Sisters Jodie and Ellie Hall McAteer win their respective Grand Prix’s in Opglabbeek
Monday 30 May 2016
Sisters Jodie and Ellie Hall McAteer from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire made their parents and GB extremely proud in Opgblabeek, Belgium yesterday when they won both the Children and Pony Grand Prix’s .
A brilliant performance by 16 year-old Jodie Hall-McAteer and Tixylix saw them claim an outstanding win by just 0.11 seconds in what proved to be a hotly contested jump-off. Jodie who won an Individual Silver in addition to a Team Gold at last year’s Pony European Championships in Malmo, Sweden with Tixylix looks set to be just as successful this year. With her having just celebrated her 16thi birthday this will be her last year on ponies and the commitment, focus and drive she showed in the Grand Prix left no-one in any doubt that she is hoping to have the chance to defend her title if not better it.
Just behind her in 3rd place was fellow 16 year-old rider Robert Murphy from Preston, Lancashire with Rainbows Mocha a 10 year-old brown mare owned by Hans Jacobosen making it a great result for GB following on from their Team 2nd in Friday’s Nations Cup competition.
Talking afterwards Jodie commented “Tixylix jumped amazingly and she was feeling great after a little break whilst I did my GCSE’s after the viewing trials at Wales & West. The courses on both days really suited her and also everything was quite upbeat. It has been a great show!”.
Younger sister Eleanor, aged 14 years also made her presence felt in what was her first international appearance at this level. Competing in the Children’s Nations Cup competition on Friday where GB finished 2nd she came out fighting in the Grand Prix to claim the title as her own. Riding the 15 year-old grey mare Dazzle, she produced a brilliant double clear to fight off the opposition, the closest of which came from fellow team rider Sienna Charles, aged 13-years, with father Peter’s 9 year-old grey mare Chaitanya. Lily Freeman-Atwood, aged 14-years, from Shrewsbury with Topsin made it a hat trick for Great Britain by taking 3rd place.
After the Grand Prix Eleanore said “Dazzle has such a kind heart and she has given me loads of confidence. This is my biggest win ever and I’m so lucky to have her”.
For further information and full results on the event please visit www.sentowerpark.com
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