last updated on July 30, 2010 16:58

The beautiful venue of Schafhof, Kronberg, Germany paid host to the Junior & Young Rider European Championships 2010 21 – 25 July 2010. 

A competitive German team were crowned eventual winners over the Netherlands in both the junior and young rider competitions. In the junior section Denmark slotted into the bronze medal position,  closely followed by Belgium and then the British team hot on their heels to take fifth. 17 year old Samantha Thurman-Baker with part Cleveland Bay Spring Pascal finished best of the Brits in 12th place on 68.27%, Olivia Oakeley with Donna Summer were 16th with 67.24% and Samantha Brown 22nd on 65.65%. In the Individual Samantha Thurman-Baker held her own to take 12th on 68.42% qualifying for the Freestyle to Music to end the competition in 15th place. Samantha Brown was 22nd in the team test with team stalwart Kwadraat but was subsequently forced to withdraw when it was discovered the horse had pulled a muscle.

The British Young Rider team put in solid performances to finish in eventual sixth place. Susannah Coleridge-Smith was 15th in the Team test with 66.84% and 20th in the Individual with 67.84%. Charlie Hutton with Abira was 21st with 66.10% in the Team test and Sophie Wells 22nd with 66.00%. Sophie is the first British rider to compete on both para-equestrian and able bodied championship teams for GB.

Islay Auty, Junior & YR Selector commented; “The Championships were of an exceptionally high standard in terms of the beautiful venue and the efforts that the owners and Organising Committee had gone to. Every consideration was met and there was not a single thing that they had not thought of or done to make the championships uniquely wonderful for all involved.

Our riders all without exception met the challenge of this level of competition by riding to the best of their ability under the circumstances. Many riders achieved personal bests for International competition when it mattered most. The team spirit from riders, parents and support staff was excellent.”
 

Pictured; the British Junior and Young rider squads