British riders feature strongly in the Pony Grand Prix of Compiegne
Sunday 21 April 2024
kjk7q3j4yode.jpg "British riders feature strongly in the Pony Grand Prix of Compiegne")
Britain’s pony riders, winners of the Nations Cup earlier in the week, were denied victory in the Pony Grand Prix at Compiegne’s Youth Festival, France, but filled five of the top seven places.
Aimee Paxton, 15, was best in second place on Las Vegas ahead of Sophia Rogers in third aboard Neil 55 – both members of the successful Nations Cup team on their team debut.
Fifty-two riders came forward over the 12-fence 1.30m track designed by Cedric Longis, but such was the quality here, 14 posted initial clears to access the jump-off. Aimee set a competitive target with the 14-year-old Berlin x Dutch Diamond stallion and looked seemingly unbeatable.
“He’s been amazing all week! It is the first time competing abroad for both us and I’m really pleased,” said Aimee.
The pair were headed only by Sweden’s Mathilda Hansson’s flying round on Helga Th O, smashing the 40 second barrier to win by 3.46 seconds.
Sophia Rogers used her penultimate draw to chase the time on Neil 55, a 12-year-old gelding she took over from her elder sister, Izabella, in February, to slot into third place.
Also jumping double clears – Hollie Gerken finished fifth on Galaxy V, Cater Kerr picked up sixth with Cindy and Ella Spencer guided Gilton Des Islots into seventh.
Pony Grand Prix – Compiegne, France
Saturday, 20 April 2024
1st Mathilda Hansonn (SWE) & Helga Th. O. – 0/0 - 37.91 seconds
2nd Aimee Paxton (GBR) & Las Vegas – 0/0 - 41.37 seconds
3rd Sophia Rogers (GBR) & Neil 55 – 0/0 - 42.62 seconds
5th Hollie Gerken & Galaxy V – 0/0 - 43.79 seconds
6th Cate Kerr (GBR) & Cindy – 0/0 - 44.37 seconds
7th Ella Spencer (GBR) & Gilton Des Islots – 0/0 - 46.70 seconds
.jpg "Ben Maher races to a five-star win in Dinard")
 - Libby Law Photography.jpg "Sophia Rogers lands double gold at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies, adding the individual title to the Team Gold earned two days earlier with Neil 55")
