CONGRATULATIONS TO MILLIE ALLEN - THE NORTH'S GOLDEN GIRL

The British Showjumping Pony Team who ride under the Team Animo banner won both Individual Gold and Bronze medals today at the FEI Pony European Championships in Fontainebleau.

 

It was Stockton-on-Tee’s based 14 year-old Millie Allen with her father’s (Peter) nine year old bay mare Song Girl that took top spot on the Podium.   The combination’s performance had been faultless from their double clear in the Team Competition through to the end of the first round of the Grand Prix earlier today, an achievement that no other combination had managed. Knowing she had a jump in hand as she entered into arena to tackle the second round which would decide the medal positions, Millie with both the determination and confidence of someone way beyond her years showed the rest of Europe exactly how talented she is. 

 

Her nerves must have been shaken when an unlucky lowering of a pole meant that she had now accrued 4 penalties and couldn’t afford anything more than a couple of time faults if she was to secure Gold. However, she ensured that it didn’t phase her and continued to jump a faultless round within the time allowed securing her the Gold that she had so been determined to secure.

 

Relegating the Netherlands to second place with their 7 penalties it was Lisa Nooren with Rock Dee Jay that took the silver. 

 

The Bronze medal was most certainly a nail-biting time for all involved as it was 15 year-old Alex Chitty from Kent and his mother’s (Amy) 10 year-old grey mare Amilie JR Z who found themselves fighting for the position against Switzerland’s Emilie Paillot and Top Jezabel De L’Etape.

 

With both Alex and Emilie carrying 8 penalties it meant another round of jumping for them to decide who was going to take the third place on the podium. With Alex jumping a foot-perfect clear and Emilie having a fence down albeit in a faster time it meant a second position on the podium for Great Britain. An incredible achievement for Alex when you consider he was making his debut at Championship level having only stepped up to British Team competition earlier this year.

 

With all five team members finishing in the top twelve places there was most certainly a lot to celebrate. Talking after the award giving ceremony, British Showjumping Pony Chef d’Equipe said “Our performance throughout the championships has been superb and to have two Individual medal winners on the podium once again just shows what incredible depth of talent we have within the sport. Millie’s performance has been exceptional throughout and as a combination they showcased the pony level of our sport at it’s absolute  best. Alex did incredibly well to secure Bronze when you consider the pressure he would have been under having to go head-to-head and battle for it against Switzerland. I would also like to say that the entire team have been fantastic and to have all five riders finish within the top 12 placings along with bringing home a Team Gold is something that we all, as a nation, should be incredibly proud of.”.

 

Great Britain will be making their return from Great Britain with a medal haul of two Gold Medals and a Bronze having secured a Team Gold on Friday afternoon.

 

Gold:   Millie Allen / Song Girl           – 4 penalties

Silver: Lisa Nooren / Rock Dee Jay   -  7 penalties

Bronze : Alex Chitty / Amilie JR Z      – 8 penalties

5^th        Jessica Mendoza / Tixylix       - 12 penalties

11^th      Beth Adams / Some Like It Hot – 15 penalties

12^th      Amy Inglis / Nils D’Hurl Vent - 16 penalties

 

The British Youth Teams are sponsored by Animo UK.  Animo recognise the need to move with the times and the brand has fast become a ‘must have’ for riders throughout the world. 

Leading the way with their use of technical, breathable and machine washable fabrics, Animo clothing gives freedom of movement, comfort and durability combined with ultimate style. Their website can be found at www.animouk.com
 

The Pony Teams are also supported by the World Class Development Programme who are Lottery funded through UK Sport.

 

 Further information on the show can be found by visiting www.etrier-arbonne.com