FEI U25 and Children on Horses European Championships: Lucy Amy qualifies for Freestyle

British U25 rider Lucy Amy has qualified for tomorrow’s Freestyle at the FEI U25 and Children on Horses European Championships taking place this week in Pilisjászfalu, near Budapest in Hungary. Lucy and Rudy achieved 16th place in the Grand Prix 16-25 to secure their spot, while fellow U25 rider Dylan Deutrom and Children on Horses contender Crystal Robinson-Long both concluded their European Championship debuts in style.

Under 25s
Drawn to ride yesterday, during part one of the FEI Grand Prix 16-25, Dylan Deutrom and the black Oldenburg gelding San Marco (pictured above) were awarded a solid score of 65.282%. This performance placed them provisionally 12th overnight following the first day of competition in the U25 Individual medal decider, and ultimately 26th.

San Marco, who is owned by Sarah Church and William Deans, is low mileage at the level. His class and ability, however, suggests a lot of potential for this Status Quo x Gribaldi 12-year-old. Beautiful extensions and fluent half passes are real highlights for this combination, and they attracted plenty of strong marks from the panel. Mistakes in the two-tempis were costly, keeping the score in check at 65.282%, but there’s much to shout about with this classy duo.

Setting the benchmark on day one of the Grand Prix with 72.615% was Alejandro Oliva Lazaro with the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Décor. The Spanish overnight leader was followed closely by Germany’s Alina Schrader with Paola OLD (71.718%) and Karoline Rohmann with Jakas Don Louvre (71.077%) also for Germany.

The greatest challengers this afternoon came in the form of Raphael Netz and Ferdinand BB (Florencio 2 x Lanciano) who so impressively led Germany to the team gold medal on Thursday. For Raphael and Ferdinand BB, a former ride of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, this was just their second international competition together, but once again they took charge to land at the top of the leader board and take gold with an impressive 73.462%.

British contenders Lucy Amy and Rudy (pictured above), drawn last to go in the penultimate group of riders today, once again showed their class. Competing at their second U25 European Championships, this partnership is looking more and more established at the level. Great energy and swing in the trot creates a super picture. A glitch into the first piaffe was costly, as was a moment’s resistance in the canter pirouette left, in an otherwise impressive test.

The lines of changes were beautifully performed, and an overall accomplished ride was rounded off with a lovely final centre line. A score of 67.538% was announced to put them provisional 13th, and as the results of the final group of riders came in, the British duo comfortably remained in the top 18 to qualify for a coveted place in the Freestyle.

Children on Horses
Crystal Robinson-Long and Evita Ronia (pictured above), who got off to a promising start on Thursday in the Children Preliminary B test, continued to show their potential with a solid performance in today’s FEI Children Team competition. The 14-year-old from Kent, who trains with Annie Rawlins, did a super job at her first FEI Championships to earn a score of 70.217% today to finish 32nd in the close-fought class of 46 competitors.

In the sun-drenched Unikornis Lovarda arena, where the mercury hit 33°C this morning, the battle for team medal honours unfolded on this second of two days’ team competition. As Britain’s sole representative in this category, therefore competing as an individual, Crystal rode an assured test with her talented 13-year-old Dutch mare Evita Ronia (Westpoint x Oscar). A performance showing much quality earned a Technical mark just shy of 66% and a Quality mark of 74.000%, resulting in a final total of 70.217%, and a display of much potential for the future.

British Dressage congratulates all three riders and their support teams on their achievements, and wishes Lucy all the best for her Freestyle tomorrow.

Lucy and Rudy are drawn to ride their freestyle tomorrow at 11:47 (10:47 BST). Click here for details of how to watch and follow the competition live.

Results: top ten and British placings
FEI Grand Prix 16-25
GOLD - Raphael Netz and Ferdinand BB, 73.462% (GER)
SILVER - Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 72.615% (ESP)
BRONZE - Thea Bech and Dionisos, 72.333% (DEN)
4. Alina Schrader and Paola OLD, 71.718% (GER)
5. Karoline Rohmann and Jakas Don Louvre, 71.077% (DEN)
6. Nico Nyssen and Farrington, 71.000% (BEL)
7. Thalia Rockx and Verdi de la Fazenda, 70.692% (NED)
8. Alexa Westendarp and Four Seasons FRH, 70.615% (BEL)
9. Helen Erbe and Carlos FRH, 70.487% (GER)
10. Laura Kristine Thorup and Blue Hors Veneziano, 70.385% (DEN)
16. Lucy Amy and Rudy, 67.538% (GBR)
26. Dylan Deutrom and San Marco, 65.282% (GBR)

FEI Children Team
1. Martha Raupach and Jack Sparrow, 83.509% (GER)
2. Alessa Marie Maass and Floricella, 81.684% (GER)
3. Lotta Plaas and Balsamico, 81.150% (GER)
4. Sophie van Norel and Itrina, 79.684% (NED)
5. Amber Hennes and Allegro v/h Trichelhof, 76.667% (BEL)
6. Robin Dicker and Helena, 76.242% (NED)
7. Juni Skobe Rosén and Darthula VH, 75.284% (SWE)
8. Britt Kikkert-Van der Linde and Dark Knight Texel, 74.984% (NED)
9. Hugo Melida Gomez and Goya A, 74.750% (ESP)
10.Alice Hubackova and Belle Ennie, 74.309% (CZE)
32. Crystal Robinson-Long and Evita Ronia, 70.217% (GBR)

Team standings
GOLD - Germany – 246.343
SILVER - Netherlands – 230.910
BRONZE - Belgium – 223.509

FULL RESULTS

Photo © Łukasz Kowalski