British riders have won gold and silver medals at the European CIC2* Eventing Championships.
Francesca Reid-Warrilow (pictured, above, at Belton Horse Trials) finished on her dressage score to take individual gold at the event, which was held in Helvoirt, the Netherlands, from 20-23 August.
Francesca and her own Dolley Whisper added nothing to their leading dressage score of 40.4 to win.
“It was the first time we had won the individual gold title,” chef de mission Peter Buist told H&H.
“It was quite poignant in a way because the trophy for the individual winner is the Warren Wofford Memorial Trophy.”
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The trophy was donated by Warren’s wife, the late Dawn Wofford, who died in July.
“This is the first time a Brit has won it – she would be thrilled,” he added.
In second place was Germany’s Frank Feldmann on Florenz 64 with a score of 47.1.
Bart Hermans on Gorki van de Pertjeshoeve took Bronze for Belgium on 48.4 penalties.
The British team of six also claimed individual silver on a score of 309.55.
Germany won team gold on 285.35 and Belgium picked up bronze on 315.95.
All competitors at the championships have to be members of a riding club.
The competition is unique as the team dressage involves all six riders performing a team test in the same arena together.
This is followed by the individual dressage, which all team and individual riders then perform.
Tyler Cassells on Grandslam, Danielle Dunn on Zocarla BLH, Sarah Holmes on Lowhill Clover, Emily Prangnell on DHI Beaunesse, Zoe Wilkinson on GHS Calvaruise and Francesca on Whisper made up the British team.
Anthony Clark on Crambamboli and Stephanie O’Neil on Millridge Auroras Diamond competed as individuals.
As well as Francesca’s individual gold, two other British team members also finished in the individual top 10.
A clear showjumping round by Tyler pulled him up from eighth to fourth place.
Zoe went into the final phase in fourth position following the cross-country, but three poles down dropped them to sixth.
Peter said the results were “fantastic”.
“I am very, very pleased – I think they did extremely well,” he told H&H.
“We were in the lead after the team dressage and that is the first time I can remember doing that.”
He added it was also the first time he could remember having a leader after the individual dressage too.
A couple of “blips” on the cross-country saw the team drop to bronze medal position.
Sarah pulled up at the water and they found her horse Lowhill Clover had banged a splint, and Emily and DHI Beaunesse fell at a skinny at fence 17b.
Both horse and rider were uninjured.
Peter added the others had some great cross-country rounds.
“They pulled themselves back up into silver medal position with some really impressive showjumping,” he said.
