Madison Seedhouse claims her biggest win in Austria
Tuesday 09 May 2023
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Madison Seedhouse scored one of the biggest wins in her career in the Pony Grand Prix with Vaughann De Vuzit at the Lamprechtshausen Youth Festival in Austria.
Thirty-seven riders faced a challenging 1.30m track which tested with technicalities from start to finish. Only two riders from the original field supplied first round clears – both hailing from Great Britain.
“I thought the course was tough with some technical lines when I walked it, so we made a plan to suit Vaughann and I kept to that plan and thankfully it paid off,” said Madison, who credits her other major milestone event winning team bronze in the 2021 Children’s European Championships in Portugal.
Tilly Bamford, 14, drew the short straw as the opening rider and set out to post a competitive target on the Lancer II 13-year-old Lapislazuli, owned by Carole Bamford. It was all going to plan, until the final fence fell. It left the door open for Madison – but the tension was high over this demanding course – she had to go clear to win.
She put any pressure aside to jump a super clear on the French-bred Vaughann to claim victory. Tabitha Kyle was the fastest four in round one to finish fifth on Gangnam Style.
“I was lucky with my draw in the jump off, I went in knowing I had to jump a clear but he’s a naturally fast pony anyway,” said Madison, 16. “He’s super-careful with a big heart, I just knew I had to start with a good rhythm and keep riding forwards and he tried so hard for me.”
The Dexter Leam Pondi 14-year-old, owned by ESM Equestrian, joined Madison 16 months ago.
“He’s everyone’s favourite at home and he loves the bigger rings out here in Europe. He was so consistent all week - jumping clear every day and double-clear in the Nations Cup on Saturday, too,” added Madison. “I’m very grateful to our whole team; to take this win today means a lot for all of us!”
The focus now is on the rest of 2023 – “We’ll keep focused for the rest of the season and hopefully be in with a shot for selection at the Europeans in the summer.”
Lamprechtshausen Youth Festival, Austria – Sunday, 8 May 2023
Pony 1.30m Grand Prix
1st Madison Seedhouse (GBR) & Vaughann De Vuzit – 0/0
2nd Tilly Bamford (GBR) & Lapislazuli – 0/4
3rd Ludovica Camerlengo (ITA) & Orchid’s Anucia 1/-
Image Credit: Equisportif
