British Showjumping’s Team NAF win Junior Nations Cup in Wierden
Thursday 08 June 2017
The Junior team, riding under their title sponsor banner of Team NAF, got the British campaign off to great start this morning when they took victory in their respective Nations Cup at the Dutch Youngster Festival in Wierden, The Netherlands.
Each horse and rider combination proved to be pivotal in securing GB’s win as they each delivered clear rounds. The team finished on just 4 penalties ahead of Belgium in second on 8 penalties and The Netherlands and Germany in joint third on 16 penalties.
Team trailblazer Jodie Hall Mcateer, aged 17, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire set a great standard when she delivered a superb double clear on board Coquin De Coquerie Z, an 8 year-old bay stallion owned by Mandy Hall. Their performance ensured that the Brits got off to a confident and solid start.
William Fletcher, aged 18, from Faringdon, Oxfordshire was the next to go for the team with Glory Rose, a 9 year-old British bred bay mare owned by Graham Fletcher. William matched Jodie’s first round score when he delivered another instrumental clear for the team. Their second round saw them return with a 12 penalty score which was to become the drop score.
Jack Whitaker, aged 15, from Whatton, Nottinghamshire delivered two strong rounds with Street Hassle, an 11 year-old bay stallion owned by Willow Grace Farms. Jack secured yet another clear for GB in his first round and picked up just 4 penalties when a pole fell in the second round.
Harry Charles, aged 17, from Alton, Hampshire was the team anchor with Vivaldi Du Dom, a 12 year-old chestnut gelding owned by Peter Charles MBE. With the first three riders having gone clear, and the score not able to be bettered, it was decided to give Vivaldi just six jumps and then retire in the first round with a view to keeping him fresh incase a jump-off was required later on. Going into the second round Harry carried the enormous responsibility of knowing that only a clear would guarantee the team a 1st place finish and, as we have become so accustomed to seeing with Harry, he did exactly what was required of him by posting an incredibly stylish clear to give Great Britain and Team NAF the victory they so deserved.
The Young rider team of Chelsea Skelton with Caramba, Leonie Aitkenhead with Clane K, Taisie DeGruchy with Winner of Picobella Z and Millie Allen with Balou Star finished their Nations Cup competition in 6th place on a total of 21 penalties. This was despite a superb double clear delivery by Leonie who produced one of the only three achieved throughout the competition. It was The Netherlands who took 1st place with Italy and Germany hot on their heels taking 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
The Pony and Children’s Nations Cups take place tomorrow, Friday 9th June. The Junior riders will now look forward to their Grand Prix on Saturday 10th June.
For further information on the show and full results, visit www.dutchyoungsterfestival.com.
British Showjumping would like to thank NAF, title sponsors of the Senior Nations Cup Teams along with the Children, Junior and Young Rider teams.
NAF’s premium range of Five Star brands include Superflex, Superflex Senior, PROFEET, Optimum, Magic, Oestress and Respirator Boost with quality at the heart of everything they do. They are a UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme), GMP+ (International Feed Assurance Scheme) and BETA NOPS (Naturally Occuring Prohibited Substances) accredited company and this enables them to guarantee full traceability on all the natural ingredients they utilise in their formulations, which are also selected in compliance with the FEI guidelines for Clean Sport. For further information, visit www.naf-equine.eu/uk/index.jsp.
The GBR showjumping teams are supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme, funded by UK Sport through the National Lottery. The Programme focuses on identifying talent, developing potential and maximising medal-winning performances on the world stage.
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