FEI Junior and Children on Horses European Championships: Junior Bronze added to Britain’s 25 tally

Britain’s Junior team of Isla Sully, Abigail Gray, Demi Howard-Cartwright and Myles Graham earned their spot on the European Championship podium, whilst four Children on Horses debutants made their first appearances in the Preliminary round.  

Junior  

Four talented riders, all with European Championship experience, stepped forward to contest the Junior team competition – achieving the medal mission and bringing home a bronze. Competition favourites Germany successfully claimed the gold medal, on a total of 217.030, whilst The Netherlands also put in a strong performance to secure silver on 214.092. Britain and Denmark are often locked in battle for the medals at continental championships, and they were once again the nations in contention for the third podium spot; four consistent performances by the Brits delivered the medal one percent ahead of the Nordic nation, who settled for fourth at the close. 

Isla Sully and Cassandra Sully’s 16-year-old Lusitano Vagabond de Massa produced the highest score in the team total, a wonderful 71.242% in a close-fought class. The pair have completed three consecutive years on the Junior team, and brought that experience to a well-presented, powerful test.  

2024 Pony European Freestyle gold medallist Abigail Gray stepped up to Junior level in style on board Fenella Quinn’s KWPN Empire B (Sting x OO Seven). The combination presented a test that oozed harmony to score 70.151%, at only their fourth international together.  

Demi Howard-Cartwright returned to team competition at Junior level, having previously ridden at the Pony European Championships. With her British-bred partner Newton Astro Nascante, Demi did a wonderful job of piloting Lorna Wilson’s Apache-sired nine-year-old to 68.697%.  

Former Junior Individual medallist Myles Graham brought a new dancing partner to this year’s line up, in another British-bred mare, Josephine Eley’s Nibeley Black Pearl. Riding as team anchor Myles rode a balanced test, making no errors to score a super solid 68.364%. 

Congratulations to all four riders, their support teams, families, owners, grooms and horses.  

Children on Horses 

For the first time in British dressage history, a full team of four Children on Horses travelled to Le Mans to contest three rounds of European Championship competition. The Children’s week starts with a Preliminary round, followed by two medal competitions – team and individual.  

Melissa Hargreaves, hailling from Derbyshire, produced the top British score in the opening round – earning 72.530 with her nine-year-old gelding Lagerfeld W (Daily Diamond x Albaran). Riding with maturity beyond her years Melissa earned 68.809% for her technical mark, alongside a superb 76.250% quality mark.  

Lily Waller McSweeney and Oriana McNamara finished side by side in the Preliminary rankings, both making brilliant efforts riding their first European Championship centre lines. Lily presented Jacquie Waller's Sir Donnerhall-sired Willinga Park Sky Diamond for 69.554%; whilst London-based Oriana earned 69.447 with Andrea McNamara’s Lafite (Bordeaux x Vivaldi).  

Rose Punchard also completed her first European Championship test on the opening day of competition. It wasn't to be Rose's day, but we're proud of her efforts and know this combination will be back fighting in the team competition.  

Congratulations to all four riders and their horses and support teams on completing the first round of the week, with lots to look forward to in the Team competition.  

Follow the action 

Don't miss a moment of the action, all five days of the Championships are being brought live to subscribers by ClipMyHorse.TV and on the FEI YouTube channel. You can also keep up with all the results and news on our social media channels. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Results – top three and British riders  

Junior team standings  
1. Germany – 217.030 
2. The Netherlands – 214.092 
3. Great Britain – 210.090  
4. Denmark – 209.092 
5. Belgium – 208.000  

Junior Team test  
1. Maria Teresa Pohl and Diaton FRH, 73.394% (GER) 
2. Ava Osing and Vitalos FRH, 72.303% (GER) 
3. Dominique Van Dalsen and Just Johnson, 71.970% (NED) 
6. Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa, 71.242% (GBR) 
10. Abigail Gray and Empire B, 70.151% (GBR) 
21. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 68.697% (GBR) 
24. Myles Graham and Nibeley Black Pearl, 68.364% (GBR) 

Children on Horses Preliminary B 
1. Bo Leijten and Gentle Van Wittenstein V, 82.959% (NED) 
2. Lynn Sophie Soddemann and Furst Schwarzenberg MT, 81.322% (GER) 
3. Laura Kohoutek and Shakeela FRH, 81.238% (GER) 
22. Melissa Hargreaves and Lagerfeld W, 72.530% (GBR) 
35. Lily Waller-McSweeney and Willinga Park Sky Diamond, 69.554% (GBR) 
36. Oriana McNamara and Lafite, 69.447% (GBR) 
56. Rose Punchard and Elason, 54.226% (GBR)  

FULL RESULTS