The British team returned home victorious from the Student Riding Nations Cup (SRNC) in Pompadour, France earlier this month (14-16 November).
The team of Lauren Innes, Steph Gunn and Ellie Robinson won team gold in the combined competition — which comprises dressage and showjumping — as well as gold in the showjumping and silver in the dressage. This was their best result this season.
In keeping with the tradition of student competitions, riders partnered borrowed horses supplied by the host nation.
Individually, 22-year-old Leeds University dentistry student Ellie Robinson took showjumping silver after a head-to-head battle with Germany’s Esteban Benítez.
“I was really excited to get to the final round of the showjumping,” said Ellie. “We had experienced both fantastic and challenging horses during the previous rounds and I knew the final would be no different. The course was great with some real opportunities to cut inside fence
s and get a good time.”
Harper Adams University student Steph Gunn made it through to the dressage final against Germany’s Malte Eitenmuller, where both competitors rode a prix st georges (PSG) level test and a freestyle test to music. Just 1% separated the top two.
“Getting to the dressage final was a surprise and a bit of a panic as I had little experience riding some of the movements,” admitted Steph. “The horses, the great people and the great parties helped me through!”
Team representative Henry Womersley Smith, said: “We are all extremely pleased with the team’s latest result, which now puts Great Britain in a prime position for the World Finals in Florida next month. I wish the four riders travelling out there the best of luck.”
