last updated on August 07, 2009 18:59

The British Pony team of Claire Gallimore, Olivia Leak, Georgina Starkie and Holly Woodhead finished fifth out of the ten competing nations in the hotly contested Pony European Championships at Moorsele, Belgium 29 July – 4 August 2009. Germany and the Netherlands dominated the competition with both teams achieving top ten finishes with all four riders, the Germans coming out the eventual victors. Their results left little room on the leader board for anyone else and threw down a gauntlet that couldn’t be matched.

Holly Woodhead came in best of the Brits in 13th place riding her father’s 14.1hh gelding Languard 4 and improved on this to take 10th in the individual competition on 67.47%. Claire Gallimore was not far behind with Gigolo, both riders making it through to the freestyle final where they finished 11th and 14th respectively. Full results below.

Holly’s achievement is all the more commendable given her late call up to the team. She was substituted at the 11th hour after Charlotte Gill made the decision to withdraw from the competition at the training session on 25/26 July immediately prior to the team leaving for Belgium. First reserve Natasha Leak was unable to attend the concentration session and was removed from the reserve position by the selectors. Woodhead as second reserve was therefore asked to step in.

British Dressage fully supports any decisions made by the international selectors. Only the selectors are in possession of all the relevant facts affecting these decisions; some of which are and should remain confidential.


Team Test
Holly Woodhead with Languard 4 66.5% (13th)
Claire Gallimore with Gigolo 66.38% (15th)
Olivia Leak with Devito 64.61% (23rd)
Georgina Starkie with Pablo S 64.55% (24th)
Team 5th

Individual Test
Holly Woodhead with Languard 4 67.47% (10th)
Claire Gallimore with Gigolo 66.57% (14th)
Olivia Leak with Devito 62.00% (35th)
Georgina Starkie with Pablo S 65.82% (19th)


Consolation Test
Georgina Starkie with Pablo S 64.63% (=7th)
Olivia Leak with Devito 62.73% (16th)

Freestyle to Music
Holly Woodhead with Languard 4 67.45% (11th)
Claire Gallimore with Gigolo 63.85% (14th)