TEAM FAIRFAX JUNIORS TRIUMPH AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday 26 July 2014
Following on from the strong rounds posted yesterday out at the FEI Children, Junior and Young Rider European Jumping Championships at Arezzo in Italy; the British Junior Team riding under the Team Fairfax banner triumphed earlier on today to take Team Gold.
The team were in joint 1st position overnight on 4 penalties alongside The Netherlands and today was set to be a well fought battle. Round one of the Junior Team Competition should have taken place on Thursday with the medals being decided yesterday, but bad weather meant that competition had to be abandoned. Yesterday saw normal service resumed though with the sun shining once again.
The Team Fairfax Juniors took victory after adding zero penalties to yesterday’s score. The Netherlands were however tough opponents for the Brits and forced them to jump off for the Gold medal; but the team held their nerve and again added nothing to their score. The Netherlands retired from the jump off.
Jake Saywell, aged 17 from Newark, Nottinghamshire with Grand Cru Van Paemel, an 8 year-old bay gelding owned by Rachel Gascoine took the role of pathfinder. This combination has produced a number of solid performances throughout this year and they did so again by producing yet another double clear within the time allowed. This ensured that Great Britain were in a good position from the outset.
Christie Pritchard, aged 17 from Holyhead, Gwynedd with her mother Tracy’s 11 year-old bay gelding Waldemar was drawn next to go and they were to become the dropscore for the team after collecting 16 penalties in round one and 8 penalties in round two.
Millie Allen, aged 16 from Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland with Senator International’s 12 year-old bay gelding Senator Cantino II followed and after producing an uncharacteristic 4 penalty round yesterday, they put in a foot perfect clear today, which Millie was delighted with.
Jessica Mendoza, aged 18 from Chippenham, Wiltshire and Spirit T, a 13 year-old brown mare owned by Sarah Mendoza and John Roberts were the team anchors, a role that they took on in style. As we have become used to seeing with this combination, their precision ensured that another double clear was in the bag for Britain.
Going forward for the Individual medals on offer tomorrow, Jessica Mendoza and Jake Saywell sit in joint pole position alongside 10 other compeitors on zero penalties with Millie Allen just one fence behind in 13th place on 4 penalties.
A total of forty-seven Nations across Europe were invited to contest the Championships and the British Junior Team competed under the guidance of their Chef d’Equipe, Tony Newbery. Competition started on Wednesday 23rd July and Individual medals across all three age groups will be decided tomorrow (Sunday 27th July). The Junior Individual Final will get underway at 07.00am BST, with the Children and Young Rider Individual Finals getting started at 10.45am and 3.00pm BST respectively.
The British Youth teams are sponsored by Fairfax Saddles. It is Fairfax’s primary aim to improve the performance of the competition horse. All the saddles and girths are developed using the most advanced technology and are tested extensively. All research and design work is carried out under the direction of Vanessa Fairfax, an ex-International showjumper and University qualified designer. The company is based in Walsall and manufactures all its own products. For more information, please visit www.fairfaxsaddles.com.
The GB Showjumping Teams are strongly supported by the UK Sport Lottery funded BEF World Class Programme. The teams are further supported by Animo UK, Champion Hats, Next and Toggi.
For further information on the Championships and results, please visit www.arezzoequestriancentre.com.
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