Team Great Britain has brought home the gold with a spectacular zero score in the FEI Jumping European Championships for Children, held at Peelbergen in The Netherlands.
Starting off with 20 teams, 11 managed to post a zero score as 103 young riders tackled the challenging 1.25m speed course.
The competition intensified in the next round, narrowing it down to three nations maintaining a clean sheet, including Britain. Stellar performances from Honey Bowes on Javas El Cid, Tabby Morgan-Evans with Bermudez BDA, and Rosie Smith aboard Fruselli kept Britain firmly in the hunt with their impeccable clear rounds.
The top 11 teams then faced course-designer Bart Vonck’s formidable 13-fence, 16-effort 1.30m Team Final track, also open to 91 competitors compiling their individual scores.
Pathfinder Emily Gulliver, despite having eight faults in the previous round, stayed composed and pulled off a flawless clear round on the eight-year-old Glamor, significantly boosting her teammates’ chances.
However, the journey wasn’t entirely smooth for Honey Bowes, as Javas El Cid tapped out three rails, resulting in 12 faults. The pressure was on for the remaining British riders to secure clear rounds to clinch the Team Gold.
Tabby Morgan-Evans, riding the spirited 11-year-old Bermudez BDA, displayed remarkable composure, delivering a stylish clear round. The spotlight then turned to Rosie Smith. Despite her inexperience, Rosie, guided by her Tokyo 2020 veteran mum Holly’s advice, teamed up with TJ Hall’s 14-year-old stallion Fruselli. The pair stormed home clear, securing the gold medal.
“They were absolutely brilliant! There was pressure on Tabby, who is still only 11 years old, and Rosie gave Fruselli a superb ride. I am really proud of them all,” said Chef d’Equipe Claire Whitaker.
Belgium and Spain, both tied on eight faults, faced a nail-biting two-way jump-off for the remaining medals. Belgium clinched Silver with an unbeatable zero score, while Spain took Bronze with eight faults.
Tabby and Rosie are now in prime positions to claim individual medals for Britain, both maintaining zero scores and sharing the top spot with four other riders heading into Sunday’s Individual Final. Emily Gulliver and Glamor are in equal 27th place with eight faults.
FEI Jumping European Championships for Children, Peelbergen, The Netherlands – 20 July 2024
1st Great Britain – 0/0/0
- Emily Gulliver and Glamor – 0/8/0
- Honey Bowes and Javas El Cid – 4/0/12
- Tabby Morgan-Evans and Bermudez BDA – 0/0/0
- Rosie Smith and Fruselli – 0/0/0
2nd Belgium 0/8/0/8 121.54 seconds
3rd Spain – 0/0/8/8 110.61 seconds
