Great Britain lands second place in a hard-fought Children-on-Horses Nations Cup of Compiegne
Sunday 21 April 2024
A young British Children-on-Horses squad gave a good account of themselves in their first team competition to take equal second place in a close competition at the Youth Festival in Compiegne, France.
Eleven teams of children aged 12 – 14 faced French course-designer Cedric Longis’ 12-fence 1.25m track and the competition was close from the start with the top seven separated by only two fences at the halfway stage.
Rosie Smith was elected as Britain’s pathfinder and gave the team a confidence boost, coming home clear on TJ Hall’s 14-year-old stallion Fruselli. Honey Bowes made just one mistake for four faults with the Luidam eight-year-old Javas El Cid, while it didn’t go according to plan for Ted Bastian-Mason as the 12-year-old Chacco Bay took exception to the liberally decorated wall. However, anchor Lottie Adams with the eight-year-old Diamant De Semilly daughter Khaleesi OL returned on four faults to keep the team in contention.
“The course was quite technical and, to keep within the time allowed, riders had to take two inside turns to fence two and the wall, which was decorated with a lot of greenery and ferns, something Ted’s horse really didn’t like,” said Chef d’Equipe Clare Whitaker.
The total of eight faults in round one put the team in equal fifth place, two fences behind the leaders Italy and Belgium on a zero score. It was all to play for, and the team hardened their resolve, coping with any pressure admirably to pull themselves up the order from equal fifth to equal second with a magnificent zero score in round two.
Rosie Smith again came out fighting with the eager Fruselli to post a double clear – one of only six of the competition. Honey Bowes followed suit with Javas El Cid and, as Ted was unable to participate in the second round, the result lay on the shoulders of Lottie Adams in the anchor position. Lottie rose to the occasion, delivering a clear round on Khaleesi OL to keep the team on a total of eight faults.
As Britain gained strength, Italy and Belgium faltered second time out, adding eight faults to their round one zero score. Ireland, carrying four faults from round one, gained belief to produce three clear rounds and jump from third to the top of the podium.
“They improved in round two; Rosie has little experience but is a very cool customer, Honey jumped a good second clear and Lottie was very good to come home clear as last to go for the team,” said Clare.
FEI Children-on-Horses Nations Cup – Compiegne, France
Saturday, 20 April 2024
1 - Ireland 4
Eq 2 - Great Britain 8
Rosie Smith & Fruselli – 0/0
Honey Bowes & Javas El Cid – 4/0
Ted Bastian-Mason & Chacco Bay – E
Lottie Adams & Khaleesi OL – 4/0
Eq 2 - Belgium 8
Eq 2 - Italy 8
Image credit: Solenn Ms / Grand Prix Group
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