CHLOE ASTON WINS INDIVIDUAL BRONZE AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday 21 July 2013
The final competition at the European Championships in Vejer de la Frontera saw the Young Riders, aged 21 years and under, fight it out for the three medal positions on offer.
It was Chloe Aston who secured a place for Great Britain on the Podium with Quainton Stud’s 9 year-old chestnut gelding Quiet Easy 4 owned by Quainton Stud with their brilliant performances throughout the championships.
Heading into the final day of competition, Chloe had been sitting in third place with just 1 time penalty. The first round of this afternoon saw them jump clear but unfortunately another time penalty being accrued. With many of the time combinations also having accrued penalties Chloe knew she could still be in with a chance and rode into the arena the second time as focused and determined as ever. However, a fence down and 4 penalties being attached to her score left Great Britain in the fist clenching position of having to wait for the remaining riders to finish before the final positions could be clarified. After a pensive wait the support crew of riders, parents, family, friends and performance team erupted into loud cheers when it became clear that Chloe had done enough to secure a medal.
Two additional riders had qualified for the final competition, namely Pippa Allen and Spencer Roe. Spencer, aged 20 from Linicoln with his mothers (Sally) 9 year-old bay gelding Wonder Why finished in 12th place. Pippa Allen from Stockton-on-Tee’s with her father’s (Peter) 9 year-old bay gelding Cupido Z finished in 15th place.
It was Frank Schuttert from The Netherlands with Winchester HS who took the Gold medal and Martin Fuchs from Switzerland with PSG Future who were awarded Silver.
The performances put in by Chloe were all the more notable, not only due to her age of only 18 years but also, due to the fact that she had only taken over the ride of Nice Easy 4 earlier this year.
Chloe has had considerable success internationally from a young age. From winning the Children's World Championship title on horses when only 14 years old through to her ongoing success on the international stage both as an individual and a team member. 2012 also saw Chloe win a Team European Championship medal when she was on the Junior Team and to win an Individual medal on this, her first year as a Young Rider, only serves to illustrate her talent and commitment to the sport.
The European Championships invited a total of 47 nations across Europe to compete with the British Team contesting the championships under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe and Team Coach Corinne Bracken.
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 once the competition is underway, please visit www.sunshinetour.net.
12v5d1inxqeyb.JPG "Royal Highland Show Set to Deliver Spectacular Showjumping Programme with Over £60,000 Prize Fund")
