Great Britain Emerge Victorious in the Pony Nations Cup of Linz-Ebelsberg
Friday 02 May 2025
Great Britain’s Pony team returned victorious in the first of the season’s FEI Nations Cup Youth competitions in Linz-Ebelsberg, Austria, with a resounding zero score.
Four teams came forward to contend the 1.25m track and Great Britain took a decisive early lead in the first round of the competition on zero faults despite the young team fielding two debutants. With the Netherlands and Germany hot on their heels at the half-way point, and with just one fence in hand the team could not afford to make a mistake.
Pathfinder Lucy Capper, who was part of the winning Pony Nations Cup final team in 2024, set the standard and produced a magnificent double clear with Nicola and Robert Capper’s Oscar Van De Beekerheide.
Next out and making her first team appearance, Raphaela Dawson, riding Karan Dawson’s MHS Glow, made only one error in the first round to come home with a single time fault, before returning with a clear in the second round.
Another team debutant, Henry Leggot, with The Blossom Stud’s Blossom’s Big Claim, kept the momentum up and produced another superbly ridden double clear round, shortly followed by Darcy Breen and her long term partner, the Breen Equestrian’s One Sahara, who also produced a vital clear round. Such was Great Britain’s dominance, that Darcy was not needed to jump again and the team had the victory secured after the other three riders had jumped.
FEI Pony Nations Cup – Linz-Ebelsberg, Austria
Friday, 1 May 2025
1 - Great Britain 0
Lucy Capper & Oscar Van De Beekerheide – 0/0
Raphaela Dawson & MHS Glow – 1/0
Henry Leggot & Blossom’s Big Claim – 0/0
Darcy Breen & One Sahara – 0/WD
2 – Netherlands 5
3 – Germany 8
4 – Italy 15
Great Britain also dominated the Pony Individual competition, claiming the top three placings. Jack Waddington, rode Jacqueline Barrs’ Conella to top spot, with Daisy Day and Shannon’s Joy, owned by Claire Day, hot on their heels in second place, whilst Alfie Diaper rounded out a British top three with Helen Diaper’s PJV Bella.
In the Children on Horses Nations Cup, the team gave a good account in their first Nations Cup of the year, finishing fourth against some strong competition and missing out on a podium placing by just one fault.
Path finder Maisie Riley and TJ Hall Ltd’s Desterly, rode a smooth round one for just three time faults, before the pair saw an unlucky pole hit the ground in round two. Team debutant, Christina Cotton and Monica Cotton’s Chique RV Z saw one fence hit the sand in round one but dug deep and returned with a clear in the second round.
Another team debutant, Lucia Caroline, and new ride Billy Picadilly, owned by David Simpson, returned a score of five faults in each round whilst Lottie Adams and her European Team gold ride, Georgina Adams’ Khaleesi O.L, anchored the team home with an expertly ridden double clear.
Individual honours were also awarded in the Children on Horses Competition. Kitty Adams rode Georgie Strutton’s Goldust V into second place with Eleonora Ljungman and Charlotte Ljungman’s Jamaica EBH just behind them in fourth.
Image credit: Team Myrtill
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