Team GBR

After four days of top competition, the Jump Savings British Young Rider Team took their fifth consecutive Team Gold medal yesterday out at the Young Rider Eventing European Championships held in Waregem, Belgium (11-14 September).

The British team fought off the challenge from 11 other nations to take the Gold, beating their nearest rivals, the Germans, by more than 11 points. 19 year-old Laura Collett from Wiltshire and 20 year-old Emily Llewellyn from East Sussex added to the British medal tally by taking Individual Gold and Individual Bronze respectively, beating more than 50 other competitors to the top accolades.  

The exceptionally talented combination of Laura Collett and Rayef, owned by Jason Houghton, lead from start to finish and had only one show jump down to finish on a final score of 47.5. Emily Llewellyn only added one show jump time penalty to their dressage score to finish on 49.8. 

Laura was delighted with hers and Rayef’s performance: “I’m still in shock! Rayef was absolutely amazing all week, I couldn’t fault him.

“I just want to thank everyone who has helped me get my third European Championship title, especially Sam Watson who has been a real motivation to me.”  

Alex Colquhoun, Chairman of the Young Rider Selectors, thoroughly enjoyed the European Championships: “It was an incredibly thrilling championship. There were points when it was quite tight at the top, but all of the riders held their nerve against some really tough competition.

“I am absolutely delighted for the team, Laura and Emily. It is an absolute honour to be involved with such a talented squad of young equestrians.” 

This trip to Belgium has been possible thanks to the unerring support of the UK Sport funded Equestrian World Class Programme, which supports a pathway to success for Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes. The aim is to have in place a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future. The Programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, primarily from the National Lottery, via UK Sport since 1998.

Final Team Competition Results:

1st Great Britain – 160.2

2nd Germany – 172.1

3rd Sweden – 177.6

Final Individual Competition Results:

1st Laura Collett & Rayef (Great Britain) – 47.5

2nd Astier Nicolas & Jhakti du Janlie (Germany) – 48.3

3rd Emily Llewellyn & Pardon Me II (Great Britain) – 49.8 

15th Georgie Spence & Skylight (Great Britain) – 61.8

16th Emily Parker & Treefers (Great Britain) – 62.9

21st Harry Dzenis & Rockin Robin (Great Britain) – 66.8

40th Willa Newton & Neelix (Great Britain) – 94.3

The Jump Savings Young Rider British Eventing squad was made up of the following:
Team of four:

• 19 year-old Laura Collett from Marlborough, Wiltshire on Rayef, owned by Jason Houghton
• 18 year-old Harry Dzenis from Haslemere, Surrey on his own Rockin Robin
• 20 year-old Emily Llewellyn from Heathfield, East Sussex on Pardon Me II, owned by Cindy Llewellyn
• 19 year-old Emily Parker from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire on her own Treefers

Two Individuals:

• 20 year-old Georgie Spence from Chippenham, Wiltshire, riding Skylight, owned by Christopher Jenkin
• 19 year-old Willa Newton from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on Neelix, owned by Joey Newton