Brits on song at FEI U25 and Children on Horses European Championships

British riders, competing as individuals, have enjoyed a confident start during the first stage of competition at the FEI Dressage European Championships for Under 25s and Children on Horses, in Budapest region - Pilisjászfalu, Hungary (24 – 28 August 2022). Lucy Amy and Rudy (U25) finished just outside the top ten, while Dylan Deutrom (U25) and Crystal Robinson-Long (Children) each achieved promising results on their FEI Championship debuts.

Under 25s
Yesterday afternoon, pathfinder Dylan Deutrom (pictured above) was not only the first Brit down the centre line - he was also the first U25 rider of the Championships to take the stage in the Unikornis Lovarda arena. Twenty-five-year-old Dylan, however, kicked off proceedings in assertive style with Sarah Church and William Deans’ elegantly powerful gelding San Marco (Status Quo x Gribaldi), riding with tact and assurance on his first-time European Championship appearance.

The 12-year-old black gelding stepped up to the U25 division only in June of this year, but what he lacks in mileage he makes up for with ability, as was shown with his wins at Wellington CDI in Heckfield ten weeks ago. Yesterday, he showed his class once more with super highlights in the extended trot, canter pirouettes and the lines of one- and two-tempis. He has a lot of expression, a lot of power, and with lots more sure to come as he gains extra confidence in the piaffe and passage.

The judging panel made up of Hans Voser (SUI) at E, Orsolya Hillier (HUN) at H, Christof Umbach (LUX) at C, Thomas Lang (AUT) at M and Ulrike Nivekke (GER) at B awarded Dylan and Marco a solid mark 68.323% to ultimately place them 24th out of 42 starters after the first phase of the Championships.

Also drawn to compete yesterday, Lucy Amy (24) and her 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Rudy (pictured above), rode the performance of their international career so far. A fluent and expressive test, showing great regularity and connection, was awarded 71.294%, marking a new PB for the pair. This put them in 12th position after all riders had completed today.

Lucy, who made her team debut with Rudy at the U25 European Championships in Hagen last year, hails from Jersey and bought Rudy as a two-year-old with show jumping in mind. Later opting to take the dressage route, and now based in Wiltshire, she trains with Gareth Hughes and her career with Rudy spans a national Preliminary title in 2014 to competing on the European stage today.

Germany took the team gold medal, spearheaded by Raphael Netz and Ferdinand BB, on a team total of 222.853, followed by Denmark on 217.471 and the Netherlands who completed the podium with a team total of 213.559%.

The Grand Prix 16-25 occupies the next two days of competition, with a set of Individual FEI medals awarded on Saturday plus the chance to make the top-18 who qualify for Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle.

Dylan and San Marco are drawn to ride their FEI Grand Prix 16-25 on Friday at 14:59 (13:59 BST), while Lucy and Rudy go on Saturday at 13:38 (12:38 BST).

Children on Horses
Crystal Robinson-Long, competing at her first FEI Championships, came out of the starting blocks in great style this morning. On the second of two days’ FEI Children Preliminary B competition, Crystal (14) and her talented mare Evita Ronia (Westpoint x Oscar) did a sterling job to score 71.125% and finish 24th out of 46 starters.

A well-presented performance from this budding partnership (pictured above) earned a Technical mark of 67.500% and a Quality mark of 74.750%, resulting in a final score of 71.125% from judges Magnus Ringmark (SWE) and Thomas Kessler (GER) at E, Thomas Lang (AUT) at H, Elisabeth Max-Theurer (AUT) at C and Maria Colliander (FIN) at B.

The next two days of competition in the Children division is the team medal decider and also an opportunity to make the top 18, who qualify for Sunday’s Individual finale.

Crystal and Evita Ronia are drawn to ride their FEI Children Team test on Saturday at 08:48 (07:48 BST). Click here for details of how to watch and follow the competition live.

Results: top 10 and British placings
FEI Intermediate II
1. Raphael Netz and Ferdinand BB, 75.294% (GER)
2. Helen Erbe and Carlos FRH, 74.853% (GER)
3. Thea Bech and Dionisos, 72.971% (DEN)
4. Alexa Westendarp and Four Seasons FRH, 72.706% (GER)
5. Karoline Rohmann and Jakas Don Louvre, 72.559% (DEN)
6. Josefine Hoffmann and Hoennerups Driver, 71.941% (DEN)
7. Laura Kristine Thorup and Blue Hors Veneziano, 71.882% (DEN)
8. Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 71.794% (ESP)
9. Febe van Zwambagt and Fernandell MS, 71.441% (NED)
=10. Alina Schrader and Paola OLD, 71.324% (GER)
=10. Nico Nyssen and Farrington, 71.324% (BEL)
12. Lucy Amy and Rudy, 71.294% (GBR)
24. Dylan Deutrom and San Marco, 68.323% (GBR)

Team medal standings
GOLD - Germany – 222.853
SILVER - Denmark – 217.471
BRONZE - Netherlands – 213.559

FEI Children Preliminary B
1. Martha Raupach and Jack Sparrow, 86.548% (GER)
2. Sophie van Norel and Itrina, 80.798% (NED)
3. Lotta Plaas and Balsamico, 79.756% (GER)
4. Eve Catherine Bartels and Freispiel, 77.988% (GER)
5. Allessa Marie Maass and Floricella, 77.810% (GER)
6. Isabella Karajkovic and Wert’s Snowflake, 77.655% (NED)
7. Chloë Cleymans and Jondonderry, 77.566% (BEL)
8. Robin Dicker and Helena, 77.310% (NED)
9. Britt Kikkert-Van der Linde and Dark Knight Texel, 77.155% (NED)
10. Juni Skobe Rosén and Darthula VH, 75.298% (SWE)
24. Crystal Robinson-Long and Evita Ronia, 71.125% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS

Photo © Łukasz Kowalski