FEI Young Rider and U25 European Championships: Individual competition results

It was a mixed two days of competition for the Young Riders and Under 25s as they took on the Individual tests at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Pilisjászfalu, Hungary, which saw three of the riders progressing through to Sunday’s Freestyle competition.

Young Riders

Mette Dahl topped the British riders, with an impressive score of 72.118% to secure fifth place in the Young Rider Individual Test, just 0.823% off bronze position. Mette and Fiona Bigwood’s Daytona Platinum produced a super balanced, fluent, harmonious and clean test to impress judges Eva-Maria Vint-Warmington (E – EST), Dr. Sven-Günter Rothenberger (H - NED), Nicole Nockemann (C – GER), Carlos Lopes (M – POR) and Sandy Phillips (B – GBR). Some of the combination’s highlights included an excellent relaxed extended walk, with the canter tour showing excellent fluency and good uphill changes. Speaking on Instagram, Mette said she “couldn’t be prouder of Dino” and went on to thank all of the support she had received.

Ruby Hughes was the first of the British Young Riders to go down the centre line on Saturday morning, aboard Emma Blundell’s 12-year-old Mount ST John Jazz Dance. It was a mixed test for Ruby as the arena seemed to cause ‘Jillz’ to spook throughout the test, as it had done for many horses throughout the day. Ruby, however, rode sympathetically and tactfully, giving the mare as much confidence as she could to achieve good half-passes and shoulder in, and managing to get her four-tempi changes. Ruby conducted herself with total grace and composure to still secure a score of 60.382% despite the challenges.

The Young Rider Team continued to have a difficult day in the arena, with Demi Howard-Cartwright being forced to retire at the end of the centre line as Newton Astro Nascente, known at home as Anton, appeared to not want to complete the test. Demi handled the situation extremely well and showed incredible maturity in her riding.

The final of the British Young Rider Team to compete in the individual test was Myles Graham and Fred Astaire WD (owned by Dan Sherriff and Lindsey Roberts). Myles and ‘Freddie’ produced a forward, positive and accurate test, although a couple of small mistakes and some tension unfortunately cost them a few marks and meant the duo missed out on a spot in Sunday’s Freestyle, scoring 66.862% to finish in 27th place. However the combination, who have been partnered for just eight months, showed great potential, and Myles noted that he was happy with some nice movements in the test that he has been working on with the 12-year-old gelding.

Myles commented on Instagram, “Overall, I am so pleased with Freddie this week! From his first time abroad, being an angel to travel, to holding his own among Europe’s best…thank you Freddie for trying your heart out. Now for some well-deserved time off.”

The class was topped by Dutch rider Lara van Nek riding Jatilinda, who achieved a personal best of 74.264% to take the win. And that wasn’t the only personal best on the podium, with second place Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen and Attractive (GER) also securing a PB of 73.177% to claim the silver medal. Bronze went to Michella Skovsager and Zimillione Pt2 (DEN) on 72.941%.

Under 25s

First up of the British riders in the Under 25s Grand Prix Individual test was Annabella Pidgley aboard Sarah Pidgley’s 15-year-old gelding Gio, who produced a stunning test to finish in sixth position with a score of 70.180%, and was the highest placed of the British riders. Highlights from the test included the piaffe and passage, with good steps in the extended canter and a well-ridden second pirouette, finishing the test with a strong final centre line and halt. Annabella describes her time at this year’s European Championships as having had “a magical experience here in Hungary ending with a sixth place in the individual against some amazing riders and horses.”

Shortly after Annabella and Gio’s test, came Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, who produced a solid test to finish in 18th place with a score of 66.410%. The 15-year-old gelding was full of beans throughout the test, achieving a beautiful first extended trot which saw an average of 7.2 across judges Katrina Wüst (E - GER), Raphaël Saleh (H - FRA), Elisabeth Max-Theurer (C - AUT), Dr. Hans-Christian Matthiesen (M - DEN) and Patricia Wolters (B - NED). The duo went on to produce lots of positives across the test, including a controlled and well-centred pirouette and clean one and two-tempi changes, however lots of tension in the collected walk cost the pair some marks, as did the change at the end of extended canter.

Georgina Nicholls and her 11-year-old gelding Briarwood Notorious were next up, with the pair having a strong start to their test and were on track for a personal best before some costly mistakes towards the end which just knocked their score down. They scored 7.0s across the board for their piaffe and passage, with a good extended and collected walk and extended canter. They finished on a score of 64.744%, which put them in 25th place on their first ever international competition.

Commenting on their first experience of the European Championships on social media, Georgina said “I couldn’t be prouder of Silas and the way he handled all the travelling, the atmosphere, and the competition. We’re both still so new to this level- having ridden our first Inter II just a year ago today, and this being our first international show abroad, I was absolutely delighted with how he coped.

Silas was full of enthusiasm from start to finish, which at times meant we weren’t quite able to show the very best work I know we’re capable of. But I couldn’t be happier that it was him I got to share this experience with. Knowing we’re only just getting started makes me so excited for the future.”

Harrison Ashton and Spectre were unfortunately eliminated from the competition on veterinary grounds by the judge at C, Harrison confirmed afterwards that Spectre had been checked over by the team vet, who was satisfied there was nothing too serious. Harrison commented he was “Spectre unfortunately knocked himself early on in the test, leaving him not quite his usual self. He was checked over by the team vet afterwards and thankfully there are no major concerns.

Days like these are tough, but his well-being will always come first.”

The Under 25s also saw two personal bests in the medal-winning positions; Germany’s Rose Oatley and Alive and Kicking who won the gold medal with a PB of 74.897% and bronze medal winner Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Inspiration PF, scoring a PB of 72.744%. In between the two was Dutch rider Marten Luiten and Johnny, who achieved 72.769% to win silver.

Congratulations to all British riders, their horses, grooms, owners, families, supporters and the BD support team.

Results – top three and British riders 

Young Rider Individual  

1. Lara van Nek and Jatilinda, 74.264% (NED)

2. Julie Sofie Schmitz-Heinen and Attractive, 73.177% (GER) 

3. Michella Skovsager and Zimillione Pt2, 72.941% (DEN)

5. Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum, 72.118% (GBR)

27. Myles Graham and Fred Astaire WD, 66.882% (GBR)

59. Ruby Hughes and Mount St John Jazz Dance, 60.382% (GBR)

U25 Individual 

1. Rose Oatley and Alive and Kicking, 74.897% (GER)

2. Marten Luiten and Johnny, 72.769% (NED)

3. Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Inspiration PF, 72.744% (DEN)

6. Annabella Pidgley and Gio, 70.180% (GBR)

18. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 66.410% (GBR)

38. Georgina Nicholls and Briarwood Notorious, 64.744% (GBR) 

FULL RESULTS