% after leading throughout the whole competition and Jessica Dunn on Shining Messiah clinched the bronze with a score of 64.492%.

The AYOF is a youth multi-sport event which plays a significant role in developing future Olympians. It seeks to provide future Olympic athletes with an environment reminiscent of an Olympic Games and promote the Olympic ideals of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

Pictured above: individual medal winners Charlie Hutton (GB), Victoria Welch (Australia), Jessica Dunn (GB).

>> View full results here
>> Read Team leader Caroline Griffiths report on events here

Emily Cousins and borrowed mount Rathowen Rustic