Two new British European Champions crowned at Sentower Park

Abigail Gray and Ella-Grace Dovey were stars of the show at Sentower Park, writing a new chapter of history at the FEI European Championships for Children on Horses, Ponies and Junior riders.  

Pony power  

Aberdeenshire’s Abigail Gray and her 13-year-old gelding George Clooney B.S have been Britain’s leading combination in this age category for two years, and truly came of age at this year’s European Championships, cementing their reputation with a silver medal and a gold medal.  

In the team competition, Abigail opened her account at Sentower Park with a test that topped the individual charts, starting the week in the best possible manner. Abigail’s test was balanced and harmonious, whilst showing plenty of George Clooney’s power in the extended paces. The judges panel Patricia Wolters (NED – E), Alban Tissot (FRA – H), Knut Danzberg (GER – C), Freddy Leyman (BEL – M) and Frederico Pinteur (POR – B), rewarded a polished performance with a new personal best score of 75.114%.  

Drawn on day two of the Individual competition, Abigail repeated her team test form, earning yet another personal best score of 75.324% to deliver her first European Championship medal, a superb silver. The competition was won by the narrowest of margins, as Germany’s Madlin Tillmann and Chilly Morning WE scored 75.595% to become European Champions in the Individual test.  

The final day of competition saw the elegant young rider defy the pressure of being drawn last to go in the Freestyle competition, rising to the occasion to produce her third personal best performance of the week. Choosing powerful, emotive music, Abigail’s test delivered plenty of artistic drama alongside a well-choreographed floorplan. A long wait for the scores due to technical errors was worth the tension, as the score was declared at 80.140%, and the title of European Champion confirmed.  

A British rider on the pony podium again was made all the sweeter by Abigail’s equine partner being British-bred, a great success for breeder Julie Lockey.  

“He has been absolutely amazing at this championship and on the run up to it. I am so proud, not just of him but of everyone that has helped us get here.” 

“I train with Sarah Higgins & Hannah Moody. I am very grateful they helped me to where I am today, along with everyone else that supports me and George. I also want to thank the organizing committee here at Sentower Park for hosting the championships. It was my last time competing with the ponies, so I am very proud we ended with a gold medal. We are currently looking for a horse so I can hopefully continue with the Juniors. It has been a little bit challenging to find a horse because I am quite a small rider, but I have good hopes we will succeed, and I can continue to compete.” 

Abigail joins a select group of British riders to have earned the title of European Champion, becoming the second Pony rider to achieve the feat following Phoebe Peters duo of titles in 2013 and 2015.  

Children on Horses Champion 

Ella-Grace Dovey made history in the Children on Horses Championship, producing David Pincus’ Johnson-sired gelding throughout the week, improving in every test on the way to the podium.  

Britain has never achieved a Children on Horses medal before, with Ella-Grace achieving a remarkable feat in not only bringing home the first hardware, but making it a gold.  

In their opening Preliminary B test, the combination got their campaign under way with a solid 73.435% for twelfth place. Next up was the Team competition, where their confidence and form began to really pick up momentum; the result for a beautiful harmonious test was 77.034%, moving the duo up into the top ten to finish seventh.  

The FEI European Championships for Children on Horses finishes with an Individual test, instead of a Freestyle as for the other FEI Youth categories. The complexity is the highest of the three tests throughout the week, something that Ella-Grace capitalised on as she showed hers and Jackson’s skills to great effect.  

The combination were poised and balanced in their work, showing a rhythmical trot tour with well-ridden shoulder-ins, alongside immaculate walk pirouettes which were a real highlight on the score sheet.  

E Hans Voser (SUI – E), Marlena Gruca Rucinska (POL – H), Olivier Smeets (BEL – C) and Kjell Myhre (NOR – B) were unanimous in rewarding the victory and the title of Children on Horses European Champion. The collectives were hugely impressive, 9 for general impression, 8.8 for precision, 8.7 for effectiveness of the aids and 8.5 for rider’s position and seat – all of which were instrumental in Ella-Grace's achievement. The final score for Ella and Jackson was a whopping 79.707%, delivering a moment of memories that will last a lifetime for this talented young rider. 

Talented teams close to podium finishes 

Alongside the gold medal success, Britain’s Pony and Junior teams enjoyed a successful week. Both teams finished a very close fourth, amongst hot competition in both age categories.  

Junior team talisman Myles Graham was consistent at championship level once again with Caroline Bell’s 17-year-old mare Nibeley Union Hit. The combination did not place outside the top seven all week, and completed their week with a super 74.780% in the Freestyle final – concluding their trip to Sentower Park as Britain’s best placed Junior duo.  

Mette Dahl also flew the flag for Great Britain in the Freestyle competition, having gained valuable championship arena time throughout the week with new team partner Fidelio Van Het Bloemenhof (Fidertanz 2 x Jazz) , owned by Fiona Bigwood, Penny Bigwood and Anders Dahl. The combination’s best finish came in the Individual test were they placed ninth with 70.676%.  

Ruby Hughes brought Carl Hester’s beautiful liver chestnut mare Brioso II to the championships. 69.758% in the team test was a respected contribution to the team total, supporting the quartet on their mission to place just a whisker outside the medals. Speaking on Instagram after her Team performance, Ruby expressed thanks to ‘Bella’s’ owner Carl, “I am forever grateful to Carl Hester for his never ending support and allowing me to ride his truly one in a million mare!” 

2023 team medal combination Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa were also part of the squad in 2024; repeating their solid form with a fantastic 70.567% in the team competition. Sadly the combination were eliminated in the Individual test, bringing their FEI European Championships journey this year to an early, unfortunate close, but we’re sure they’ll be back on another day in the very best form.  

Freestyle European Champion George Clooney B.S. had close family at his side at Sentower Park. Ella, full sister to George Clooney, was also a picture of grey beauty for rider Darcey Blaze Marcus – who made her championship debut at FEI Pony level. The combination earned two promising scores of 68.257% (Team) and 67.594% (Individual). 

Evie Head with Lauren Geraghty’s WS Jackson were also rock solid in their performances throughout the week, earning a Team test score of 68.800% and an Individual mark of 69.635%, giving them a new personal best and their highest place finish of 20th place, just missing a spot in the Freestyle final. Evie described the week as “an incredible experience that I'll be forever grateful for.” 

The powerful chestnut pony Steendiek’s Cadillac, owned by Janet Oliver and Katie Oliver – Games, was a reliable partner to Sofia Games, riding at her third FEI European Championships. The combination earned their best score in the Individual test, achieving 68.892% for 25th place. This will be Sofia’s final championships at Pony level and the young rider took to social media after her last test to give heart felt gratitude to her pony, “Caddy has done so much for me and he summed up our time together beautifully. He’s led me to places that I could’ve only dreamed of, I wouldn’t rather have had this journey with any other pony, he has a special place in my heart. It’s the best feeling to leave the arena feeling like you’ve already won with a pony you love.” 

Congratulations and thanks 

Congratulations go to the riders, horses, their grooms, families and support networks for a week of outstanding results, alongside the effort put in to representing Great Britain, not only at the European Championships but throughout the spring season.  

The Childreon on Horses, Pony and Junior teams were supported by Chef d’Equipe Nina Boex, team trainer Peter Storr, team vet Robert Oulton, performance manager Caroline Bell and BD office staff Sharon Weir and Lianne Martin – grateful thanks go to all for playing their part in a successful week.   

Finally thank you to the FEI and the organising team at Sentower Park in Obglbbeek for putting on a fantastic event for our young riders.  

Results  

Children on Horses Preliminary B  
1. Ava Osing and Darjeeling 14, 80.512% (GER)  
2. Britt Kikkert-Van Der Linde and Jerenzo Texel, 80.465% (NED)  
3. Greta Louise Wagner and Fashion Rose, 79.518% (GER) 
12. Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 73.435% (GBR) 

Children on Horses team Test 
1. Esmae Niessen and Dadona Diva, 83.225% (NED) 
2. Ava Osing and Darjeeling 14, 81.559% (GER) 
3. Britt Kikkert-Van Der Linde and Jerenzo Texel, 80.559% (NED) 
9. Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 77.034% (GBR) 

Children on Horses Individual Test  
1. Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 79.707% (GBR) 
2. Lynn Sophie Soddemann and Furst Schwarzenberg MT, 79.057% (GER) 
3. Esmae Niessen and Dadona Diva 78.533% (NED) 

Pony Team Test   
1. Abigail Gray and George Clooney B.S, 75.114% (GBR) 
2. Ingeborg Elizabeth Schou and Fs Calimero, 74.371% (DEN) 
3. Madlin Tillmann and Chilly Morning WE, 74.143% (GER) 
26. Evie Head and WS Jackson, 68.800% (GBR) 
28. Darcey Blaze Marcus and Ella, 68.257% (GBR) 
36. Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac, 67.571% (GBR) 

Pony Team standings  
1. Germany - 220.343 
2. Denmark - 219.457 
3. Sweden - 215.142 
4. Great Britain - 212.171 
5. Netherlands - 211.372 

Pony Individual Test   
1. Madlin Tillmann and Chilly Morning WE, 75.595% (GER) 
2. Abigail Gray and George Clooney B.S, 75.324% (GER) 
3. Hanna Sofie Clauberg and Dacapo B Nrw, 74.298% (GER) 
20. Evie Head and WS Jackson, 69.635% (GBR) 
25. Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac, 68.892% (GBR) 
30. Darcey Blaze Marcus and Ella, 67.594% (GBR) 

Pony Freestyle   
1. Abigail Gray and George Clooney B.S, 80.140% (GBR) 
2. Hanna Sofie Clauberg and Dacapo B Nrw, 77.200% (GER)  
3. Leni-Sophie Gosmann and Diamantini Ea  WE, 76.440% (GER) 

Junior Team Test 
1. Rose Oatley and Sommernacht 7, 76.727% (GER) 
2. Anna Teibel Raben and Sparaday, 73.909% (DEN) 
3. Maria Teresa Pohl and Lennox U.S., 73.636% (GER) 
6. Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit, 72.182% (GBR) 
11. Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa, 70.576% (GBR) 
19. Ruby Hughes and Brioso ,69.758% (GBR) 
21. Mette Dahl and Fidelio van het Bloemenhof, 69.364% (GBR) 

Junior Team standings  
1. Germany - 223.696 
2. Denmark - 216.122 
3. Netherlands - 214.364 
4. Great Britain - 212.516 
5. France - 208.545 

Junior Individual Test 
1. Rose Oatley and Sommernacht 7, 77.147% (GER) 
2. Marie Sohler and Global Player Old, 74.706% (GER)  
3. Yasmin Westerink and Amphitryon, 73.735% (NED) 
7. Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit, 72.000% (GBR) 
9. Mette Dahl and Fidelio van het Bloemenhof, 70.676% (GBR) 
47. Ruby Hughes and Brioso, 64.882% (GBR) 
EL. Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa 

Junior Freestyle 
1. Marie Sohler and Global Player Old, 77.920% (GER) 
2. Yasmin Westerink and Amphitryon, 76.795% (NED) 
3. Alix Von Borries and Feingefuehl, 76.400% (GER) 
6. Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit, 74.780% (GBR) 
14. Mette Dahl and Fidelio van het Bloemenhof, 71.515% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS