Spirits may have been muted in the British eventing camp after our team fifth place in Rio — but fast forward a year, and it's a different story. Union Flags waved furiously as Britain clinched the team gold medal in Strzegom, Poland on Sunday (20 August 2017) at the European Eventing Championships. Here’s how they did it...
Don't miss the full report and analysis from the European Eventing Championships in the 24 August issue of Horse & Hound magazine
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Making her senior squad debut, Ros Canter scores a personal best of 38.6 on the first day of dressage with Allstar B
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Team spirit: Oliver Townend keeps a close eye on the first day of action
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Competing as an individual, Gemma Tattersall rides a spectacular test aboard Quicklook V to place them fourth after the first phase
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Pathfinders: Oliver Townend may have become the discard score due to two run-outs aboard Cooley SRS, but he played a valuable role in sussing out the testing track
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Ros Canter and Allstar B on the way to European team gold in 2017. Picture by Peter Nixon
Ros Canter and Allstar B on the way to European team gold in 2017. Picture by Peter Nixon
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Tina Cook and Billy The Red help Britain to team gold at the European Championships last year. Picture by Peter Nixon
Tina Cook and Billy The Red help Britain to team gold at the European Championships last year. Picture by Peter Nixon
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Nicola Wilson and Bulana tackle Rudiger Schwarz’s 30-fence cross-country track with flair, to finish the second phase in fourth position individually
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Ros holds her nerve for a clear showjumping round on the final day of the action
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All smiles from Tina Cook after piloting Billy The Red to a clear showjumping
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Last to go for the Brits: the spectators hold their breath as Nicola Wilson executes a faultless round to guarantee Britain’s place on the top step of the podium — and an individual bronze for herself
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The Brits are back: an elated crowd join in the celebrations in Poland
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Hankies at the read: it’s an emotional moment when Britain’s support team realise that our eventers have won their first European Championships team gold since 2009
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Back in pole position: Britain take their place on the podium
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