U21 veteran Charlotte Edmonds skilfully rode her own eleven-year-old Holstein gelding, Broomford Locarno, to sweep the board at Addington Manor CDI J-YR in Buckinghamshire, England. Leading to victory for the British young rider team.
In the FEI Waldried Euro Future Cup team test the British stormed home 72 marks in hand over Germany. Although German team members held top placings in the consolation class. A mixed 'Europe' team were third. The winning team boasted four experienced riders, all with previous European medals on two young horses and two more experienced. Charlotte lead the test on 68% and scored 69.18% for a win in the individual, her team-mates of Jodie Lister, Maria Eilberg and Gemma Green fired on all cylinders scoring over 67% each.
The freestyle YR test gave Edmonds another chance for a victory gallop when she scored 74.36% using the same ambitious programme from last year's Europeans. Dutch judge at C, Wim Ernes, said: "Locarno is a marvellous moving horse. The freestyle had a high degree of difficulty and it paid off." Charlotte was equally delighted with Locarno whom she has ridden since a five year old; sporting a smile in the freestyle Edmonds was obviously enjoying herself and finding it easy!
Charlotte is an English undergraduate enjoying her final year contesting young riders and is hot property for the British team. The combination is trained by British Grand Prix rider Nicky Barratt.
British junior Laura Bechtolsheimer, who is trained by resident German trainer Marcus Gribble, proved unbeatable. Her teammates were hot on her heels but experience prevailed as Laura had the final say in every class she contested winning the team competition with Placido on a commanding 68.46%. Seven-year-old Landvogt scored 66.15% assisting a lesser-experienced team into third position. Landvogt kicked back to swap scores with Placido in the individual winning with 69.38%.
Placido dominated the freestyle with a polished 72.01%. German judge Dietrich Plewa was complimentary about Placido: "The freestyle had many highlights with excellent extended trots and canters. His trot has natural cadence."
The British squad members have all benefited immensely from winter training with Henk Van Bergen.
Lorna Edmonds on Manitu N dominated the national pony classes. It is Lorna's last year on ponies and she too will be vying for European medals this year.
Senior squad members turned out to ride a Grand Prix class to enable the young riders to learn, under discussion with other senior riders, helping to bridge the gap from small to big tour. Emile Faurie earned every possible mark on Rascher Hopes scoring 67.25% beating Nicola McGivern on her own talented gelding Active Walero by a handful of marks.
Final selection for the British teams will be at "Go for Gold" day on 5th-6th July 2003 at Addington Manor.
Text by Diana Williams
Images copyrighted: David Charles - No reproduction without permission